E/M Coding Alert - 2017 Issue 11
CPT® 2018: Prep Now for These 5 Big Coding Updates Effective Jan. 1
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Article Overview
This article summarizes several CPT 2018 revisions that were scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 and were especially relevant to emergency department and hospital coders. It covers changes to imaging code families, ultrasound descriptor updates, new laboratory codes, a descriptor update for an artery introduction code, and wording changes tied to observation services. The piece is designed to help coders and compliance teams prepare for annual CPT updates and understand the broad areas affected.
Why This Topic Matters
Annual CPT revisions can require workflow, documentation, and charge capture updates. Coders working in emergency medicine, radiology, ultrasound, laboratory, and observation services need to know which code families were changed so they can review internal systems before implementation.
Article Sections
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Overhaul to the Chest X-Ray Section
Discusses broad changes affecting the chest radiography code family in CPT 2018 and the shift in how the section is organized.
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Updates to Abdominal X-Ray Codes
Covers the corresponding CPT 2018 revisions to abdominal radiography coding and the related restructuring of that section.
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Ultrasound of Extremities Descriptors Expand
Reviews the expanded ultrasound descriptor language for extremity and joint-related studies and the documentation themes addressed in the update.
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Update Lab Test, Needle Introduction Codes
Summarizes new laboratory test codes and a descriptor update involving a needle or intracatheter introduction code.
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Subtle Language Change to Observation Codes 99217-99220
Describes wording changes in the observation care section and notes the setting-related implications discussed in the article.
What You Will Learn
- Which CPT 2018 code families were revised for imaging, ultrasound, laboratory testing, and observation care
- How the article frames the scope of the upcoming annual CPT changes
- What broad documentation and setting topics are associated with the updated sections
- Which emergency department and hospital workflows may be affected by the revisions
Who Should Read This
- Emergency department coders
- Hospital outpatient coders
- Radiology coders
- Ultrasound coders
- Laboratory coding staff
- Revenue cycle and compliance teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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