2018 brings CPT updates to cardiology, laboratory, and Category III codes

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding the scope of these CPT updates helps coding professionals recognize where revisions, additions, and deletions occurred and prepare for workflow changes in affected specialties. The article is relevant for teams supporting cardiology, laboratory medicine, and diagnostic imaging coding.

Article Sections

1. Additions and revisions to cardiovascular procedures

   Covers major CPT changes in cardiovascular coding, including newly added procedure categories and revised reporting structure for several endovascular and cardiac services.

2. Updates to laboratory procedures

   Summarizes new and revised laboratory codes in the 2018 CPT Manual, with emphasis on molecular testing and other evolving lab services.

3. New Category III codes

   Introduces new temporary technology codes and notes the kinds of services they are intended to represent within CPT.

4. Number of chest x-ray codes reduced

   Describes the simplification of chest radiography reporting and the resulting change in how the service is categorized.

5. Summary

   Restates the overall importance of staying current with CPT changes and understanding complex procedures to support accurate claims processing.