Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

The AMA recently released limited, early information on upcoming codes for 2009 and 2010.

Included in these is a new Category III code to describe 3D tracking, 0197T (Intrafraction localization and tracking of target or patient motion during delivery of radiation therapy [e.g., 3D positional tracking, gating, 3D surface tracking], each fraction of treatment).

Details on this new code are limited, but at this point 0197T "is scheduled to be -technical only- and reported with the treatment delivery code," says Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC, co-owner of Coding Strategies Inc. in Powder Springs, Ga., and past president of the American Academy of Professional Coders National Advisory Board. Any type of equipment that provides the services as described by the code descriptor should qualify for 0197T.

Payment for 0197T remains uncertain. "Individual payers will determine reimbursement," Parman notes. "In some cases Category III codes are for data capture only, and do not reimburse," she continues. "And, because Medicare must remain -budget neutral,- if Medicare does pay for this code, the money will have to come from somewhere else."

Gear up now: Rumors suggest that you may be able to report 0197T as early as January 2009, although there are no plans to include the code in the CPT manual until 2010. You can view a partial list of proposed 2009 and 2010 Category III codes at: www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/362/categoryiiimedium.pdf

Keep watching Oncology and Hematology Coding Alert for more information on 0197T and other upcoming codes as it becomes available.