Proposed rule offers a preview of revised codes along with the new

by Julia Kyles, CPC on Jul 26, 2017
Medicare's proposed 2018 physician fee schedule previewed 74 new services that you'll be able to report next year. The new codes are listed in Table 10 of the proposed rule with a placeholder code and NEW in the current work RVU column. However, a closer look at the proposed rule revealed codes that will be revised.
 
For example, Table 10 includes five new nasal/sinus surgical endoscopy codes, but section II.H.4.(8) of the proposed rule provides more detail about the code family. "In October 2016, the CPT Editorial Panel created five new codes (CPT codes 31XX1, 31XX2, 31XX3, 31XX4 and 31XX5) and revised CPT codes 31238, 31254, 31255, 31276, 31287, 31288, 31296, and 31297." CMS states.
 
Table 10 contains the revised descriptor for such codes as 31276 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with frontal sinus exploration, including removal of tissue from frontal sinus, when performed). The current descriptor states the procedure may be performed with or without removal of tissue: "Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical with frontal sinus exploration, with or without removal of tissue from frontal sinus."
 
Other revisions include:
  • Bone marrow aspiration code 38220 is restricted to diagnostic procedures. The descriptor will be revised to state "Diagnostic bone marrow; aspiration(s)." The descriptor for biopsy code 38221 receives a similar refit and becomes "Bone marrow; biopsy, needle or trocar." You'll use the procedure that is currently listed with placeholder 2093X (Bone marrow aspiration for bone grafting, spine surgery only, through separate skin or fascial incision).
  • You won't use 95930 to report glaucoma testing next year. The new descriptor will state "Visual evoked potential (VEP) testing central nervous system except glaucoma, checkerboard or flash, with interpretation and report."
  • Cystourethroscopy (52000) will be a component of colporrhaphy procedures 57240, 57260 and 57265. For example, the descriptor for 57240 will state "Anterior colporrhaphy, repair of cystocele with or without repair of urethrocele, including cystourethroscopy, when performed."
See Part B News' coverage of the proposed physician fee schedule rule for more on the new and revised codes.
Blog Tags: fee schedule, proposed rules
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