American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Which CPT codes are used for subsequent hospital care?

1. 99221-99223

2. 99231-99233

3. 99241-99245

4. 99251-99255

The correct answer is: 99231-99233

Subsequent hospital care is represented by specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that are designated for the follow-up evaluation and management of patients who are already hospitalized. The codes in the range of 99231 to 99233 are specifically used for this purpose. These codes allow healthcare providers to document and bill for services rendered to patients already admitted to a hospital, where the provider evaluates the patient’s progress, performs necessary examinations, and addresses ongoing treatment needs. The criteria for using these codes typically include considerations such as the complexity of the visit, the patient's condition, and the amount of time spent face-to-face with the patient. Understanding the specific code ranges is important for accurately coding and billing hospital encounters, as well as for ensuring compliance with medical documentation standards. Each code within this range corresponds to different levels of care based on factors such as the medical decision-making involved and the extent of the examination conducted.