|
Given
the rapid pace of change in technology development
and medical practice, the process for adding,
deleting, and modifying Current Procedural Terminology
(CPT) coding language must be both continuous
and dynamic. These codes are used for reporting
medical services and procedures performed by physicians.
Due to growing significance and complexity in
changing coding convention, the College has expanded
its involvement in the areas of greatest importance
to the cardiovascular specialist.
The
ACC Process
The College's Coding and Nomenclature Committee
(CNC) is charged with periodic review of the CPT
and other coding systems to determine the appropriateness
of codes for the contemporary practice of cardiovascular
medicine. The Chair of the Coding and Nomenclature
Committee also serves as an advisor to the American
Medical Association (AMA) CPT Editorial Panel.
The Committee both initiates coding change proposals
and reviews those proposed by others to the AMA.
When a coding change request is received from
the AMA, it is reviewed by the CNC and one or
more clinical Committees as appropriate. The CNC
then reviews any comments to determine the course
of action. The Committee can: 1) move to support
the proposal as written; 2) recommend revisions
to the proposal; or 3) recommend that the proposal
be deferred. Recommendations are forwarded to
the College President who then submits the response
to the AMA.
The
AMA Process
The American Medical Association (AMA) coding
change process begins with the submission of a
suggestion to the AMA Department of Coding and
Nomenclature by a specialty society, device manufacturer
or, in some instances, an individual physician.
AMA staff review the request to determine if it
warrants further review.
The proposed coding change is then forwarded to
the appropriate specialty representatives on the
AMA CPT Advisory Committee. If advisors believe
that a change is warranted, the issue is referred
to the AMA CPT Editorial Panel for review and
action. This panel, which meets at least four
times per year, is made up of 14 physicians representing
various medical and surgical specialties and third-party
payers. The Editorial Panel is responsible for
enacting changes to CPT coding language -- it
can vote to reject the proposal, table the proposal
for further study or accept the change (as written
or modified) for incorporation into the next edition
of the AMA Physician's CPT Book.
ACC
Resources
The Coding and Nomenclature Committee publishes
a monthly column called "Coding and Reimbursement
Update" in the College's Cardiology newsletter.
In addition, the College's coding manual Practical
Reporting of Cardiovascular Services and Procedures:
The ACC Guide to CPT is updated annually.
The Coding and Nomenclature Committee continues
to oversee the College's coding seminar for cardiovascular
specialists. Conducted by senior staff from a
medical management consulting firm, the seminar
is most often offered through ACC Chapters. Please
contact state Chapters or staff at Heart House
for information regarding the schedule for seminars.
For questions, please call the Clinical Practice
and Scientific Services Division at 1-800-253-4636.
|
