Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: I-ve heard that numerous CPT changes are in store for family physicians in 2006. What are some of the big changes I should be aware of?


Florida Subscriber


Answer: CPT 2006 contains numerous FP-impacting code revisions and introductions. Some, like the injection administration (90772, 90782, 90788, G0351) code changes, apply to almost all FP practices. Other sections, such as the nursing facility (99301-99318) revisions, may affect your practice depending on the services and procedures you offer. (See this issue of Family Practice Coding Alert for in-depth coverage of these changes.)

Consider updating your encounter sheet and alerting staff to these additional top changes:

Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Jane M. Dodds, MPH, FACMPE, former president of the Medical Group Management Association's Primary Care Assembly; Christine DuBois, CPC, president for 2005 of Pioneer Valley Coders and coding/compliance coordinator at Western Mass Physicians Associations in Chicopee, Ma; Daniel S. Fick, MD, director of risk management and compliance for the College of Medicine faculty practice at the University of Iowa in Iowa City; Laurie Green, CPC, coding and compliance analyst at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle; and Kent J. Moore, manager of Health Care Financing and Delivery Systems for the American Academy of Family Physicians in Leawood, Kan.