MDS Alert

CMS has released the 2018 therapy code changes. They become effective Jan. 1, 2018, and must be implemented by Jan. 2, 2018.

"This Change Request (CR) updates the list of codes that sometimes or always describe therapy services. The additions, changes, and deletions to the therapy code list reflect those made in the Calendar Year (CY) 2018 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System and Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition (HCPCS/CPT-4). The attached Recurring Update Notification applies to Chapter 5, Section 10.6," saysthe CMs Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in a transmittal dated Nov. 16, 2017.

Make sure your physical therapist and occupational therapist team members know the specifics of these code changes, too, CMS DHHS says:

• addition of the term "initial encounter" to the code descriptors for CPT codes 97760 and 97761,
• creation of CPT code 97763 to describe all subsequent encounters for orthotics and/or prosthetics management and training services, and
• deletion of CPT code 97762.

The new long descriptors for CPT codes 97760 and 97761 are now intended only to be reported for the initial encounter with the patient, CMS DHHS says, and are as follows:

• CPT code 97760 (Orthotic(s) management and training (including assessment and fitting when not otherwise reported), upper extremity(ies), lower extremity(ies) and/or trunk, initial orthotic(s) encounter, each 15 minutes)
• CPT code 97761 (Prosthetic(s) training, upper and/or lower extremity(ies), initial prosthetic(s) encounter, each 15 minutes) CMS will add CPT code 97763 to the therapy code list and CPT code 97762 will be deleted.

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