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Limit Your CPT® Code Set Updates to January? Here’s Why That’s a Bad Idea

CPT Code Updates January

Guest Post from Deborah Marsh, JD, MA, CPC, CHONC, a senior content specialist for TCI SuperCoder.

Payers don’t accept deleted CPT® codes, so your claims can’t succeed if your medical procedure codes are out of date. But do you know how often you need to update your CPT® code set? It may be more often than you think. Here are some pointers to keep in mind to give your claims their best chance at accurate payment.

Make the Biggest Transition with January Updates

Each year, a new CPT® code set is effective on January 1. For instance, for CPT® codes, 2018 codes will give way to the 2019 code set on Jan. 1, 2019.

If you use an online CPT® code search product, you’ll want to be sure that the updates are searchable January 1. It’s also helpful if the CPT® lookup includes deleted codes (marked with the deletion date) because you use the code set based on the date of service. You may need access to previous code sets to finish filing claims and for working on appeals.

Plan for These Other Regular CPT® Code Set Releases, Too

The AMA, which owns and maintains the CPT® code set, implements certain types of codes more than once a year. You should be aware of these updates and have a strategy for ensuring you have them when you need them. All specialties may see CPT® updates throughout the year, but path/lab coders need to watch for a few special categories that apply to them.

Category III and vaccine codes: Category I vaccine codes and Category III codes (temporary codes for emerging technology and services) are implemented January 1 and July 1. You’ll typically find them posted on the AMA site six months before the codes are effective, giving you time to learn how to apply them.

Category II: Category II codes are tracking codes that you may use for performance measurement programs, like MIPS. The AMA site indicates you may see release March 15, July 15, and November 15, with implementation three months after release.

Molecular pathology tier 2 codes: To help with reporting MoPath procedures, these codes go from approved to effective fairly quickly. After approval by the CPT® Editorial Panel, codes are released to the AMA site March 1, September 1, and December 1. The effective date may be as soon as one month after the release.

Administrative MAAA codes: Similar to the MoPath codes, Multianalyte Assays with Algorithmic Analyses (MAAA) see a quickened schedule. After Panel approval, the codes are released to the AMA site March 1, September 1, and December 1. The effective date is typically one month after release, although some codes are held until the major January 1 update.

PLA: The schedule for proprietary laboratory analyses (PLA) code changes is quarterly, but publication and effective dates have varied as this new-ish type of code got off the ground. For 2018, the effective dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

Tip: This schedule of updates throughout the year is one reason why having an online CPT® code lookup resource is a good idea. Whether it’s in addition to your paper manual or an alternative to it, automatically updated CPT® codes online ensure you have the correct codes available to you.

And Don’t Forget Corrections May Happen Any Time

The AMA posts an Errata and Technical Corrections file on its site, and you need to be sure you check it regularly or make sure your online code-lookup provider incorporates any corrections. Often the AMA posts corrections before code set implementation as people report issues they find while preparing for the transition. But updates and corrections may occur at any point in the year, so don’t assume you can let down your guard early in the year.

Bottom line: Healthcare providers need access to up-to-date CPT® codes to ensure their claims are accurate for the date of service reported. Keeping codes current isn’t as simple as updating once a year in January. Make a plan to update your coding resource or keep an eye on your online coding solution to be sure it’s doing the update work for you.

About the Author

Deborah Marsh, JD, MA, CPC, CHONC, is a senior content specialist for TCI SuperCoder, working on everything from online tool enhancements and data updates to social media and blog posts. Deborah joined TCI in 2004 as a member of TCI’s respected Coding Alert editorial team.

— This post Limit Your CPT® Code Set Updates to January? Here’s Why That’s a Bad Idea was written by Manny Oliverez and first appeared on CaptureBilling.com – Medical Billing Services. Capture Billing is a medical billing company helping medical practices get their insurance claims paid faster, easier and with less stress allowing doctors to focus on their patients.

CaptureBilling.com – Medical Billing Services

J7030–Age limit

I have been getting multiple denials from Medicaid for J7030 for not being paid for age limit. I had 3 accounts and only 1 paid for that code and the patient was 16 years old. The other claims the patients were older and it was being denied. I wanted to know if anyone is having the same issue? I just know this code as a drug and haven’t heard of any guidelines about age limit for J7030 and J7040. Any help is appreciated.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Limit Your CPT® Code Set Updates to January? Here’s Why That’s a Bad Idea

CPT Code Updates January

Guest Post from Deborah Marsh, JD, MA, CPC, CHONC, a senior content specialist for TCI SuperCoder.

 

Payers don’t accept deleted CPT® codes, so your claims can’t succeed if your medical procedure codes are out of date. But do you know how often you need to update your CPT® code set? It may be more often than you think. Here are some pointers to keep in mind to give your claims their best chance at accurate payment.

 

Make the Biggest Transition with January Updates

Each year, a new CPT® code set is effective on January 1. For instance, for CPT® codes, 2018 codes will give way to the 2019 code set on Jan. 1, 2019.

If you use an online CPT® code search product, you’ll want to be sure that the updates are searchable January 1. It’s also helpful if the CPT® lookup includes deleted codes (marked with the deletion date) because you use the code set based on the date of service. You may need access to previous code sets to finish filing claims and for working on appeals.

 

 

Plan for These Other Regular CPT® Code Set Releases, Too

The AMA, which owns and maintains the CPT® code set, implements certain types of codes more than once a year. You should be aware of these updates and have a strategy for ensuring you have them when you need them. All specialties may see CPT® updates throughout the year, but path/lab coders need to watch for a few special categories that apply to them.

 

Category III and vaccine codes: Category I vaccine codes and Category III codes (temporary codes for emerging technology and services) are implemented January 1 and July 1. You’ll typically find them posted on the AMA site six months before the codes are effective, giving you time to learn how to apply them.

Category II: Category II codes are tracking codes that you may use for performance measurement programs, like MIPS. The AMA site indicates you may see release March 15, July 15, and November 15, with implementation three months after release.

Molecular pathology tier 2 codes: To help with reporting MoPath procedures, these codes go from approved to effective fairly quickly. After approval by the CPT® Editorial Panel, codes are released to the AMA site March 1, September 1, and December 1. The effective date may be as soon as one month after the release.

Administrative MAAA codes: Similar to the MoPath codes, Multianalyte Assays with Algorithmic Analyses (MAAA) see a quickened schedule. After Panel approval, the codes are released to the AMA site March 1, September 1, and December 1. The effective date is typically one month after release, although some codes are held until the major January 1 update.

PLA: The schedule for proprietary laboratory analyses (PLA) code changes is quarterly, but publication and effective dates have varied as this new-ish type of code got off the ground. For 2018, the effective dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

 

Tip: This schedule of updates throughout the year is one reason why having an online CPT® code lookup resource is a good idea. Whether it’s in addition to your paper manual or an alternative to it, automatically updated CPT® codes online ensure you have the correct codes available to you.

 

And Don’t Forget Corrections May Happen Any Time

The AMA posts an Errata and Technical Corrections file on its site, and you need to be sure you check it regularly or make sure your online code-lookup provider incorporates any corrections. Often the AMA posts corrections before code set implementation as people report issues they find while preparing for the transition. But updates and corrections may occur at any point in the year, so don’t assume you can let down your guard early in the year.

 

Bottom line: Healthcare providers need access to up-to-date CPT® codes to ensure their claims are accurate for the date of service reported. Keeping codes current isn’t as simple as updating once a year in January. Make a plan to update your coding resource or keep an eye on your online coding solution to be sure it’s doing the update work for you.

 

About the Author

Deborah Marsh, JD, MA, CPC, CHONC, is a senior content specialist for TCI SuperCoder, working on everything from online tool enhancements and data updates to social media and blog posts. Deborah joined TCI in 2004 as a member of TCI’s respected Coding Alert editorial team.

 

— This post Limit Your CPT® Code Set Updates to January? Here’s Why That’s a Bad Idea was written by Manny Oliverez and first appeared on CaptureBilling.com – Medical Billing Services. Capture Billing is a medical billing company helping medical practices get their insurance claims paid faster, easier and with less stress allowing doctors to focus on their patients.

CaptureBilling.com – Medical Billing Services

Good cause for extension of the time limit for filing appeals


The time limit for filing a request for redetermination may be extended in certain situations. Generally, providers, physicians, or other suppliers are expected to file appeal requests on a timely basis. A request from the provider, physician, or other supplier to extend the period for filing the request for redetermination would not be routinely granted.

Note: A finding by the contractor that good cause exists for late filing for the redetermination does not mean that the party is then excused from the timely filing rules for the reconsideration.

Good cause may be found when the record clearly shows, or the beneficiary alleges, that the delay in filing was due to one of the following:

• Circumstances beyond the beneficiary’s control, including mental or physical impairment (e.g., disability, extended illness) or significant communication difficulties;

• Incorrect or incomplete information about the subject claim and/or appeal was furnished by official sources (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), the contractor, or the Social Security Administration) to the beneficiary (e.g., a party is not notified of her appeal rights or a party receives inaccurate information regarding a filing deadline);

Note: Whenever a beneficiary is not notified of his/her appeal rights or of the time limits for filing, good cause must be found.

• Delay resulting from efforts by the beneficiary to secure supporting evidence, where the beneficiary did not realize that the evidence could be submitted after filing the request;

• When destruction of or other damage to the beneficiary’s records was responsible for the delay in filing (e.g., a fire, natural disaster);

• Unusual or unavoidable circumstances, the nature of which demonstrates that the beneficiary could not reasonably be expected to have been aware of the need to file timely;

• Serious illness which prevented the party from contacting the contractor in person, in writing, or through a friend, relative, or other person;

• A death or serious illness in his or her immediate family; or

• A request was sent to a government agency in good faith within the time limit, and the request did not reach the appropriate contractor until after the time period to file a request expired.

Note: Failure of a billing company or other consultant (that the provider, physician, or other supplier has retained) to timely submit appeals or other information is not grounds for finding good cause for late filing. Also, good cause does not exist where the provider, physician, or other supplier claims that lack of business office management skills or expertise caused the late filing.

See also: Time Limits for Each Level of Appeal


Coding Ahead

Charging Medicaid Pts for Chiro visits exceeding the coverage limit?

In California, there is a twice monthly limit on covered benefits for Chiro. If a Medi-Cal (Medicaid) Pt wants additional visits of the sort, are we allowed to chage them? I know that we can charge for uncovered benefits and we frequently do, in dental, particularly. But these are covered ‘optional benefits’ in excess of the limits.
Thanks!:D

Medical Billing and Coding Forum