2013 CPT CODING CHANGES

January 23, 2013

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Major changes occurred in several code groups effective January 2013.

For Nerve Conduction Velocity tests, the prior series of codes for Motor, Sensory and H–reflex codes have been retired. They are replaced now with codes for the total number of nerves tested. To use the new codes, add the number of units of service coded in the old system, divide the sum by 2, drop any fraction, and that is the new NCV level of service. Or, just count the number of motor, sensory and H –reflex tests done and look up the number on the code descriptors:

For Intraoperative Monitoring, three codes replaced the prior code 95920:

The ACNS has had and will continue to have discussions with CMS to straighten out the confusion that arises from the G–code. When one physician monitors multiple Medicare patients simultaneously, the G–code is used once per moment of the physician’s time. For example, when monitoring two patients for one hour, the physician might chose to code each patient for 30 minutes of monitoring time. In contrast, CPT code 95941 allows for monitoring and simultaneous coding for multiple patients.

For Sleep testing, two new codes now exist for polysomnography in patients under 6 years of age:

For Autonomic Studies, a new code now exists for patient on whom both a Sympathetic and a Parasympathetic test are carried out on the same day.  Previously these were coded separately as 95921 and 95922. Now, if performed on the same day, they are coded as one combined code 95924.