CPT 2008 debuts new tobacco, drug/alcohol cessation codes

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers track upcoming CPT changes that could affect reporting of counseling and non-face-to-face evaluation services. It is relevant for practices that document telephone, online, and behavior-change interventions and need to anticipate how annual code set updates may affect workflow and reimbursement.

Article Sections

1. Overview of CPT 2008 preview

   Introduces the draft changes expected in CPT 2008 and explains the general areas of evaluation and management affected. It frames the update for cardiology practices and other clinicians who report these services.

2. Behavior Change Interventions, Individual

   Summarizes the new behavior-change counseling category and the associated guidance discussed in the article. The section focuses on tobacco-related and substance-use-related service reporting at a high level.

3. CPT phone service codes replaced, new code for online evaluations

   Reviews the proposed telephone and online evaluation and management codes and the broader context for non-face-to-face services. It also notes the relationship to older phone and online code categories and anticipated changes in the code set.