If your practice likes to get ahead of the curve, now’s the time to start getting to know the 2024 CPT codes. The American Medical Association (AMA) released the updated code set on September 8, revealing 230 new codes, 49 deletions and 70 revisions.
Take a look at some of the highlights you’ll find as part of CPT 2024.
Massive COVID-19 Vaccine Overhaul
One major change to CPT 2024 involves how you’re coding COVID-19 immunizations. The AMA has consolidated more than 50 codes for COVID shots, and debuted the new code below, which you’ll use to report vaccine administration:
- 90480 (Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease (COVID-19)) vaccine, single dose)
Unlike in the past, you won’t need a lot of details about the sequencing of the patient’s shots or dosing when you report COVID vaccine administration now, since 90480 will be used for most of your COVID-19 immunizations going forward.
Also on the vaccination front, CPT 2024 is debuting five new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization codes (90380, 90381, 90683, 90679 and 90678). You’ll select the most accurate code from these options based on the dosage administered.
Prep for Time Ranges to Be Removed From E/M Codes
One upcoming change that many coders have been anticipating involves the removal of time ranges from the office-based E/M codes (99202-99215) to align them with the descriptors that are currently in other sections of CPT. For example, code 99203 currently lists a time range of 30-44 minutes, whereas after Jan. 1, 2024, you’ll simply need to spend 30 minutes total service time (or more) to justify reporting this code.
In addition, you’ll find new guidelines to help you determine how to code when patients stay in the hospital over two calendar dates.
You’ll also find new guidelines in CPT 2024 describing what the “substantive portion” of a split/shared E/M visit actually means. When a physician and an advanced practice provider work together to provide an E/M service, you’ll now have a better idea of how to tally each person’s portion of the visit.
Check out Spanish-Language Descriptors
In an effort to be more inclusive, the AMA also added a set of Spanish-language descriptors for over 11,000 services and procedures. This is expected to help Spanish-speaking patients get a better feel for the medical services they’re going to receive so they can be more engaged in their care, the AMA said.
The CPT 2024 code set takes effect January 1, 2024, although some of the new coding changes are expected to take effect before then. Keep an eye on advice from your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) or private insurer on timing of when they plan to start accepting the new codes. In most cases, however, the updated codes and descriptors will take effect as soon as the calendar turns to 2024.
What’s more pressing than the new CPT codes? The updated ICD-10-CM code set takes effect on Oct. 1, 2023. Prep now by joining expert Kim Huey, MJ, CHC, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, CPCO during her one-hour training event, New 2024 ICD-10-CM Codes. Register today!
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