Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Practice Exam

The appropriate codes for billing observation services are in the range of 99218-99220. These codes are specifically designated for the initial and subsequent observation care, according to the guidelines established by the American Medical Association (AMA) for evaluation and management (E/M) services.

When a patient is placed in observation status, they typically require a higher level of care and continuous monitoring. The codes in this range indicate the complexity and amount of time spent on a patient in observation care, which includes both the medical decision-making involved and the necessity for these services.

Choosing this set of codes ensures that the physician is properly compensated for the detailed assessment and ongoing management necessary for patients under observation status. These codes are distinguishable from other categories, which might not specifically address the nuances of observation care and could lead to undercoding or misrepresentation of the services provided.