AMA's latest corrections to the 2020 CPT coding manual include remote monitoring codes

by: Julia Kyles, CPC Mar 2, 2020

Did you know: The CPT editorial panel issues corrections to the CPT coding manual and the CPT Changes manual throughout the year? The editorial panel has posted a total of 34 updates to the coding manual since it was released late last year and all changes are effective Jan. 1.

For example, a batch of corrections issued today includes revisions to the guidelines for remote physiologic monitoring treatment management codes 99457 and 99458 to clarify the 20-minute requirement for each code.

Another change that caught our eye involved revisions to the descriptors for the new codes for online E/M services performed by non-physician practitioners (NPPs) who can’t independently report E/M codes (98970-98972).

Here’s the revised descriptor for 98970: Qualified nonphysician health care professional online digital ~~evaluation and management service~~ assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5-10 minutes.

If the new descriptor rings a bell you’re probably thinking of the G codes that CMS created to mimic the CPT codes, such as G2061 (Qualified nonphysician healthcare professional online assessment, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5-10 minutes).

CMS had to create the G codes because Medicare bars some NPPs from reporting E/M services. Despite the CPT code revision, you should continue to report the G codes to Medicare.

And you should continue to monitor the errata page for more changes that can impact your coding.

Blog Tags: AMA

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