By: Kim Snyder, CPC
MSN Director of Provider Education
Category I Codes
Percutaneous Arteriovenous Fistula Creation
Two new codes will be available for percutaneous or endovascular approaches that describe reporting of less invasive approaches. Endovascular methods include magnets or mechanical capture, which approximate the target vein and artery. Other endovascular procedures may also use balloons or coils to direct blood flow, as well as different imaging methods to guide the endovascular procedure for creating arteriovenous anastomoses.
Currently only codes to describe open surgical arteriovenous anastomosis creation are available.
Neuromuscular Ultrasound
A new code was developed for reporting comprehensive ultrasound of nerves and accompanying structures.
Category III Codes
Four new Category Iii Codes were released early with an effective date of July 1, 2022.
CT Tissue Characterization
Two new codes were created to describe quantitative CT tissue characterization.
Quantitative CT tissue characterization is a new technology that can improve population health strategies and lead to better patient outcomes by using computer algorithms to quantitatively characterize tissues on CT images that could only be subjectively evaluated in the past.
Quantitative MRCP
Two codes are available to describe quantitative MRCP, which will allow the reporting of quantitative evaluation of pancreato-biliary structure anatomy from MR images that produce quantitative data of the biliary tree and pancreatic ducts.
The data can inform radiologist evaluation and interpretation, aid physician decision making, and potentially reduce the time for initiation of targeted treatments and interventions in diseases, such as cholestatic liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, or gallstones.
NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TAXONOMY APPENDIX
A new appendix will be added to the CPT 2023 code book that describe various applications of AI, such as expert systems, machine learning, and algorithm-based medical services and procedures.
The new taxonomy will help to improve understanding of AI and clarify how these services are used by physicians or other qualified health professionals (QHPs). The classification of AI services will be grouped into one of three categories:
- Assistive
- Augmentative
- Autonomous
Code Description Revision
- Current CPT code 76882 Ultrasound, limited, joint or other nonvascular extremity structure(s) (e.g., joint space, peri-articular tendon[s], muscle[s], nerve[s], other soft tissue structure[s], or soft tissue mass[es]), real-time with image documentation will be revised to include the phrase “focal evaluation of”.
- The code descriptions for Somatic Nerve Injection 64415-64417 and 64445-64448 will now be revised to include e “imaging guidance, when performed”.
- A new table will be added with editorial instructions for the appropriate coding for unilateral and bilateral of paravertebral facet injection of the T12-L1 and L1-L2 levels or nerves innervating those joints. Paravertebral Spinal Nerves and Branches codes 64490-64495.
Kim Snyder
Certified Professional Coder, Director of Physician Education
Kim Snyder is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare coding and compliance. She joined Msn Healthcare Solutions in 2016 and currently serves as Director of Physician Education, specializing in the development of educational materials and programs designed to improve complete and compliant documentation.
This educational guide was prepared as a tool to provide education for documentation and coding. It is not intended to affect clinical treatment patterns. The material provided is for informational purposes only. Efforts have been made to ensure the information within this document was accurate on the date of distribution. Reimbursement policies vary from insurer to insurer and the policies of the same payer may vary within different U.S. regions. All policies should be verified to ensure compliance. CPT® codes, descriptions and other data are copyright of the American Medical Association (or such other date of publication of CPT®).All Rights Reserved. CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Proprietary and confidential document. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of MSN Healthcare Solutions, LLC.
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