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Category I Codes
Percutaneous Arteriovenous Fistula Creation
Two new codes will be available for percutaneous or endovascular approaches that describe reporting of less invasive approaches. Endovascular methods include magnets or mechanical capture, which approximate the target vein and artery. Other endovascular procedures may also use balloons or coils to direct blood flow, as well as different imaging methods to guide the endovascular procedure for creating arteriovenous anastomoses.
Currently only codes to describe open surgical arteriovenous anastomosis creation are available.
Neuromuscular Ultrasound
A new code was developed for reporting comprehensive ultrasound of nerves and accompanying structures.
Category III Codes
Four new Category III codes were released early with an effective date of July 1, 2022.
CT Tissue Characterization
Two new codes were created to describe quantitative CT tissue characterization.
Quantitative CT tissue characterization is a new technology that can improve population health strategies and lead to better patient outcomes by using computer algorithms to quantitatively characterize tissues on CT images that could only be subjectively evaluated in the past.
Quantitative MRCP
Two codes are available to describe quantitative MRCP, which will allow the reporting of quantitative evaluation of pancreato-biliary structure anatomy from MR images that produce quantitative data of the biliary tree and pancreatic ducts.
The data can inform radiologist evaluation and interpretation, aid physician decision making, and potentially reduce the time for initiation of targeted treatments and interventions in diseases, such as cholestatic liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, or gallstones.
NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TAXONOMY APPENDIX
A new appendix will be added to the CPT 2023 code book that describe various applications of AI, such as expert systems, machine learning, and algorithm-based medical services and procedures.
The new taxonomy will help to improve understanding of AI and clarify how these services are used by physicians or other qualified health professionals (QHPs). The classification of AI services will be grouped into one of three categories:
- Assistive
- Augmentative
- Autonomous
Code Description Revision
- Current CPT code 76882 Ultrasound, limited, joint or other nonvascular extremity structure(s) (e.g., joint space, peri-articular tendon[s], muscle[s], nerve[s], other soft tissue structure[s], or soft tissue mass[es]), real-time with image documentation will be revised to include the phrase “focal evaluation of”.
- The code descriptions for Somatic Nerve Injection 64415-64417 and 64445-64448 will now be revised to include e “imaging guidance, when performed”.
- A new table will be added with editorial instructions for the appropriate coding for unilateral and bilateral of paravertebral facet injection of the T12-L1 and L1-L2 levels or nerves innervating those joints. Paravertebral Spinal Nerves and Branches codes 64490-64495.
