decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2017 Issue 9 (September)
Breaking news: CPT 2018 update delivers 4 new E/M codes, mass revisions and updates
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Article Overview
This article summarizes a broad 2018 CPT update covering new, revised, and deleted codes across multiple chapters, along with selected guidance changes and crosswalks from HCPCS to CPT. It is useful for coders, billing staff, and clinical practices that need to understand which parts of the CPT manual changed and what general categories of services were affected. The article also notes new modifiers and highlights updates that may influence reporting workflows for several specialties.
Why This Topic Matters
Annual CPT revisions can affect code selection, charge capture, and payment workflows across many specialties. A high-level map of the changes helps practices identify which sections of the manual deserve a closer review.
Article Sections
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Overview of CPT 2018 changes
Summarizes the overall volume of code changes in the 2018 CPT manual and notes the types of updates included across the book.
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Behavioral health and cognitive-assessment crosswalks
Describes reporting updates involving behavioral health, cognitive assessment, and related CPT-to-HCPCS transitions.
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Observe changes to observation codes
Covers updates to observation-related evaluation and management services and related descriptor clarifications.
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Anesthesia adds, drops codes
Reviews anesthesia chapter additions, deletions, and revisions for selected procedural categories.
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Surgical codes under the knife
Summarizes selected surgical code additions, deletions, and revisions across flap repair, tumor cavity preparation, bone marrow aspiration, bandage application, sinus endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and vascular repair.
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News in the nervous system
Highlights selected nervous system chapter updates involving nerve repair and neurostimulator services.
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Diagnostic, pathology testing updated
Covers imaging and pathology-related updates, including changes to radiology reporting and selected laboratory/genetic testing additions.
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2 new flu codes debut, plus shingles, anticoagulation services
Notes selected medicine chapter additions involving immunization reporting and anticoagulation management services.
What You Will Learn
- Which major CPT 2018 chapters received notable updates
- How the article groups new, revised, and deleted code changes
- Which broad service categories were affected by crosswalks and descriptor revisions
- What types of specialty workflows may need review for 2018 reporting
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Revenue cycle teams
- Clinical documentation staff
- Physician practices
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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