We will be soon having lot of updates in CPT codes section for 2024. Every year their are many revision, addition and deletion of CPT codes in CPT codebook. Again in 2024, the CPT codebook will include 230 additional new codes throughout the code book, including the Evaluation and Management section, several Surgery subsections (Musculoskeletal System, Respiratory System, Cardiovascular System, Urinary System, Female Genital System, Nervous System), the Radiology section, and Pathology and Laboratory.

And their will be 70 revised codes, including some E/M code revisions, and 102 deleted codes, primarily pathology and laboratory codes and Category III new technology codes.

E/M CPT codes updates

The E/M CPT codes new updates will include:
• Time ranges will be removed from the office or other outpatient visit codes for codes 99202-99205 and 99212-99215 to align with the format of other E/M codes. Consider the descriptor changes for code 99202: (Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and straightforward medical decision making. When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 15-29 minutes of total time is spent on the date of the encounter minutes must be met or exceeded).

• The portion of physician’s services that may be reported for split (or shared) visits will be defined.
• Reporting instructions will be added for codes 99234-99236 [(hospital inpatient or observation care services) (including admission and discharge services)] when the duration of the visit crosses over two calendar dates.

Musculoskeletal system

Spine surgeons will have three new Category I codes to report for vertebral body tethering at the thoracic level, including code 22836 (Anterior thoracic vertebral body tethering, including thoracoscopy, when performed; up to seven vertebral segments), 22837 ( … ; eight or more vertebral segments) and 22838 (Revision [eg, augmentation, division of tether], replacement, or removal of thoracic vertebral body tethering, including thoracoscopy, when performed). The codes include thoracoscopy, when performed. In addition, Category III codes for vertebral body tethering (0656T and 0657T) will remain in the code set and be revised to describe placement of the devices in the lumbar or thoracolumbar regions.

Percutaneous sacroiliac joint fusion. A new Category I code, 27278, replaces deleted Category III code 0775T for percutaneous sacroiliac joint arthrodesis (fusion) when bone allograft is placed. Code 27278 clarifies that it does not describe placement of a transfixion device across the sacroiliac joint. Instead, report code 27279.

Revised Codes

Codes 28292, 28295, 28296, 28297, 28298 and 28299 are revised to state that they describe hallux valgus correction “with bunionectomy.” Previously, the code language stated: “Correction, hallux valgus (bunionectomy).”

Nervous system CPT code updates

The 2024 CPT manual introduced three permanent codes for integrated neurostimulators: 64596 (Insertion or replacement of percutaneous electrode array, peripheral nerve, with integrated neurostimulator, including imaging guidance, when performed; initial electrode array). There is an add-on code for additional arrays (64597) and code for revisions or removal of the system (64598). Integrated systems don’t require a separate pulse generator.

The new codes triggered revisions to four existing neurostimulator codes. For example: 63685 (Insertion or replacement of spinal neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver, direct or inductive coupling, requiring pocket creation and connection between electrode array and pulse generator or receiver). There are two new Category III codes, also known as T codes, for integrated spinal neurostimulators.

Radiology New CPT updates

PLA CPT Code Changes

There will be several changes to the CPT PLA codes effective 1st Oct 2023 . According to the AMA website, the changes include:

• Revision (0269U, 0271U, 0272U, 0274U, 0277U, 0278U, 0362U), deletion (0066U, 0357U, 0386U, 0397U), and addition of codes (0402U–0419U)
• Addition of duplicate PLA test symbol and parenthetical note to code 0345U
• Addition of the term “quantitative” to the code descriptor for code 0389U
• Correction of abbreviation CAD to CHD for coronary heart disease in the descriptor for code 0401U

Before using the new codes, verify that the payer is prepared to accept them.

Category III CPT Code Changes

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, there will be several additions to the CPT® Category III code set. The changes include:

• Addition (0911T-0815T, 0820T-0858T, 0864T-0866T)  and revision of codes (0517T-0520T), guidelines, and parenthetical notes for various emerging technologies

As these are temporary codes for emerging technologies, payers may not accept them.

Following codes have also been revised and are effective Oct. 1, 2023

0269U Hematology (autosomal dominant congenital thrombocytopenia), genomic sequence analysis of 22 genes, blood, buccal swab, or amniotic fluid
0271U Hematology (congenital neutropenia), genomic sequence analysis of 24 genes, blood, buccal swab, or amniotic fluid
0272U Hematology (genetic bleeding disorders), genomic sequence analysis of 60 genes and duplication/deletion of PLAU, blood, buccal swab, or amniotic fluid, comprehensive
0274U Hematology (genetic platelet disorders), genomic sequence analysis of 62 genes and duplication/deletion of PLAU, blood, buccal swab, or amniotic fluid
0277U Hematology (genetic platelet function disorder), genomic sequence analysis of 40 genes and duplication/deletion of PLAU, blood, buccal swab, or amniotic fluid
0278U Hematology (genetic thrombosis), genomic sequence analysis of 14 genes, blood, buccal swab, or amniotic fluid
0362U Oncology (papillary thyroid cancer), gene-expression profiling via targeted hybrid capture-enrichment RNA sequencing of 82 content genes and 10 housekeeping genes, fine needle aspirate or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, algorithm reported as one of three molecular subtypes

References:

https://pbn.decisionhealth.com/Blogs/Detail.aspx?id=201066