The New AMA CPT Release Codes for 2022
January 7, 2022The American Medical Association (AMA) has released the latest version of the Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) code set for 2022. AMA made 405 changes to the current procedure code set in 2022, including 249 new codes, 63 deletions, and 93 revisions. These changes will take effect on January 1.
What is a CPT® code?
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes provide doctors and healthcare professionals a uniform language to code medical services and procedures to simplify reporting, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. CPT codes are also used to manage administrative tasks like claims processing and medical care reviews. Electronic medical billing utilizes CPT codes as well as ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM numerical diagnostic coding. Throughout the country, CPT terminology is used to report medical, surgical, radiology, laboratory, anesthesia, genomic sequencing, evaluation, and management (EM) services under public and private health insurance programs.
The following AMA CPT codes were announced for new vaccine-specific immunizations against the novel coronavirus.
With the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AMA’s CPT editorial panel approved unique immunization codes for two coronavirus vaccines — as well as administration codes unique to each vaccine. In a press release, the AMA stated that the new CPT codes differentiate each coronavirus vaccine for better tracking, reporting, and analysis for data-driven planning and allocation.
The new Category I CPT codes and long descriptors for the vaccine products are:
91300 | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNALNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, for intramuscular use (Report 91300 with administration codes 0001A, 0002A, 0003A, 0004A) ◄ Do not report 91300 in conjunction with administration codes 0051A, 0052A, 0053A, 0054A, 0071A, 0072A) | November 10, 2020 July 30, 2021 September 3, 2021 October 6, 2021 | 0001A, 0002A, 91300: December 11, 2020 0003A: August 12, 2021 0004A: September 22, 2021 0071A, 0072A: October 29, 2021 0051A, 0052A, 0053A, 0054A: Effective upon receiving Emergency Use Authorization or approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | CPT® 2022/2023 |
91301 | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNALNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 100 mcg/0.5 mL dosage, for intramuscular use (Report 91301 with administration codes 0011A, 0012A, 0013A) | November 10, 2020 August 16, 2021 | 0011A, 0012A, 91301: December 18, 2020 0013A: August 12, 2021 | CPT® 2022/2023 |
Here are the new Category I CPT codes and long descriptors for vaccines:
To comply with new CPT codes for vaccine-specific products, the CPT editorial panel collaborated with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Their purpose is to develop vaccine administration codes that are distinct for each Coronavirus vaccine and the specific dose used in the schedule.
According to AMA, the level of specificity is a first for vaccine CPT codes. However, it allows tracking all vaccine doses, even when the vaccine product is not reported, like when a vaccine may be given free to the patient. Moreover, these CPT codes report the actual act of administering the vaccine and all counseling needed to the patient or caregiver. They also update the electronic records.
The AMA site provides a number of resources regarding the new vaccine administration CPT codes and long descriptors. As soon as each newly developed Coronavirus vaccine receives Emergency Use Authorization or FDA approval, all the new vaccine-specific CPT codes will be available for use.
AMA’s website offers short and medium descriptors for these new vaccine-specific CPT codes. They also provide recent changes to the set of CPT codes that have streamlined the public health response to SAR-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease.
In addition to releasing the standard code descriptor PDF of SARS-CoV-2-related CPT codes, we are also providing an easy-to-use Excel file of SARS-CoV-2-related CPT codes. It contains all the SARS-CoV-2 CPT codes, some may not be included in the 2022 CPT data file, and it includes:
- CPT code descriptors (long, medium, and short)
- Published date
- Effective date
- Type of change.
AMA will update these files as new CPT codes are approved by the CPT Editorial Panel:
Category I vaccine descriptors
Therapeutic Remote Monitoring New CPT Codes
CPT code set for 2022 includes five new codes (98975, 98976, 98977, 98980, 98981) for reporting therapeutic remote monitoring. These codes reflect the rise of digital care during the pandemic. In a news release, the AMA referred to codes 99453, 99454, 99457, and 99458 as “codes that expand upon the remote physiologic monitoring codes created in 2020.”
According to the AMA, the new code set includes a taxonomy that supports “increased awareness and understanding of approaches to patient care through diverse digital medicine services available for reporting.”
As noted by the AMA, technology continues to influence CPT code changes. In fact, 43% of the latest changes come from Category III codes or the Proprietary Laboratory Section section.
Updates to the Care Management Procedures
As of 2020, new CPT codes also apply to the principal care management program. Patients with a single chronic condition can receive reimbursement under that policy. Whereas before, only patients with multiple chronic conditions were eligible.
The AMA wrote that the new codes – 99424, 99425, 99426, 99427 – and changes to existing codes, “better align with Medicare guidelines.” Thus, a data file can be used to download the codes and descriptors into a provider’s software solution.
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