CPT Code 99281: Emergency Department Visit, Level 1

Yes, CPT code 99281 may be used for non-urgent visits, but the patient must still be seen in a qualified emergency room and receive unscheduled or episodic services.

Only a qualified health care professional who evaluates and manages the patient’s condition can report 99281, as long as the service meets the documentation and complexity criteria.

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In the emergency room, healthcare providers assess patients based on presenting symptoms, not on whether they are new or established.