Digitized, Screening-Mammogram Code Tops Changes for 2002
Published on Thu Nov 01, 2001
Changes to CPT Codes for 2002 will be announced officially in mid-November during the AMA's annual CPT Symposium in Chicago. Although modifications affecting radiology coders are not extensive, a number of the changes are noteworthy, like new mammography and percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation codes, according to Gary Dorfman, MD, FACR, FSCVIR, past president of the Society for Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (SCVIR) and president of Health Care Value Systems in North Kingstown, R.I.
The modifications will take effect Jan. 1, 2002, for Medicare, although it may take longer for other carriers to adopt them. Radiology practices and coders should work closely with other payers to determine when to begin reporting the new codes.
Digital Mammography
CPT 2002 will contain a new code to describe digitization of screening mammography films, Dorfman says. The new code, 76085 (digitization of film radiographic images with computer analysis for lesion detection and further physician review for interpretation, screening mammography [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]), is considered an add-on code and would always be reported with 76092 (screening mammography, bilateral [two view film study of each breast]). It would not be reported with diagnostic mammography studies.
"This new code describes computer-aided detection (CAD) services radiologists might use after conducting a screening mammogram," he says. "Digitization can help the physician better identify abnormalities for further investigation." During digitization, the radiologist loads the mammography films into a CAD processor, which digitizes and analyzes the standard images. The radiologist compares the original screening films with the digitized version and uses both to report relevant findings.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors
CPT 2002 will also contain a long-awaited code to describe percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors, Dorfman explains. CPT 47382 (ablation, one or more liver tumor[s]; percutaneous, radiofrequency) will describe the procedure where the physician guides an RF needle electrode to a tumor within the liver and destroys the lesion percutaneously, as opposed to providing this service through an open wound.
In addition to the procedure, the physician would use one of three types of guidance also described by new codes in 2002 ultrasound (76490, ultrasound guidance for, and monitoring of, tissue ablation), CT (76362, computerized axial tomographic guidance for, and monitoring of, tissue ablation) or MR (76394, magnetic resonance guidance for, and monitoring of, tissue ablation). In each case, these modalities may be used to determine the appropriate approach to the lesion, to position the RF needle electrode within the tumor and, following the procedure, to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment. "Each code, however, will be reported only once per procedure," Dorfman says.
In addition to percutaneous RF ablation of liver tumors, the ultrasound (US) code, 76490, may be assigned to report similar surgical procedures through an open [...]
