AMA Releases 2021 CPT® Code Set
On September 1, 2020, the American Medical Association (AMA) released the 2021 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set after approval from the CPT® Editorial Panel. There are 329 editorial changes to CPT® including:
- 206 new codes
- 69 revised code descriptors
- 54 deleted codes
The majority of new codes involve new technology services described in Category III codes and continued expansion of the Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) section. There are changes to CPT® in nearly every section.
Significant modifications in the office and outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes and guidelines are included in the changes for 2021. For codes 99201-99215:
- Deletion of code 99201
- Eliminating history and physical exam as elements for code selection
- Allowing physicians to choose the best patient care by permitting code level selection based on medical decision-making (MDM) or total time
- Promoting payer consistency with more detail added to CPT code descriptors and guidelines.
Several new codes were created as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), primarily COVID testing and laboratory results.
To review the press release in its entirety, click here:
https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-releases-2021-cpt-code-set.
