Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Watch for new subsequent observation codes, too.

If your practice provides chemotherapy into the peritoneal cavity using an indwelling port or catheter, your job will get a lot easier starting Jan. 1, 2011.

Why? The AMA has announced the CPT 2011 codes, and they include a code specific to that service: 96446 (Chemotherapy administration into the peritoneal cavity via indwelling port or catheter).

You'll also have new codes describing placement of interstitial devices for radiation therapy guidance, such as the following:

• +49327 -- Laparoscopy, surgical; with placement of interstitial device(s) for radiation therapy guidance (e.g., fiducial markers, dosimeter), intra-abdominal, intrapelvic, and/or retroperitoneum, including imaging guidance, if performed, single or multiple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• +49412 -- Placement of interstitial device(s) for radiation therapy guidance (e.g., fiducial markers, dosimeter), open, intra-abdominal, intrapelvic, and/or retroperitoneum, including image guidance, if performed, single or multiple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 57156 -- Insertion of a vaginal radiation afterloading apparatus for clinical brachytherapy.

E/M: Subsequent day observation care also will get new codes (99224-99226), reportable per day. Pay special attention to these new codes as they will change the way you code an observation stay longer than 48 hours.

Check future issues of Oncology and Hematology Coding Alert for more information on these and other CPT 2011 changes.