Type of Service Data

A smart client asked "What is the BETOS Data?   Can you give me a hint of what it is and how is it used?"

I'd like to answer that question, but also ask YOU a question in response!

My QUESTION is: How can we improve the existing tools in the Coding Suite to make it easier for you to view information by specialty/type of service?  We already offer bookmarking and personal stored searches, and each tool lets you enter lots of codes at once, but what are we missing? Comment or contact me directly if you are interested in helping us improve!

Now, for the ANSWER to the original question:

According to CMS:

The BETOS (Berenson-Eggers Type of Service) coding system was developed primarily for analyzing the growth in Medicare expenditures. The coding system covers all HCPCS codes; assigns a HCPCS code to only one BETOS code; consists of readily understood clinical categories (as opposed to statistical or financial categories); consists of categories that permit objective assignment; is stable over time; and is relatively immune to minor changes in technology or practice patterns. 

CMS publishes the BETOS data yearly in January, and it includes CPT and HCPCS codes categorized into major categories (DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT, EXCEPTIONS/UNCLASSIFIED, IMAGING, PROCEDURES, TESTS) with sub-categories (see below).

In the procedure codebook on RRS or the Coding Suite products, scroll to the bottom of the book and select the "Index of Codes by Type of Service" folder to download the data file or to see lists by any subcategory.

Here is an example of some of the subcategories:

Advanced imagingAmbulance Codes Ambulatory proceduresAnesthesia Codes Chemotherapy Codes Chiropractic Codes Consultations Codes Dialysis servicesDrugs Administered through DME Codes Echography/ultrasonographyEmergency room visit Codes EndoscopyEnteral and parenteral Codes Eye procedureHearing and speech services Codes Home visit Codes Hospital beds Codes Hospital visitImaging/procedureImmunizations/Vaccinations Codes Lab testsMajor procedureCardiovascualr-Coronary angioplasty Cardiovascular-Aneurysm repair Codes Cardiovascular-CABG Codes Cardiovascular-Other Codes Cardiovascular-Pacemaker insertion Codes Cardiovascular-Thromboendarterectomy Codes Orthopedic Major ProcedureMedical/surgical supplies Codes Minor proceduresNursing home visit Codes Office visitsOncologyOxygen and supplies Codes Prosthestic/Orthotic devices Codes SpecialistStandard imagingUndefined codes Codes  Wheelchairs Codes