decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2015 Issue 10 (October)
CPT 2016 update: Prepare to change your spine X-ray, prolonged services coding in 2016
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Article Overview
This article summarizes major CPT 2016 updates drawn from the AMA’s professional release, with a focus on musculoskeletal imaging, prolonged E/M services, and a broad set of revisions across multiple specialties. It is useful for physicians, coders, billers, and practice managers who need a high-level view of which sections of the code set changed and what areas may require review before claims processing for 2016.
Why This Topic Matters
These annual CPT updates can affect documentation, claim editing, and code selection across several common service lines. Understanding the scope of the revisions helps practices identify where their coding workflows may need to be updated for the new year.
Article Sections
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Overview of 2016 CPT changes
A summary of the overall volume and breadth of CPT changes for 2016, including the main specialties and service areas affected.
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Radiology and musculoskeletal updates
Discussion of musculoskeletal imaging changes and a deletion in the musculoskeletal section, with attention to general changes in the radiology portion of CPT.
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Evaluation and management prolonged services
A summary of revisions to prolonged service coding and the introduction of new prolonged service codes in the E/M section.
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Additional specialty section changes
A broad tour of changes affecting multiple other CPT sections, including integumentary, pulmonary, cardiology, mediastinum, digestive, urological, nervous, ocular, auditory, pathology/lab, medicine, and Category III services.
What You Will Learn
- Which major CPT sections were updated for 2016
- Which broad service categories saw additions, revisions, or deletions
- How the article frames the impact of prolonged service changes
- Which specialties and practice areas may need code set review
- What kinds of annual code maintenance issues the AMA highlighted
Who Should Read This
- Physician practices
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Orthopedic practices
- Practice managers
- Compliance staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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