CPT 2004

Why This Topic Matters

These CPT 2004 changes affected multiple frequently billed surgical services and required coders to adjust to new terminology, new code groupings, and revised section guidance. Understanding the scope of the update helps reduce reporting errors and supports correct documentation review when transitioning to the revised code set.

Article Sections

1. Central venous access procedures

   Discusses the restructuring of the central venous access section and the broader categories used to organize reporting. The section also addresses documentation concepts and general placement/access distinctions.

2. Adjacent tissue transfer definition revised

   Summarizes the guideline update affecting the adjacent tissue transfer section and how the revised definition changes the way the section is approached conceptually.

3. Endovascular prosthesis placement

   Covers the addition of a new endovascular repair code and the related transition away from an earlier temporary code. The discussion is limited to the broader procedure area and its coding update.

4. Code for Steal syndrome treatment

   Introduces the new vascular surgery code associated with treatment for Steal syndrome and the context in which the procedure is performed.

5. Vein ligation and stripping

   Reviews changes in the vein ligation and stripping section, including new and revised reporting options for varicose vein procedures. It also notes a related unlisted-code situation.

6. Starred procedures

   Explains the removal of the starred-procedure concept and its general impact on billing conventions across payers.