There are several upcoming changes in the 2022 Current Procedural Terminology code set that are important for providers to be aware of. In this post, we’ll tell you more about these AMA CPT changes, including the number of new codes, deletions, and revisions.
Before we explore those changes, let’s first go over what the Current Procedural Terminology code set (or CPT) is in the first place.
What is the Current Procedural Terminology Code Set?
Let’s go directly to the AMA for a definition:
“The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes offer doctors and health care professionals a uniform language for coding medical services and procedures to streamline reporting, increase accuracy and efficiency. CPT codes are also used for administrative management purposes such as claims processing and developing guidelines for medical care review.”
There are regular updates and changes to these codes that are important for providers to be aware of. In fact, the CPT® Editorial Panel meets three times a year. During these meetings, they review applications for new codes or revisions to existing codes.
Upcoming AMA CPT Changes
Now, let’s talk more about the upcoming AMA CPT changes and what you can expect in 2022.
First of all, these changes take effect on January 1, 2022. That means now is prime time to discuss these changes and what they could mean for your practice. Additionally, there are 405 editorial changes in the 2022 CPT code set, including new codes, deletions, and revisions.
New codes
Unsurprisingly, many of the 249 new codes in the Current Procedural Terminology code set involve COVID-19 protocols. There are also new codes for reporting therapeutic remote monitoring, principal care management, and codes involving digital medicine services.
Deletions
As for deletions, there are 63 of which will take effect in the 2022 CPT code set.
Revisions
And finally, there are 93 revisions to the 2022 Current Procedural Terminology code set that will also take effect on January 1.
As the AMA explains about these revisions:
“As innovative digital medicine services have quickly expanded in recent years, the CPT code set has responded with a unique educational guide. A new appendix included in the 2022 CPT code set provides a taxonomy for digital medicine services that supports increased awareness and understanding of approaches to patient care through the multifaceted digital medicine services available for reporting in the CPT code set.”
Preparing for these AMA CPT Changes
Understandably, it can be complicated and overwhelming for clinics and practitioners to adapt to these changes. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t important to do so! Compliance is always incredibly important, as is accurate, efficient coding.
The revenue cycle is much more than just billing, claims management, and coding. Unfortunately, if any detail is overlooked, the entire process becomes inefficient. As a result, you risk sacrificing revenue, while also compromising your patients’ experience.
Luckily, with the help of outsourced revenue cycle management services, this can all be a breeze for your practice.
Let the experienced team at RevStream Services help you maximize cash flow, improve claim acceptance rates, reduce the cost to collect, and so much more – all while remaining in compliance with strict security standards.
We work closely with the Department of Labor to ensure the collections and billing process is simplified and fast for practices treating DOL injured employees. In addition to the Department of Labor, our services are specifically suited to a number of other practitioners. These include ABA Therapists, Chiropractic, Primary Care Physicians, and Pain Management doctors.
Ready to learn more? We’d love to talk! Click here to book a call with our team.