1. Procedural Coding: Introduction to CPT Chapter 5 Lecture 2

2. 5.3 Format and Symbols
5-10
CPT uses a semicolon and indentions when a common part of a main entry applies to entries that follow (p153)
Some codes and descriptors are followed by indented see or use entries in parentheses, which refer the coder to other codes (p153)
Descriptors often contain clarifying examples in parentheses, sometimes with the abbreviation e.g. (p154)
Learning Outcome: 5.3 Summarize the format and seven of the symbols that are used in CPT.
Pages:
Provide students with some examples of see or use entries.
(Use the example on page 176 as a reference.)

3. 5.3 Format and Symbols (Continued)
5-11
Seven symbols are used in CPT (p154):
● (a bullet or black circle) indicates a new procedure code
▲(a triangle) indicates that the code’s descriptor has changed
►◄ (facing triangles) enclose new or revised text other than the code’s descriptor
+ (a plus sign) before a code indicates an add-on code that is used only along with other codes for primary procedures
Primary procedure—most resource-intensive CPT procedure during an encounter
Secondary procedure—additional procedure performed
Add-on code—procedure performed and reported in addition to a primary procedure
Learning Outcome: 5.3 Summarize the format and seven of the symbols that are used in CPT.
Pages:

4. 5.3 Format and Symbols (Continued)
5-12
Seven symbols are used in CPT (continued):
 (a bullet in a circle) next to a code means that conscious sedation is a part of the procedure that the surgeon performs
Conscious sedation—moderate, drug-induced depression of consciousness
6.  (a lightning bolt) is used for codes for vaccines that are pending FDA approval
# (a number sign) indicates a resequenced code
Resequenced—CPT procedure codes that have been reassigned to another sequence
Learning Outcome: 5.3 Summarize the format and seven of the symbols that are used in CPT.
Pages:

5. 5.4 CPT Modifiers (p154)
5-14
A CPT modifier is a two-digit number that may be attached to most five-digit procedure codes
Modifiers communicate special circumstances involved with procedures
A procedure has two parts:
Technical component (TC)—reflects the technician’s work and the equipment and supplies used in performing it
Professional component (PC)—represents a physician’s skill, time, and expertise used in performing it
Learning Outcome: 5.4 Describe the purpose and correct use of CPT modifiers.
Pages:
Have students explain the difference between a TC and a PC.

6. 5.5 Coding Steps (p158)
5-15
The six general steps for selecting correct CPT procedure codes:
Step 1. Review complete medical documentation
Step 2. Abstract the medical procedures from the visit documentation
Step 3. Identify the main term for each procedure
Step 4. Locate the main terms in the CPT index
Step 5. Verify the code in the CPT main text
Step 6. Determine the need for modifiers (p154-7)
Learning Outcome: 5.5 List the six general steps for selecting correct CPT procedure codes.
Pages:
Thoroughly examine the six steps for selecting correct CPT procedure codes.

7. 5.6 Evaluation and Management Codes
5-16
E/M codes (evaluation and management codes)—cover physicians’ services performed to determine the optimum course for patient care (159)
Key component (p166)—factor documented for various levels of evaluation and management services
Key components for selecting E/M codes:
The extent of the history documented
The extent of the examination documented
The complexity of the medical decision making
Learning Outcome: 5.6 Explain how the key components are used as the basis for selection of CPT Evaluation and Management codes.
Pages:
Examine the E/M categories and subcategories (found in Table 5.3).

8. 5.6 Evaluation and Management Codes (Continued)
5-17
Consultation—service in which a physician advises a requesting physician about a patient’s condition and care
Outpatient—patient who receives health care in a hospital setting without admission
Learning Outcome: 5.6 Explain how the key components are used as the basis for selection of CPT Evaluation and Management codes.
Pages:

9. 5.7 Anesthesia Codes (p171)
5-18
The codes in the Anesthesia section are used to report anesthesia services performed or supervised by a physician
Two types of modifiers are used with anesthesia codes (p172):
Modifier that describes the patient’s health status
Physical status modifier—code used with procedure codes to indicate a patient’s health status
Standard modifiers
Learning Outcome: 5.7 Describe the purpose and the physical status modifiers used in the Anesthesia section of CPT Category I codes.
Pages:
Review the complete usual services of an anesthesiologist.
(Usual preoperative visits for evaluation and planning, care during the procedures, and routine postoperative care.)

10. 5.7 Anesthesia Codes (Continued)
5-19
Patient’s physical status is selected from this list:
P1: Normal, healthy patient
P2: Patient with mild systemic disease
P3: Patient with severe systemic disease
P4: Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
P5: Moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation
P6: Declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donation purposes
Learning Outcome: 5.7 Describe the purpose and the physical status modifiers used in the Anesthesia section of CPT Category I codes.
Pages:
Review the list of physical status modifiers P1 - Normal, healthy patient; P2 - Patient with mild systemic disease; P3 - Patient with severe systemic disease; P4 - Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life; P5 - Moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation; P6 - Declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donation purposes.

11. 5.8 Surgery Codes (p173)
5-20
Codes in the Surgery section are used for surgical procedures performed by physicians
Surgical package (or global surgery rule)– combination of services included in a single procedure code
Global period—days surrounding a surgical procedure when all services relating to the procedure are considered part of the surgical package
Separate procedure—descriptor used for a procedure that is usually part of a surgical package but may also be performed separately
Learning Outcome: 5.8 Recognize the concepts of the surgical package and of separate procedures in the Surgery section of CPT Category I codes.
Pages:
Review the modifiers that are commonly used to indicate special circumstances involved with surgical procedures.
(See pages )

12. 5.8 Surgery Codes (Continued)
5-21
Reporting surgical codes:
Bundling—using a single payment for two or more related procedure codes
Unbundling—incorrect billing practice of breaking a panel or package of services/procedures into component parts
Fragmented billing—incorrect billing practice in which procedures are unbundled and separately reported
Learning Outcome: 5.8 Recognize the concepts of the surgical package and of separate procedures in the Surgery section of CPT Category I codes.
Pages:
Have students explain the reason(s) why the acts of unbundling and fragmented billing are incorrect billing practices.

13. 5.9 Radiology Codes (p178)
5-22
The Radiology section of CPT contains codes reported for radiology procedures either performed by or supervised by a physician
Radiology codes follow the same types of guidelines as noted in the Surgery section
Contain a technical component and a professional component
Learning Outcome: 5.9 State the purpose of the Radiology section of CPT Category I codes.
Pages:
Ask students to differentiate between the technical and professional components for radiology codes.

14. 5.10 Pathology and Laboratory Codes (p179)
5-23
Cover services provided by physicians or by technicians under the supervision of physicians
Panel—single code grouping laboratory tests frequently done together
To report a panel code, all the indicated tests must have been done, and any additional test is coded separately
Learning Outcome: 5.10 Describe the correct use of codes for laboratory panels in the pathology and laboratory of CPT Category I codes.
Pages:
What a complete procedure under the Pathology and Laboratory section includes.
Ordering the test; taking and handling the sample; performing the actual test; analyzing and reporting on the test results.

15. 5.11 Medicine Codes (p181)
5-24
Codes for the many types of evaluative, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures that physicians perform
Immunizations require two codes from the Medicine section, one for administering the immunization and the other for the particular vaccine or toxoid that is given
Ancillary services—services used to support a diagnosis
Learning Outcome: 5.11 Explain why two codes from the Medicine section of CPT Category I codes are reported for immunizations.
Pages:
Go over the commonly used codes in the Medicine section.
(-22, -26, -32, -51, -52, -53, -55, -56, -57, -58, -59, -76, -77, -78, -79, -90, -91, and -99.)

16. 5.12 Category II and Category III Codes (p182)
5-25
Category II and Category III codes both have five characters—four numbers and a letter
Category II codes are for tracking performance measures to improve patients’ health
Category III codes are temporary codes for new procedures that may enter the Category I code set if they become widely used in the future
Learning Outcome: 5.12 Compare the purpose of Category II and Category III codes.
Page: 207