CPT Release Cycles for Specialized Code Categories (June 2019)

Why This Topic Matters

Knowing when specialized CPT code categories are published and become reportable helps organizations stay current with CPT updates and avoid using outdated code information. The article also points readers to the AMA resources where these category-specific updates are posted.

Article Sections

1. CPT Release Cycles for Specialized Code Categories

   Introduces the purpose of the article and the role of the CPT Editorial Panel in updating specialized code categories. It also distinguishes these categories from the standard annual CPT release cycle.

2. Category I Vaccine-Related Codes

   Covers the vaccine-related portion of the CPT Medicine section and explains the timing framework used for vaccine administration and product codes. It also references the release schedule used for these updates.

3. Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) Codes

   Summarizes the PLA subsection of CPT Pathology and Laboratory and describes its overall publication cadence. The section also points to the related appendix information and update source.

4. Multianalyte Assays With Algorithmic Analyses (MAAA) Administrative Codes

   Reviews the MAAA administrative code category, its placement in CPT, and its general release schedule. It also notes the relationship between proprietary naming information and appendix references.

5. Molecular Pathology Tier 2 Codes

   Describes the Tier 2 molecular pathology category and its role within the broader CPT molecular pathology structure. The section includes the schedule used for early release of these codes and references the unlisted procedure pathway.

6. Category III Codes

   Covers Category III as a temporary CPT category used for emerging technologies and related tracking purposes. It also summarizes the category’s semi-annual publication pattern and update source.

7. Summary

   Provides a high-level recap of the release-cycle differences among the specialized CPT code categories discussed in the article. It also identifies the general AMA resource used to monitor newly released codes.