Healthcare News: October OPPS update introduces new HCPCS codes and billing guidance

Why This Topic Matters

Updates like this can affect outpatient hospital charge capture, code maintenance, and billing workflow planning. Keeping current helps facilities align coding practices with CMS quarterly changes and related guidance documents.

Article Sections

1. October 2021 OPPS quarterly update

   Overview of the CMS quarterly outpatient payment update and the general areas affected by the changes.

2. New procedural HCPCS codes

   Discussion of newly added outpatient procedural HCPCS codes and the service categories they represent.

3. New HCPCS drug codes

   Summary of newly introduced outpatient drug-related HCPCS codes included in the update.

4. Pass-through status updates

   Coverage of drug code changes tied to outpatient pass-through payment status beginning in the effective period.

5. Additional guidance

   References to supporting CMS material for readers who want to review the update in more detail.