What Ob-gyn Coders Can Expect In The Coming Year

By Author: Angela Martin
Total Articles: 205
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For those searching for a code to reflect PAMG-1 when their ob-gyn wants to determine whether fetal membranes have ruptured, there's good news. CPT 2011 brings welcome relief in the form of 84112, which is among a handful of new codes that could solve tricky claims you may be facing now. Read on and get an idea of what's new for your ob-gyn practice, so that you are all geared up for the coming year.


Gear up for new observation, flu additions


CPT adds to your E/M coding options with the introduction of three new observation codes 99224, 99225, 99226. It's still not clear how CPT will instruct you to bill the subsequent observation codes, but you can get to know a lot from the CPT Symposium, which takes place in November.


On the other hand, no clarification should be required for the new pandemic formulation flu vaccine codes. The CPT 2011 book will feature 90664-90668 (Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation ), codes that went into effect July 1, 2010 (post the six month implementation period which started on January 1, 2010).


But remember ...
... not to use these codes for the regular flu and instead use it for widespread illness. These new codes were created to reflect vaccines that differ in both formulation and cost, which requires differentiation of products.


Sort through radiation implant news


Radiation implant codes figure in new CPT code list and may or may not impact your ob-gyn coding. These are 38900, 49327, 49412, 49418, and 57156. While the rationale behind these additions are not known, the new code 57156 should be good tidings for gyn oncologists who are separately inserting a vaginal device for the later application of brachytherapy as part of endometrial cancer treatment. For details of the work involved, we'll have to wait for the symposium.


Gear up for Cat II, III changes


What's more, CPT will feature new Category II and Category III codes that may impact your ob-gyn coding.


For further details on this and to get on top of all the CPT 2011 changes affecting your ob-gyn coding, sign up for an audio conference and rest assured.