AMA CPT® Assistant - 2020 Issue 11 (November)
COVID-19 November Update (November 2020)
November 2020 Special Edition COVID-19 November Update As the flu season approaches and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic persists, the necessity for a single test that measures antigens for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) (eg, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19]) as well as influenza virus types A and B has become apparent. During the November Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ®) Editorial Panel (Panel) meeting, the Panel approved an additional code for the Microbiology subsection of the Pathology and Laboratory section of the CPT code set. To address the ongoing clinical need to report COVID-19 testing, the Panel expedited...
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Article Overview
This article covers a November 2020 CPT® update focused on microbiology laboratory coding during the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season. It explains the context for adding a new CPT code, notes related existing CPT and analogous molecular panel codes, and includes a clinical example and procedure overview tied to the new reporting scenario. It is relevant for laboratory coders, billing staff, and others tracking CPT changes for infectious disease testing.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers understand a timely CPT code update affecting respiratory virus testing workflows and reporting during the pandemic and influenza season.
Article Sections
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November 2020 Special Edition
Introduces the update and frames it within the broader public health and laboratory testing context.
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Microbiology
Presents the CPT microbiology code update and the newly discussed laboratory reporting addition.
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Background
Explains the testing context, references related CPT and analogous molecular panel codes, and discusses the general need for multiplex respiratory virus reporting.
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Clinical Example (87428)
Provides a representative patient scenario associated with the new code.
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Description of Procedure (87428)
Summarizes the general laboratory workflow and reporting context for the example.
What You Will Learn
- The clinical and public health context for a CPT laboratory coding update
- How multiplex respiratory virus testing is being addressed in CPT
- Which related CPT code families are discussed for comparison
- How the article frames a typical clinical scenario and procedure overview
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Laboratory professionals
- Compliance teams
- Physician practice administrators
Codes Discussed
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