Office visit · CPT 99202

What is CPT code 99202?

New-patient office visit, straightforward complexity.

By Justin Feldstein · Reviewed 2026-06-15

What it covers

Your first appointment with a provider or practice for a simple, single concern. Because the office is starting your chart from scratch, even a quick first visit gets a new-patient code, which runs higher than the equivalent follow-up. This is the lowest billable level for a new patient and usually reflects a short visit with easy, low-risk decisions. The provider takes a brief history, does a focused exam, and handles one uncomplicated issue.

When you'd see it

You'll see it after a short first visit with a new doctor for something minor, like a rash, a cold, or a single routine question.

Roughly what it costs

$90–$230 commonly billed

A ballpark on the billed amount. After insurance or a negotiated rate, what you owe is often far lower. Always compare against your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).

What's usually billed with it

Often paired with simple in-office services like a blood draw (36415) or a basic lab, each of which gets its own line.

99202 vs 99203

99203 covers a longer or slightly more involved first visit, so a brief, single-issue appointment shouldn't jump to that level. See 99203 (new-patient, low complexity).

What to watch for

The biggest thing to confirm is that you were genuinely a new patient. If you'd seen anyone in that practice (or group) within three years, ask why a new-patient code was used instead of an established-patient one.

Specific things to question

• Whether you were truly new to the practice; if you'd been seen there in the past three years, a new-patient code generally shouldn't apply.
• Whether a quick, simple first visit was billed up to 99203 or higher.
• Whether the same provider already billed a new-patient code for you recently.

How to check this charge on your own bill

Find 99202 on your itemized bill and match it against your EOB. Confirm it appears only once, that any bundled services aren't also billed separately, and that the amount matches what your insurer says it allowed. If something doesn't line up, that's a fair question for the billing office.