In outpatient CDI,MEATis a commonly taught framework used to determine whether a condition is sufficiently supported asreportablefor a specific encounter. MEAT stands forMonitor, Evaluate, Assess/Address, and Treat. The concept is that diagnoses should not simply be copied forward on a problem list; they should be tied to provider work and clinical relevance during the visit. “Monitor” includes reviewing status, trends, or test results related to the condition. “Evaluate” includes ordering or interpreting studies, considering disease progression, or documenting response to therapy. “Assess/Address” includes documenting stability, exacerbation, or risk and making a plan (education, counseling, referrals). “Treat” includes medications, procedures, or other therapeutic interventions. Using MEAT helps CDI staff educate providers to document thecurrent statusand management of chronic diseases, supports accurate coding and risk adjustment, and reduces denials by showing medical necessity. OPPS, MACRA, and RADV are important regulatory/payment terms, but they are not the standard acronym used to assess encounter-level reportability.