The 2010 HCPCS Level II update is now available in CCH Coding Comply. The updated data files became available on CMS’ website late Monday Night. It is anticipated that this update will be released in the HCPCS and CPT electronic code book in the Coding Suite and RRS sometime next week. When complete, a link will be provided in the “Hot Topics” box on the Welcome page of the Coding Suite.

The 2010 CPT update will be available for export in CCH Coding Comply on October 3. The annual update includes more than 150 new codes. Some of the new codes cover complex cystometrogram (51727-51729), injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), cervical or thoracic (64490-64492), and computed tomographic (CT) colonography, screening, including image postprocessing (74261-74263). Additionally, over 170 codes were modified for 2010.

We recently received the 2010 update files for CPT and are working hard to bring the information to you. Keep checking the MediBlog and CCH and MediRegs What's New publications for information regarding the availability of the 2010 update in our products. Aside from the standard CPT update data, the American Medical Association (AMA) released additional information this year pertaining to H1N1 codes and data structure.

The October 1, 2009, updates to the ICD-9-CM volume 1 and volume 3 code sets have been released via the ICD-9-CM Tabular Addenda and the FY 2010 Final Addenda. An ICD-9-CM code is required for all professional claims and for all institutional claims; however, an ICD-9-CM code is not required for ambulance supplier claims. New procedure codes include: 17.51, 33.73 and 46.87 and new diagnosis codes include: 209.70, 453.50, and V15.52.

CMS has determined that open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in Medicare beneficiaries who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a body mass index (BMI) less than 35 is no longer considered reasonable and necessary. It has been determined that these same procedures do improve health in patients with T2DM with a BMI greater than 35 so they are still considered reasonable and necessary in those situations.

CMS has decided there is no longer a need to distinguish between diagnostic and therapeutic clinical trial services. This decision by CMS goes into effect July 10, 2009 and applies to all claims submitted with dates of service on or after January 1, 2008. The ICD-9 diagnosis code of V70.7 is still required to be reported on all claims that were submitted with either the QV or Q1 modifier.

Wolters Kluwer Law & Business is excited to announce recent enhancements to the CCH Coding Comply product that is available via the CCH Internet Research Network and the CCH and MediRegs Coding and Revenue Resource Center and Audit and Revenue Resource Center.

CMS has determined that open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in Medicare beneficiaries who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a body mass index (BMI) less than 35 is no longer considered reasonable and necessary. It has been determined that these same procedures do improve health in patients with T2DM with a BMI greater than 35 so they are still considered reasonable and necessary in those situations.

The final rule to implement the ICD-10 code set, which was released on January 16, 2009 and them promptly put on hold by the Obama Administration on January 21, 2009 for further review, has been officially released. It has been determined that the effective date will not be extended and the comment period will not be re-opened.

I'm all for saving money and making things easier, at least when it doesn't publicize my Dr's finding from my latest physical.

M. Eric Johnson who is the director of the Center for Digital Strategies at Dartmouth College discovered a number of medical records available for public view during a two week study he completed in January for the Department of Homeland Security. Amazingly these files were available for the taking on peer-to-peer file sharing networks you and I would visit to download our favorite song.