CPT 2026 · E/M

CPT 99203

Global XXX Active

Office o/p new low 30 min

Effective 2026-04-01 Conv. factor $33.4009

$120.46

National Avg (Non-Fac)

3.52

Total RVU

NCCI Partners

109

MPFS Localities

CPT 99203 Billing & Documentation Guide

CPT code 99203 (Office o/p new low 30 min) is classified under E/M with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 1.6, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 1.76, and a malpractice RVU of 0.16, a total non-facility RVU of 3.52 and facility RVU of 2.14. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $120.46, though rates vary from $106.69 to $146.95 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).

When billing 99203, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 99203 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).

Coding Tips for 99203

Real-world specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team, not generic boilerplate.

New patient 99203 (low complexity) requires 30-44 minutes or low MDM. Most commonly miscoded as 99204 when documentation actually supports 99203 (fewer complaints, stable condition, limited data review).

The new-patient codes skip 99201 (deleted 2021). 99202 is minimal, 99203 is the workhorse for straightforward presentations.

New-patient requires no E/M with the same provider/group/specialty in the past 3 years. Mis-coding established as new is the most audited E/M billing error.

Modifier 25 reminder: When billing this E/M with a same-day procedure (injection, EKG, vaccine administration), append modifier 25 to the E/M and document a separately identifiable problem beyond the routine pre-procedure evaluation. OIG audits show 42% of modifier 25 claims fail documentation review.

Payment Status & Global Period

CMS Status Indicator

Active code (paid under MPFS)

Global Period

XXX

No global period (E/M and other non-procedural services)

MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)

Max units per beneficiary per date of service

Rationale: CMS Policy

Adjudication: Date of Service (Policy)

Source: CMS NCCI MUE Practitioner Services, effective 2026-04-01.

Submitting more than 1 units of 99203 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.

RVU Breakdown, CPT 99203

Component	Non-Facility	Facility
Work RVU	1.6	1.6
Practice Expense RVU	1.76	0.38
Malpractice RVU	0.16	0.16
Total RVU	3.52	2.14
Conversion Factor	$33.4009

2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 99203

State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.

State	Non-Facility	Facility	Range (Non-Fac)	Localities
California	$127.81	$73.27	$121.64 - $146.95	29
Florida	$122.82	$76.58	$117.67 - $128.15	3
Georgia	$116	$72.03	$112.25 - $119.75	2
Illinois	$120.64	$76.1	$115.47 - $125.16	4
Michigan	$116.17	$72.88	$113.15 - $119.18	2
North Carolina	$111.7	$68.7	$111.7 - $111.7	1
New York	$128.82	$77.4	$113.04 - $136.68	5
Ohio	$112.5	$70.42	$112.5 - $112.5	1
Pennsylvania	$117.22	$72.07	$112.46 - $121.97	2
Texas	$116.57	$71.2	$111.9 - $120.48	8

Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.

NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 99203

Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 99203 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.

Partner Code	Relationship	Modifier Allowed	Rationale
0074T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	9	CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction
0115T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0116T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0359T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0360T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0361T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0362T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0362T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0363T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0364T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code

Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 99203

What does CPT code 99203 mean? +

CPT code 99203 represents: Office o/p new low 30 min. It's in the E/M category with a global period of XXX.

What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 99203? +

The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 99203 is $120.46. Rates range from $106.69 to $146.95 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.

What modifiers can I use with CPT 99203? +

E/M codes commonly use modifier 25 (significant separately identifiable E/M on same day as a procedure), 57 (decision for major surgery), 24 (unrelated E/M during global period), 95 (synchronous audio+video telehealth), 93 (audio-only telehealth), and AI (principal physician of record on admission). Surgical modifiers like 50, 51, 59 do not apply to E/M.

What bundling edits apply to CPT 99203? +

This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.