Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

You've unwrapped your 2010 CPT book, but you're confronted with "#" and "O" symbols that baffle you.

Don't bother trying to decipher these additions on your own -- your CPT Rosetta stone is here.

Effective for CPT 2010, you'll have two new symbols to learn.

The first of these is the symbol "#" which signifies a resequenced code. "Because CPT is beginning to run out of room within certain code ranges for new codes, the decision was made to put the new code under the correct heading for the type of procedure, but to use the next available number," says Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, COBGC, MA, an ob-gyn coding expert based in Guadalupita, N.M.

Example: For the new and revised urodynamics codes, CPT grouped existing code 51797 with the complex cystometrogram codes. Therefore the CPT book will list them as follows:

-- 51726 Complex cystometrogram (i.e., calibrated electronic equipment);

• 51727 with urethral pressure profile studies (i.e., urethral closure pressure profile), any technique;

• 51728 with voiding pressure studies (i.e., bladder voiding pressure), any technique;

• 51729 with voiding pressure studies and urethral pressure profile studies, any technique;

#+-51797 Voiding pressure studies, intra-abdominal (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure (use 51797 in conjunction with 51728, 51729); and

51741 Complex uroflowmetry.

But if you forget, the book will also list the code in the correct numeric sequence with a note that refers you back to the code grouping where you can find the actual code description. In the example above, the new way would look like: 51792 Stimulus evoked response

51797 Code is out of numerical sequence. See 51725-51798

The second new symbol is "O" which represents a reinstated or recycled code. This allows someone who needs to research old code numbers to identify that CPT previously used the code in question for another purpose, Witt says.

CPT is also becoming more user friendly with regard to quick references, Witt cheers. You'll now find a revised Appendix M, which summarizes cross-walked deleted CPT codes back to 2007, including now any previous rules that applied to those codes, and a new Appendix N, which lists all the resequenced codes.

But if you forget, the book will also list the code in the correct numeric sequence with a note that refers you back to the code grouping where you can find the actual code description. In the example above, the new way would look like:

51792 Stimulus evoked response

51797 Code is out of numerical sequence. See

51725-51798

The second new symbol is "O" which represents a reinstated or recycled code. This allows someone who needs to research old code numbers to identify that CPT previously used the code in question for another purpose, Witt says.

CPT is also becoming more user friendly with regard to quick references, Witt cheers. You'll now find a revised Appendix M, which summarizes cross-walked deleted CPT codes back to 2007, including now any previous rules that applied to those codes, and a new Appendix N, which lists all the resequenced codes. But if you forget, the book will also list the code in the correct numeric sequence with a note that refers you back to the code grouping where you can find the actual code description. In the example above, the new way would look like:

51792 Stimulus evoked response 51797 Code is out of numerical sequence. See 51725-51798

The second new symbol is "O" which represents a reinstated or recycled code. This allows someone who needs to research old code numbers to identify that CPT previously used the code in question for another purpose, Witt says.

CPT is also becoming more user friendly with regard to quick references, Witt cheers. You'll now find a revised Appendix M, which summarizes cross-walked deleted CPT codes back to 2007, including now any previous rules that applied to those codes, and a new Appendix N, which lists all the resequenced codes.