99233 Sbsq hosp inpatient/obs high 50
Also known as: subsequent hospital complex, complex inpatient follow-up, high complexity day, subsequent hospital visit level 3, hospital follow-up high, hospital subsequent level 3
Subsequent hospital inpatient or observation care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient with high medical decision-making complexity.
In Plain Language
Complex hospital follow-up; Intensive daily hospital care
Clinical Context
Used for subsequent days of hospital or observation care requiring high medical decision-making complexity, such as management of multiple acute conditions or significant clinical changes.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.40 |
| Total RVU | 2.40 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
E&M codes require documentation of medical decision-making (MDM) complexity or total time spent on the encounter. For 2026, time-based coding includes all physician time on the date of the encounter.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 2.40, this code ranks in the 74th percentile among Evaluation & Management codes — 1.6x the median (1.54). The highest wRVU in this category is 18.46.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 99233?
CPT 99233 (Sbsq hosp inpatient/obs high 50) is a Evaluation & Management code. Subsequent hospital inpatient or observation care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient with high medical decision-making complexity.
Who uses CPT code 99233?
CPT 99233 is used by Hospital Medicine, Critical Care, Internal Medicine. Used for subsequent days of hospital or observation care requiring high medical decision-making complexity, such as management of multiple acute conditions or significant clinical changes.
When is CPT 99233 used?
Used for subsequent days of hospital or observation care requiring high medical decision-making complexity, such as management of multiple acute conditions or significant clinical changes.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.