2013 Primary Care CPT Coding Changes

Several 2013 CPT code changes affect primary care practices; listed below are some of the key changes. Fortunately, some changes will have a positive economic effect:

New Transitional Care Codes Boost Primary Care Payments in 2013

By: Mary Ellen Schneider, Family Practice News Digital Network

While many subspecialists are bracing for steep payment cuts due to coding changes set to take effect next year, primary care physicians could earn more money, thanks to the creation of new transitional care management codes.

The codes offer an opportunity for additional revenue generation by covering situations when a physician oversees an established patient whose medical/ psychosocial issues require moderate to high complexity medical decision making (MDM) during the shift from a healthcare facility setting back to the patient’s community (home) setting. Another key to determining whether to report 99495 or 99496 hinges on timely follow-up: how many days pass between the patient’s discharge and when the physician is able to see the patient. Read More

Key Components of 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Highlighted in AAFP Summary

By AAFP News Staff

The final 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule rule has more than 1,300 pages, and some of the information contained in the rule is vital for AAFP members. To help busy family physicians, the AAFP has put together a summary (15-page PDF; About PDFs) that explains how various components of the 2013 fee schedule are likely to affect primary care and family medicine. Read More

Watch POS for Minor Surgery

AAPC News

Many offices use place of service (POS) code 11 Office incorrectly for minor surgeries at an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) or in the outpatient department of a hospital. You should apply POS 11 only for those services provided in the physician office. Read more

Report Presurgical H&P With Caution

AAPC News

History and physicals before surgery can be potholes in the road for reimbursement if reported incorrectly. Watch the circumstances under which the physical is performed to prevent a fiscal flat tire. Read More

For more details, you can view the slides from the AMA meeting outlining the 2013 CPT code changes