The American Medical Association (AMA) has created a new CPT® code that streamlines novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing offered by hospitals, health systems and laboratories in the United States. Effective March 13, 2020, the code serves as the industry standard for reporting of COVID-19 tests across the nation's health care system.

Appropriate parties will need to manually upload this code descriptor into their EHR system, per the standard early release delivery process for CPT codes. The AMA states that "this CPT code will arrive as part of the complete CPT code set in the data file for 2021 later this year."

Learn more from the AMA and download the full CPT code descriptor release. Also view the AMA's special coding advice (CPT & ICD-10 codes) during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Coronavirus, American Medical Association, Current Procedural Terminology

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