First, CMS stopped recognizing consult codes in 2010. Outpatient consultations (99241—99245) and inpatient consultations (99251—99255) were still active CPT^® codes, and depending on where you are in the country, are recognized by a payer two, or many payers.

• In 2023, codes 99241 and 99251 are deleted. These two low level consult codes were rarely used. There are four levels of office/outpatient consults and hospital consults. These correspond to the four levels of medical decision making.
• CPT has removed the coding tip –and all language– regarding transfer of care.
• CMS is not planning on changing its policy on consultations.

The advantages to using the consult are codes are twofold: they are not defined as new or established, and may be used for patients the clinician has seen before, if the requirements for a consult are met.”

In this article about consultation codes update:

• Category of code for payers that don’t recognize consult codes
• Workflow
• Definition of a consultation–updated with 2023 CPT guidance
• 2023 documentation changes

See E/M changes for 2021 for additional E/M related resources.