The AMA has added a new subsection in the 2024 E/M section addressing how to report E/M services when there are multiple encounters in the same day. (Pages 6 and 7) According to CPT Changes 2024 An Insider’s View, the reason for this was to provide clarification for when multiple E/M services were performed on the same day, in different situations and locations.[1]

The first clarification notes that hospital and observation services are per day codes, and if a patient is seen multiple times that does not constitute multiple visits. Prolonged care codes may be used. This isn’t a change in instructions or how practices use the codes.