Part One of this three-part blog series on the 2022 CPT code set explored the factors driving some of the most noteworthy changes taking effect on January 1, 2022, while Part Two looked more closely at the changes to the Evaluation and Management (E&M) and Surgery sections. Part Three explores the Anesthesia, Pathology and Laboratory, Medicine and Category III sections.
We open the final blog in our 2022 CPT code set update series with a look at changes to the Anesthesia Section, including the addition of six new codes (01937-01942) to the radiological procedure’s anesthesia section. These codes are to be used for percutaneous image guided procedures on the spine and spinal cord and are divided into location: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.
Changes to the Pathology and Laboratory Section includes 32 additions, 44 revisions and three deletions. Most notably, the Pathology Clinical Consultations subsection was revised, new guidelines with an accompanying table established, and four new CPT codes (80503-80506) created to assist users in reporting these services.
The section’s overhaul helps better emulate terminology and services that are used today, including language that identifies choosing a level of service according to the type of Medical Decision Making (MDM) and a notation regarding the amount of time spent for that level of service. Parenthetical notes were added to these new codes to give additional instruction on correct usage.
Medicine Section Revisions
Updates to the Medicine Section include 35 additions, 4 revisions and 10 deletions. Many are related to reporting and tracking COVID-19 vaccinations (Immunization Administration for Vaccines/Toxoids), including vaccine-specific administration codes (0001A-0042A) and vaccine product codes (91300-91304) that “are the model for efficiently reporting and tracking immunizations and administrative services against the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2),” according to AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D.
The AMA also created a new appendix Q that will assist coders in differentiating and selecting the appropriate SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus disease or COVID-19) vaccine product codes and the associated administration code(s). Please note that there are different codes for each vaccine manufacturer.
Other changes to Medicine include:
- Gastroenterology – a conversion of one Category III codes (0355T) to Category I codes (91113) to describe intraluminal colon imaging, also called colon capsule endoscopy.
- Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Defects – a new subsection with new guidelines defining right and left heart catheterization, catheter placement, and injection procedures for congenital heart defects; six new codes (93539-93598) for cardiac catheterization for congenital heart defects; and a new add on code (93598) to report cardiac output measurements.
- Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Services – five new CPT codes (98975, 98976, 98977, 98980, 98981) to report therapeutic remote monitoring.
Category III Changes
Some of the most significant updates were made to Category III, with 72 new codes, seven revisions and 26 deletions. Category III codes are a set of temporary codes to capture emerging procedures, services, and technology and service paradigms. Among the most notable changes are:
- Three new codes (0653T to 0654TT) to report transnasal flexible esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Seven new codes (0664T to 0670T), a new subsection, and new guidelines to report uterus transplantation procedures
- Four new codes (0710T to 0713T) to report noninvasive arterial plaque analyses, a new procedure allowing for early identification of high-risk or vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques prone to rupture
It is the responsibility of coding professionals to keep up to date with these code changes and understand how to apply them beginning with January 1, 2022, discharges/dates of service. Good practice is to review the guideline and code changes in their entirety and make sure all applicable team members – including coders, physicians, and documentation specialists – are educated regarding the code and documentation requirements.
Part One of this three-part blog series explored the factors driving some of the most noteworthy changes. Part Two took a deep dive into the 2022 CPT code set changes to the Evaluation and Management and Surgery sections.
AGS Health offers multiple solutions to prepare your team further for the CPT code updates. We would love to talk to you further about our tools and services to support your team with the use of the numerous code updates and guidelines. Contact us for more information.
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