AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2018 Issue 1; For Your Information
New HCPCS codes for certain drugs, biologicals and radio-pharmaceuticals
There were many HCPCS and CPT code changes, in addition to new HCPCS codes for certain drugs, biologicals, and radiopharmaceuticals created for calendar year (CY) 2018, in addition to changes made to the code descriptors. These changes affected several HCPCS C codes, which were deleted December 31, 2017 and replaced with permanent HCPCS codes. Additionally, hospitals are instructed to pay close attention to the changes in the code descriptors to ensure that the reporting of units of service is consistent with the dosages contained in the long descriptors. The new HCPCS codes and changes to the HCPCS/CPT code and...
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Article Overview
This article summarizes Medicare HCPCS and CPT coding updates for calendar year 2018 related to selected drugs, biologicals, and radiopharmaceuticals. It is useful for hospital coders, billing staff, and reimbursement professionals who need to track permanent code changes, descriptor revisions, and reporting considerations tied to these product updates.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers identify which product-related billing codes changed for 2018 and understand that descriptor updates can affect how services are reported. It is relevant to organizations that bill for injectable, biologic, and other specialty pharmaceutical products and need to maintain accurate charge capture and claims reporting.
Article Sections
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Overview of CY 2018 HCPCS and CPT changes
Introduces the scope of the coding updates for calendar year 2018 and notes that changes include new codes and descriptor revisions across multiple product categories.
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HCPCS code replacement table
Presents the year-to-year code changes for selected products, including transitions from temporary or deleted entries to permanent HCPCS reporting options.
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Descriptor and unit-of-service reporting note
Highlights attention points related to revised long descriptors and unit reporting consistency for affected services.
What You Will Learn
- The general scope of HCPCS and CPT updates affecting selected drug and biologic products for 2018.
- How the article organizes year-to-year code changes for affected products.
- Why descriptor revisions may matter for reporting and billing workflows.
- Which product categories are included in the update summary.
Who Should Read This
- Hospital outpatient coders
- Medical billers
- Revenue cycle staff
- Compliance teams
- Reimbursement professionals
Codes Discussed
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