Which code corresponds to a new patient exam that no longer exists?

• A. 99201
• B. 99202
• C. 99203
• D. 99204

Answer: (A)

Understanding the changes in CPT E/M coding for new-patient office visits helps explain why one code no longer exists. In 2021, the American Medical Association revised how new-patient evaluation and management visits are coded, eliminating the lowest level. That minimal-new-patient exam code was retired, so it cannot be used for current encounters. What remains are the higher-level new-patient codes, chosen based on the documentation of history, examination, and medical decision making (or time). So the retired code represents the one that used to be the simplest new-patient visit but has been removed from current coding. In historical records you might still see it, but for new patient exams today you would use the next level that aligns with the documentation.