2016 CPT Code Changes

The 300 new, deleted, revised, and converted CPT codes for 2016 are here and you will need to make sure they are loaded in your billing and EMR system(s) on or before January 1, 2016. This is also a great time to upload the 2016 Medicare allowables for your locality and for any payer contracts that apply a multiplier to the current Medicare fee schedule for their own allowables (for instance, XYZ payer pays 125% of 2016 Medicare).

Only a few areas do not have any changes this year – there are no deleted or changed modifiers and there are no changes to the anesthesia chapter of CPT. As for everything else, grab your 2016 CPT code book or digital version and follow along. Note that this is not an all-inclusive list; review your CPT book for complete description of all codes.

Don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the new category three (temporary) codes that may apply to your specialty.

Evaluation and Management Codes (E/M)

Add-on codes for Prolonged Services +99354 and +99355 now apply to prolonged face-to-face outpatient psychotherapy as well as to prolonged face-to-face E/M codes. Use a primary E/M or psychotherapy code, one 99354 (30-74 minutes in addition to the time spent on the initial/primary service) per day and as many units of 99355 as needed to match the time spent. NOTE: check the table in your CPT book to report the correct codes by time. OUTPATIENT ONLY.

Two new add-on Prolonged Services codes have been created. +99415 and +99416 are to be used to report prolonged face-to-face clinical staff service with physician, NP OR PA supervision. Same rules as above. Prolonged codes start at >45 minutes. NOTE: Document what you did and how long you did it. If you are reporting additional procedures, document the time and note that they are excluded from the prolonged service so no one thinks you’re double-dipping. OUTPATIENT ONLY.

Any code with a “+” prefix must be reported with a primary code. These add-on codes can never appear on a claim by itself.

Integumentary System

New: 10035, placement of soft tissue locations devices such as clips, markers, etc., first lesion
New add-on: +10036, placement of soft tissue locations devices such as clips, markers, etc., additional lesions (Not be used for breast, use existing breast codes (19081-19086), w/biopsy (19281-19288)

Musculoskeletal System

Deleted: 21805 – open treatment w/o fixation for rib fracture (Closed treatment or uncomplicated to use E/M code, Open treatment with fixation, use 21811- 21813)

Respiratory System

Revised: 31632 and 31633 bronchoscopy codes now include moderate sedation
Deleted: 31620
New: Bronchoscopy codes with EBUS 31652 (one or two node stations or structures), 31653, (three or more node stations or structures), +31654 (peripheral lesions – look in the CPT book for primary codes this add-on code can be used with)

Cardiovascular System

New: Category III code 0262T has been replaced with 33477, Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation, includes procedure, angioplasty and imaging guidance, supervision and interpretation when performed
Revised: 37184, 37185, and 37186 were revised to include description “non-intracranial vessels”. Fluoroscopy is included.
New: 37211 is for intracranial vessels
Deleted: +37250 and +37251
Newadd-on: +37252 (intravascular ultrasound, initial noncoronary vessel) and +37253 (intravascular ultrasound, each additional noncoronary vessel. Look in the CPT book for primary codes this add-on code can be used with.)
Deleted: 39400
New: 39401 (Mediastinoscopy with biopsy of mediastinal mass, when performed) and 39402 (Mediastinoscopy with lymph node biopsy, when performed)

Digestive System

New: 43210 transoral approach using endoscope, not open, partial or complete

Biliary

Deleted: 47560 and 47561 (see 47579, 47531, or 47532 for percutaneous cholangiography)
Deleted: 47630 (see 47544)
Deleted: 47500, 47505, 47510, 47511, 47525, 47530, 74305, 74320, 74327
New: 47531 Injection procedure for cholangiography, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, existing access and 47532 Injection procedure for cholangiography, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, new access.
New: 47533 Placement of biliary drainage catheter, includes cholangiography, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, external and 47534 Placement of biliary drainage catheter, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, internal-external.
New: 47535 Conversion of external biliary drainage catheter to internal-external biliary drainage catheter, includes cholangiography, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation
New: 47536 Exchange of biliary drainage catheter, all types, includes cholangiography, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation
New: 47537 Removal of biliary drainage catheter, includes cholangiography, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation
New: 47538 Placement of stent into bile duct, includes cholangiography, includes balloon dilation and catheter exchange(s) and removal(s), includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, each stent, existing access
New: 47539 Placement of stent into bile duct, includes cholangiography, includes balloon dilation and catheter exchange(s) and removal(s), includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, each stent, new access, without placement of separate biliary drainage catheter (Handy table for reference in CPT book before this code!)
New: 47540 Placement of stent into bile duct, includes cholangiography, includes balloon dilation and catheter exchange(s) and removal(s), includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, each stent, new access, with placement of separate biliary drainage catheter
New: 47541 Rendezvous Procedure, new access, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation
New add-on: +47542 Balloon dilation of biliary duct, each duct (look for primary codes this can be used with and use modifier -59 if a second unit/duct is treated)
New add-on:+47543 Endoluminal biopsy of biliary tree, single or multiple, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation , report this code once per session
New add-on:+47544 Removal of calculi or debris from biliary ducts or gallbladder, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation (look for primary codes this can be used with)

Digestive System: Sclerotherapy

New: 49815 – one unit per lesion treated, report subsequent lesion(s) with modifier -59

Urinary System: Kidney

Revised: 50387 deleted transnephric ureteral stent and added “nephroureteral catheter”, see 50688 for removal and replacement of externally accessible ureteral stent (removal of stent without a replacement falls under E/M)

Kidney: New Heading Called Injection, Change or Removal

Deleted: 50392, 50393, 50394, 50398
New: 50430 (new access) and 50431 (existing access) both include RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation
New: 50432 and 50433 (new access) both include RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, report one unit of 50432 for each renal collecting system or ureter accessed
New: 50434 (pre-existing nephrostomy tract) and 50435 (exchange catheter), both include RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, report one unit of 50435 for each renal collecting system or ureter accessed
New add-on: +50606 non-endoscopic endoluminal biopsy, once per ureter per day, includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation (look in the CPT book for primary codes this add-on code can be used with)
New: 50693 (placement of ureteral stent, existing access) 50694 (new access separate nephrostomy catheter) and 50695 (new access with separate nephrostomy catheter), all include RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation
New add-on: +50705 (ureteral embolization or occlusion) includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation, once per ureter treated per day (look in the CPT book for primary codes this add-on code can be used with)
New add-on: +50706 (balloon dilation) includes RSI – radiologic supervision and interpretation (look in the CPT book for primary codes this add-on code can be used with)

Male Genital

New: 54437 Penis Repair (repair of urethra may be reported separately)
New: 54438 Penis Replantation, complete amputation (for partially amputated see 54437, for urethra repair see 54310 and 54315)

Nervous System

New: 61645 Mechanical thrombectomy, intracranial
New: 61650 Endovascular intracranial prolonged administration of pharmacologic agents not for thrombolysis, arterial, initial vascular territory
New add-on: +61651 Endovascular intracranial prolonged administration of pharmacologic agents, arterial, not for thrombolysis, each additional vascular territory
Deleted: 64412, use 64999
New: 64461 Paravertebral Block (PVB), thoracic, single injection, includes imaging guidance when performed
New add-on: +64462 Second and any additional injection sites, can only be reported once per day, includes imaging guidance when performed
New: 64463 Continuous infusion by catheter, includes imaging guidance when performed

Eye

New: 65785 Implantation of intrastomal corneal ring segments, revised to state “one session” (Category III code 0099T was replaced by this code)
Revision: 67101 Trabeculoplasty by laser surgery, revised to state “including drainage when performed” and revised to replace “with or without” with “including when performed”
Revision: 67105 Trabeculoplasty, photocoagulation, repair of retinal detachment, revised to state “including drainage when performed” and revised to replace “with or without” with “including when performed”
Deleted: 67112 Retinal detachment, use 67107, 67108, 67110 or 67113 as appropriate
Revised: 67107 Repair of retinal detachment, scleral buckling, revised to replace “with or without” with “including when performed”
Revised: 67108 Repair of retinal detachment with vitrectomy, revised to replace “with or without” with “including when performed”
Revised: 67113 Repair of complex retinal detachment, revised to replace “with or without” with “including when performed”
Revision: 67227 Destruction of extensive or progressive retinopathy, revised to remove “one or more sessions”
Revision: 67228 Treatment of extensive or progressive retinopathy, photocoagulation, revised to remove “one or more sessions”

Auditory System

New: 69209 Removal of impacted cerumen using irrigation/lavage, unilateral
New: 69210 Removal of impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral, NOTE: For removal of non-impacted cerumen, use E/M code, append modifier -50 for bilateral (both ears), do not report 69209 and 69210 for the same ear!

Diagnostic Radiology

Deleted: 70373 (see unlisted code 76499 for contrast laryngography)
Revised: 72080 Spine, thoracolumbar junction, minimum of two views
Deleted: 72069 and 72090
New: Scoliosis Evaluation Codes 72081 (one view), 72082 (two or three views), 72083 (four or five views) and 72084 (minimum six views)
Deleted: 73500, 73510, 73520, 73530 and 73540
New: Hip With Pelvis (when performed) Unilateral 73501 (one view), 73502 (two or three views), 73503 (minimum four views)
New: Hip With Pelvis (when performed) Bilateral 73521 (two views), 73522 (three or four views), 73523 (minimum five views)
Deleted: 73550
New: 73551 Femur (one view) and 73552 (two or more views)
The word “film” has been replaced by “image” in 74240, 74241, 74245, 74246, 74247, 74250 and 74340
New: MRI of Fetus 74712 (single gestation) and +74713 (each additional gestation) only if fetus is imaged

Radiology: Brachytherapy

New: 77767 and 77768 (multiple lesions or channels)
Deleted: 77785 and 77786
New: 77770 (one channel), 77771 (two to twelve channels), 77772 (more than twelve channels)
Deleted: 77776 and 77777 (see 77799 for intermediate service)
Revised: 77778 to include “supervision, loading and handling of the radiation source”

Radiology: Nuclear Medicine

Revised: 78624 to include “imaging study” and “(solid food, liquid food or both)”
New: 78265 (small bowel transit) and 78266 (small bowel and colon transit)

Pathology and Laboratory

New: 80081 addition of HIV testing the standard OB panel (must have all elements of the panel performed to use 80085 or 80081, otherwise must code each test separately
NOTE: Refer to the CPT book for many additional changes

Medicine: Vaccines

Deleted: 13 outdated codes deleted
Revised: 40+ codes reworded to improve clarity
New: 90625 Cholera Vaccine
New: 90697 DTap-IPV-Hib-HepB
New: 90620 Meningococcal, 2 dose schedule
New: 90621 Meningococcal, 3 dose schedule

Otolaryngology

Deleted: 92543
New: 92537 (bilateral, bithermal, 4 irrigations) and 92538 (bilateral, monothermal, two irrigations)

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary

New: 93050 Arterial pressure waveform analysis (Category III code 0311T deleted)
Revised: 94640 “for therapeutic purposes” and includes “sputum induction”

Neurology and Neuromuscular

Deleted: 95973
Revised: 95972 revised to remove the time element

Dermatology

New primary and add-on codes: RCM Codes 96931 (image acquisition, interpretation and report, first lesion), 96932 (image acquisition only, first lesion), and 96933 (interpretation and report only, first lesion), +96934 (image acquisition, interpretation and report, each additional lesion), +96935 (image acquisition only, each additional lesion), and +96936 (interpretation and report only, each additional lesion) NOTE: Technical is image acquisition, Professional is interpretation and report. Both components are included in 96931 and 96934.

Medicine: Other

Revised: Ocular Screening 99174 to include “remote analysis and report”
New: Ocular Screening 99177 onsite analysis

Category III Codes

Sunset Codes: 0103T, 1223T, 0123T, 0223T, 0224T, 0225T, 0233T, 0240T, 0241T, 0243T, 0244T (codes not replaced by a Category I code)
Replaced Codes: 0099T see 65785, 0182T see 0394T and 0395T, 0262T see 33477, 0311T see 93050
New: 0381T (Epilepsy seizure recording up to 14 days with review and report), 0382T (14-day with review and report only), 0383T (Epilepsy seizure recording for 15 to 30 days with review and report), 0384T (15 to 30 days with review and report only), 0385T (Epilepsy seizure recording for more than 30 days with review and report), and 0386T (>30 days with review and report only)
New: Permanent Leadless Pacemaker 0387T (insertion/replacement), 0388T (removal), 0389T (programming), 0390T (evaluation) and 0391T (interrogation)
New: Esophageal Sphincter Augmentation Device 0392T (placement), and 0393T (removal)
New: Electronic Brachytherapy 0394T (skin surface) and 0395T (interstitial or intracavitary)
New add-on: +0396T Implant stability testing during knee replacement
New add-on: +0397T Optical endomicroscopy during ERCP
New: 0398T MRI-guided ultrasound for intracranial lesion ablation
New: +0399T Myocardial strain imaging
New: 0400T (Digital skin lesion analysis, one to five lesions) and 0401T (digital skin lesion analysis, six or more lesions)
New: 0402T Collagen cross-linking of cornea
New: 0403T Behavior change in high-risk patients for diabetes prevention, group setting, 60 minutes per day
New: 0404T Uterine fibroid ablation with ultrasound guidance, radiofrequency,reported once regardless of number of fibroids treated
New: 0405T Thirty minutes or more per month non-face-to-face liver assist care oversight
New: 0406T Nasal endoscopy, placement of drug-eluding implant and 0407T endoscopy with biopsy, polypectomy or debridement

Bringing you the latest healthcare news!

The Manage My Practice Blog keeps our readers up to date with the latest healthcare news, trends and analysis.