99281 Emr dpt vst mayx req phy/qhp
Also known as: ED visit minimal, ER minimum severity, emergency minimal, ED visit level 1, straightforward ER visit
Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient with minimal complexity, where the patient may not require the presence of a physician or qualified health professional.
In Plain Language
Emergency room visit; Quick emergency evaluation
Clinical Context
Used for emergency department visits involving minimal medical decision-making, such as simple lacerations requiring basic wound care or minor complaints with straightforward evaluation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.25 |
| Total RVU | 0.25 |
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 0.25, this code ranks in the 5th percentile among Evaluation & Management codes — 6.2x below the median (1.54). The highest wRVU in this category is 18.46.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 99281?
CPT 99281 (Emr dpt vst mayx req phy/qhp) is a Evaluation & Management code. Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient with minimal complexity, where the patient may not require the presence of a physician or qualified health professional.
Who uses CPT code 99281?
CPT 99281 is used by Emergency Medicine. Used for emergency department visits involving minimal medical decision-making, such as simple lacerations requiring basic wound care or minor complaints with straightforward evaluation.
When is CPT 99281 used?
Used for emergency department visits involving minimal medical decision-making, such as simple lacerations requiring basic wound care or minor complaints with straightforward evaluation.
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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.