Posts Tagged ‘AMA’
AMA Releases New CPT Code Modifier For Audio-Only Telehealth
The American Medical Association (AMA) has released new CPT code modifier 93 for audio-only telehealth services.
Read MoreAMA Releases CPT Codes for Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
Telemedicine Services Are Here to Stay Thanks to COVID-19, Shows Telehealth Billing Statistics
The number of telehealth visits via real-time audio-video communication, as well as audio-only phone calls, skyrocketed in 2020, telehealth billing statistics show, due to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and stay-at-home orders nationwide. Nearly half (43.5%) of Medicare primary visits were done via telehealth in April, compared to just 0.1% in February prior to the public health emergency (ASPE-HHS, 2020).
Read MoreCOVID-19 Antigen Testing Code 87426 Available for Immediate Use from AMA
The CPT code for antigen testing was approved at a special meeting of the CPT Editorial Panel and released with a June 25, 2020, effective date.
Read MoreAMA Releases Two New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Antibody Detection
Perhaps the most important upcoming development in the fight against COVID-19 is detecting antibodies to the infection, and new tests for this purpose are being developed. As these are new tests, existing codes do not reflect these antibody studies. To assist, the CPT Editorial Board has fast-tracked the approval of two new CPT codes for the COVID-19 antibody blood testing (AMA, 2020). The new codes were published April 10, 2020, and are effective immediately. Use of the codes will allow for tracking and reporting of antibody tests specifically for COVID-19.
Read MoreSelecting the Right COVID-19 Code: Should You Use CPT or HCPCS?
On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a declaration of the COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Two days later, the AMA announced the development of a specific code for laboratory testing for the coronavirus, code 87635 (AMA, 2020). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released two new HCPCS codes for coronavirus testing for Medicare claims. The reporting for COVID-19 testing is dependent on the payer, either an HCPCS or CPT code should be used; there should not be more than one COVID-19 testing code on a given claim.
Read MoreCPT Changes for 2020 – Part Two
CPT 2020 changes took effect on January 1, 2020. In Part 2, we continue with a discussion of revisions in the Evaluation and Management, and Medicine sections, along with an overview of updates in the Radiology, Pathology and Laboratory, and the new Category III codes.
Read MoreNew Year, New Codes: 2020 CPT Code Changes
As we turn the calendar to a new decade, the 2020 CPT code changes take effect. This year there are a total of 394 changes to CPT, bringing the total number of codes to 10,471. This includes 248 new codes, 71 deletions, and 75 code revisions, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Series. In this article, we will discuss the changes in the Surgery Section.
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