New coding guidance: October NCCI update will revive thousands of code pairs

Why This Topic Matters

The update changes how many services are evaluated for bundling and unit limits, which can affect claim submission, denial patterns, and compliance processes across multiple specialties. It is especially relevant for groups that rely on E/M services, anesthesia, nerve blocks, online E/M, and telephone-based encounters.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the October NCCI update

   Introduces the upcoming CMS update and summarizes the broad categories of edit changes discussed in the article.

2. Highlights affecting anesthesia and pain management practices

   Summarizes the areas of the update that are presented as especially relevant to anesthesia groups and pain management practices.

3. MUEs back at full strength

   Describes the article’s discussion of revised medically unlikely edit settings and the affected service categories.

4. What to tell your staff

   Covers the staffing and operational considerations discussed in connection with the update and related emergency-era policy changes.