Radiology Coding Alert

Applying AMA corrections prevents manual typos from leading your claims astray.

AMA’s list of CPT® corrections is a key resource in the fight to keep your coding up-to-date. The list for 2013 isn’t short, but as of publication time, you don’t have any major radiology code corrections to worry about. If you report E/M services, there’s one quick change of note.

In the guidelines for discharge codes 99238-99239 (Hospital discharge day management …), delete the crossed out text: "These codes are to be utilized by the physician …"

Rationale: As with many other codes and guidelines for 2013, CPT® removes the reference to the specific provider type. As a result, the guidelines no longer limit discharge services to physicians. CPT® aims to remain neutral on the question of which provider can report which services, but other rule-making bodies may have their own restrictions (states, payers, etc.) that apply to your claims.

Resource: The AMA updates the corrections document throughout the year, so it’s smart to check it regularly. You can access it from www.ama-assn.org/go/cpt-errata, according to Peter Hollmann, MD, chair of the CPT® Editorial Panel in his CPT® and RBRVS 2013 Annual Symposium presentation, "Moving CPT® Into the Future." Corrections are made based on review and comments from staff, panel, specialty societies, and anyone else with a stake in CPT®, said Hollmann.