2017 Ob-Gyn Codes Changes – Top 5 Changes You Must Know Of

2017 coding updates will see major changes happening in Ob-Gyn coding, which is why it is important that you stay abreast of these changes well in advance. If you are used to count moderate sedation as inclusive to certain ob-gyn procedures such as image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter, you need to start dusting off 99152-99153 and 99156-+99157, based on who performed this service.

CPT 2017 will bring in 5 specific changes that will impact how one reports Ob-Gyn services, from January onwards. The final version of code changes is yet to come, however details about few new codes is available in 2017 MPFS (Medicare physician Fee Schedule).

Take a look at the 5 key Ob-Gyn coding changes making their way in January 2017:

• Submit Separate Sedation Code For These Services: CPT 2017 will make a singular change to several hundreds of codes, which is removing the moderate sedation “bull’s eye” symbol. There will be new codes to reflect moderate sedation services, depending upon who performs the procedure.
• Laparoscopic Ablation of Fibroids Gets Regular CPT Code: CPT 2013 saw the introduction of 0336T code, which garnered interest of many physicians, owing to the fact that Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) was effective in treating fibroids, resolving symptoms associated with more than 80 percent of patients. This raised the need for this category III code, which allowed data to be collected on its use. CPT 2017 will bring in the regular Category II code, 58674, thereby making it inevitable to delete the code 0336T.
• Rejoice for Combination of CAD, Mammogram Codes: CPT 2017 adds certain codes for diagnostic & screening mammography. CAD (Computer-aided detection) has also become increasingly commonplace. Since coding these two radiological images earlier had been separate and typically performed together, their codes were merged to include CAD in the imaging service rendered when it is performed.
• Underline Dosage, and not Age, for New Flu Codes: CPT 2017 revises the flu codes to remove any reference to the age of the patient. Instead, you should report them according to the dosage that the ob-gyn administers.
• Delete category III code: CPT 2017 will delete the code 0288T (Anoscopy), and there will not be any regular CPT code to replace it.

The following mammography codes are no longer valid:

• 77051, Computer-aided detection (computer algorithm analysis of digital image data for lesion detection) with further review for interpretation, with or without digitization of film radiographic images; diagnostic mammography (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 77052, Computer-aided detection (computer algorithm analysis of digital image data for lesion detection) with further review for interpretation, with or without digitization of film radiographic images; screening mammography (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 77055, Mammography; unilateral
• 77056, Mammography; bilateral
• 77057, Screening mammography, bilateral (2-view study of each breast)

The new flu codes will be:

For more on ob-gyn coding changes, join expert speaker Melanie Witt, as she shares details for the major E/M coding changes, along with new coding opportunities for various Ob-Gyn services. Useful information related to CPT codes updates and deletions will also be taken up during the session.