CPT 2013 - Use this early analysis of the CPT data set to prepare for changes next year

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers gauge whether the upcoming CPT changes affect their specialty workflows, documentation review, and code familiarity before the full manual is released.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the CPT 2013 data set

   Introduces the early CPT 2013 release and explains that the article summarizes selected revisions rather than the full manual. It also frames the discussion around the specialties and service categories most likely to be affected.

2. Evaluation and Management

   Covers broad E/M guideline revisions and the addition of new management services. The section discusses general changes affecting patient definitions, service supervision, and transitional care reporting.

3. Anesthesia

   Summarizes terminology and guideline updates in the anesthesia section. It focuses on wording changes affecting anesthesia service language and supplied materials.

4. Musculoskeletal

   Notes a change involving a vertebroplasty add-on code and its relationship to sedation guidance. The section addresses how the update fits within the musculoskeletal portion of the CPT data set.

5. Nervous system

   Reviews selected nervous system updates related to pain and migraine treatment, pump management, and peripheral nerve stimulation. It highlights that only a limited set of nervous system revisions appears in the 2013 preview.

6. Radiology

   Describes revisions to cervical spine radiology reporting categories. The section focuses on view-count descriptor changes within spine imaging.

7. Modifiers

   Flags anticipated guidance related to a CPT modifier update. It notes that the final manual is expected to clarify the affected modifier definition.