Debut of 2021 CPT codes includes 200-plus additions, dozens of revisions, deletions

Why This Topic Matters

Annual CPT changes can affect charge capture, documentation review, code selection, and workflow across several service lines. A concise preview helps practices identify which sections of the manual warrant closer attention for the upcoming reporting year.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the 2021 CPT update

   Introduces the scope of the annual CPT release and summarizes the volume of additions, revisions, and deletions. It also notes that supporting guidance accompanies the new code file.

2. Prepare for other key updates

   Provides a broad preview of the major specialty areas affected by the 2021 CPT changes. The section serves as a roadmap for the more detailed code updates that follow.

3. Cardiovascular services increase

   Covers new cardiovascular system entries and related reporting structure changes within the CPT manual.

4. Breast reconstruction

   Summarizes revisions and deletions in the breast reconstruction area and notes changes to terminology and procedure descriptors.

5. Slight tweaks to nervous system codes

   Describes limited edits to nerve block and injection-related entries following prior year revisions.

6. 128 new laboratory codes

   Highlights additions in pathology and laboratory, including therapeutic drug testing and COVID-19-related laboratory entries.

7. Category III codes go unlisted or permanent

   Explains that some category III entries are removed while certain services transition to permanent reporting status. It also references timeline-related changes in external electrocardiographic recording codes.

8. Additional updates to the CPT manual

   Notes further new entries in imaging, nasopharyngoscopy, and other procedural areas.

9. Shoulder debridement demystified

   Discusses expanded arthroscopic shoulder debridement descriptors and how the affected shoulder procedures are differentiated.

10. Lung cancer screening code added

    Covers radiology updates, including a new lung cancer screening entry and revisions to thorax CT reporting language.

11. New ultrasound treatment code for prostate cancer

    Introduces a new urology-related entry for focused ultrasound treatment of malignant prostate tissue.

12. New ob-gyn colposcopy mapping code

    Describes a new add-on entry used with colposcopy procedures for cervical mapping.