Evaluation & Management Study Guide Questions /
Exam Questions with Correct Answers – Latest 2026.
1. What are the two primary methods for selecting the level of
E/M service for office/outpatient visits (99202-99215)?
• A. History and Examination
• B. Medical Decision Making (MDM) or Total Time
• C. Chief Complaint and ROS
• D. Physical Exam and Procedure Codes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under the 2021 and 2024 updates, office/outpatient
E/M code selection (99202-99215) is based on either Medical
Decision Making (MDM) or Total Time. History and exam are no
longer used to determine code level but must still be medically
appropriate and documented .
1
,2. Which of the following is NOT one of the three elements of
Medical Decision Making (MDM)?
• A. Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed
• B. Amount and/or Complexity of Data Reviewed and
Analyzed
• C. Risk of Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality
• D. Extent of History of Present Illness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three elements of MDM are: (1) Number and
Complexity of Problems Addressed, (2) Amount and/or
Complexity of Data Reviewed and Analyzed, and (3) Risk of
Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality. History of Present
Illness is a component of the history, which is no longer a key
component for code selection .
3. An established patient is defined as:
• A. A patient who has never been seen by the practice
2
, • B. A patient who has received professional service from the
physician or another physician of the same specialty and
subspecialty in the same group within the past three years
• C. A patient who was seen within the past year
• D. A patient who has been referred by another physician
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An established patient is defined as one who has
received professional service from the physician or another
physician of the exact same specialty and subspecialty in the
same group within the past three years .
4. Which E/M code does NOT require physician participation in
the visit?
• A. 99202
• B. 99203
• C. 99204
• D. 99211
3
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 99211 is an E/M code that does not require physician
participation. It is often used for services provided by clinical
staff under physician supervision, such as medication
administration or blood pressure checks .
5. What is the 2024 CPT change regarding time for E/M code
selection?
• A. Time ranges have been eliminated and replaced with a
single minimum time for each code
• B. Time is no longer used for code selection
• C. Time ranges have been expanded
• D. Only face-to-face time counts
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CPT has replaced time ranges with a single, minimum
time for each code. Providers must meet or exceed this time to
bill the code based on total time .
4
Exam Questions with Correct Answers – Latest 2026.
1. What are the two primary methods for selecting the level of
E/M service for office/outpatient visits (99202-99215)?
• A. History and Examination
• B. Medical Decision Making (MDM) or Total Time
• C. Chief Complaint and ROS
• D. Physical Exam and Procedure Codes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under the 2021 and 2024 updates, office/outpatient
E/M code selection (99202-99215) is based on either Medical
Decision Making (MDM) or Total Time. History and exam are no
longer used to determine code level but must still be medically
appropriate and documented .
1
,2. Which of the following is NOT one of the three elements of
Medical Decision Making (MDM)?
• A. Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed
• B. Amount and/or Complexity of Data Reviewed and
Analyzed
• C. Risk of Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality
• D. Extent of History of Present Illness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three elements of MDM are: (1) Number and
Complexity of Problems Addressed, (2) Amount and/or
Complexity of Data Reviewed and Analyzed, and (3) Risk of
Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality. History of Present
Illness is a component of the history, which is no longer a key
component for code selection .
3. An established patient is defined as:
• A. A patient who has never been seen by the practice
2
, • B. A patient who has received professional service from the
physician or another physician of the same specialty and
subspecialty in the same group within the past three years
• C. A patient who was seen within the past year
• D. A patient who has been referred by another physician
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An established patient is defined as one who has
received professional service from the physician or another
physician of the exact same specialty and subspecialty in the
same group within the past three years .
4. Which E/M code does NOT require physician participation in
the visit?
• A. 99202
• B. 99203
• C. 99204
• D. 99211
3
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 99211 is an E/M code that does not require physician
participation. It is often used for services provided by clinical
staff under physician supervision, such as medication
administration or blood pressure checks .
5. What is the 2024 CPT change regarding time for E/M code
selection?
• A. Time ranges have been eliminated and replaced with a
single minimum time for each code
• B. Time is no longer used for code selection
• C. Time ranges have been expanded
• D. Only face-to-face time counts
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CPT has replaced time ranges with a single, minimum
time for each code. Providers must meet or exceed this time to
bill the code based on total time .
4
