As with the last few years, we continue to see bundling of procedures that are performed 75% of the time together. We anticipate this to increase, as the focus is now on procedures performed together 50% of the time. Most significant bundling is in the
interventional (Intracranial Endovascular) and
special procedures (Biliary & Urinary) area. Hip and pelvis was also identified this year as well as intravascular US (IVUS).
There are
new codes for Fetal - MRI, percutaneous sclerotherapy of fluid collections, percutaneous placement of a marker for soft tissue localization as well as Nuclear Medicine gastric emptying studies to specify small bowel and colon transit. The Radiation Therapy high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy code set was revised to differentiate between radionuclide skin surface, interstitial and intracavitary brachytherapy.
Most of the
deleted codes were replaced by new bundled codes. Laryngography was deleted due to the service no longer being provided in this fashion.
The
revisions were all wording changes for clarification.
Detailed descriptions of the new, deleted and revised codes are summarized in the
attached document.
Please contact either of us or your MSN representative if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Walt Blackham, MS, RT(R), RCC
Vice President, Coding and Client Services
Work (440) 245-8010
Cell (440) 935-0329
Renée Engle, RCC, FRBMA
Senior Vice President, Client Services
