Which statement is true regarding Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes?

The correct answer highlights that code 99211 requires the presence of a physician, which aligns with the specifics of evaluation and management coding. Code 99211 is considered a low-level E/M service and is typically used for established patients who require a minimal level of care. This code can be used when the visit is conducted by a qualified healthcare professional, including a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. However, it is important to note that while the provider overseeing the service must be present, the complexity and time involved are considerably lower than those associated with higher-level E/M codes.

Other options do not accurately represent the correct usage of the E/M codes. For example, code 99214 is mainly utilized for outpatient settings and requires a higher level of medical decision-making, whereas the inpatient equivalents would be under different codes. Code 99218 applies to initial inpatient care, not observation, and thus cannot be used for that purpose. Lastly, code 99238 is specifically intended for reporting hospital discharge services, not clinic services, which is a common source of confusion among coders and healthcare providers.