AMA CPT® Assistant - 2020 Issue 9 (September)
COVID-19 Coding Update (September 2020)
September 2020 Special Edition COVID-19 Coding Update The effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide is unprecedented and multidimensional. The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ® ) Editorial Panel is tasked with ensuring that CPT codes remain up to date and reflect the latest medical care available to patients. To achieve this, the CPT Editorial Panel has set a precedent for rapidly releasing CPT codes during the pandemic to address this emergent issue. In keeping with this practice, the CPT Editorial Panel approved two new Category I codes and expedited the publication of these new codes to...
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Article Overview
This September 2020 CPT update covers newly issued COVID-19-related coding guidance from the AMA, with emphasis on a new quantitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody test code and a new practice expense code for in-person services during a declared public health emergency. It is aimed at coders, billers, and compliance staff who need to understand the scope of the update, the general circumstances addressed, and the related discussion of reporting context and documentation considerations.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps coding and billing professionals identify a timely CPT update tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency and understand where new codes fit within broader laboratory and practice-expense reporting workflows.
Article Sections
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September 2020 Special Edition
Introduces the special edition and frames the article as a COVID-19 coding update from the AMA CPT Editorial Panel.
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Immunology
Presents the laboratory-related portion of the update and the new CPT code discussed in that section.
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Special Services, Procedures and Reports
Introduces the practice-expense portion of the update and the new CPT code discussed in that section.
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Discussion
Summarizes the broader context for the new codes, including their intended use and general reporting considerations.
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Clinical Example (86413)
Provides a clinical scenario and procedure description associated with the laboratory code.
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Clinical Example (99072)
Provides a clinical scenario associated with the practice-expense code.
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Questions and Answers
Addresses common questions about the related COVID-19 antibody testing codes, public health emergency context, documentation, and related reporting considerations.
What You Will Learn
- What the September 2020 CPT COVID-19 update covers
- How the article frames new CPT additions related to laboratory testing and practice expenses
- What general topics are addressed in the discussion and Q&A sections
- Which organizations and public-health context are associated with the update
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Revenue cycle teams
- Clinical documentation staff
Codes Discussed
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