Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
AMA Confirms Category III Codes for QST in CPT 2006
Continue using July 1 guidelines and codes 0106T-0110T Remember: If you haven't already tossed out unlisted procedure code 95999 (Unlisted neurological or neuromuscular diagnostic procedure) for QST, now is the time. Even though many payers will not reimburse for category III codes, AMA stresses that if a category III code is available for a specific procedure, it must be reported instead of a category I unlisted code.
Good news: You can still turn to 0106T-0110T for your quantitative sensory testing (QST) claims in 2006.
CPT 2006 keeps the same codes and descriptors for QST that the AMA originally released on January 1 and that you have most likely been using since July 1:
- 0106T--Quantitative sensory testing (QST), testing and interpretation per extremity; using touch pressure stimuli to assess large diameter sensation
- 0107T---using vibration stimuli to assess large diameter fiber sensation
- 0108T---using cooling stimuli to assess small nerve fiber sensation and hyperalgesia
- 0109T---using heat-pain stimuli to assess small nerve fiber sensation and hyperalgesia
- 0110T---using other stimuli to assess sensation.
Learn more: For a more detailed description of how to report QST, review -QST Gains Category III Status- in Neurology Coding Alert, November 2005.
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