CPT® 2013: From X-rays to Thrombolysis, CPT® Holds Many Changes for Radiology Practices Next Year

Why This Topic Matters

Radiology coding often changes when CPT adds, revises, or deletes service categories. Understanding these updates helps practices review documentation, recognize which services are affected, and prepare for annual coding transitions.

Article Sections

1. Overview

   Introduces the scope of the CPT 2013 radiology updates and frames the article as a preparation guide for the new code year.

2. Fluid removal from chest

   Covers changes affecting pleural fluid removal, including deletions, replacements, and related procedural updates.

3. Catheter introduction

   Summarizes updates tied to catheter introduction services and associated reporting changes.

4. Cervical, cerebral, and carotid angiography

   Describes new and deleted reporting structure for angiography services involving cervical, cerebral, and carotid vascular imaging.

5. Transcatheter foreign body retrieval

   Addresses revised reporting for foreign body retrieval procedures and related imaging services.

6. Transcatheter therapy infusion

   Reviews thrombolysis-related reporting changes, including new service categories and revisions to associated imaging reporting.

7. Spine X-ray

   Notes clarification to cervical spine X-ray view requirements in revised reporting language.

8. Other qualified professional

   Summarizes terminology updates replacing physician-only wording with broader professional language across multiple code groups.

9. Thyroid and parathyroid imaging

   Covers changes to thyroid uptake and imaging reporting and to parathyroid imaging options across multiple modalities.