New CPT Codes for 2022: This Year’s Need-to-Know Updates

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published changes to the CPT Category III codes, which take effect on July 1, 2022. The Category III codes represent emerging technologies and procedures. The AMA updates CPT codes semi-annually, allowing for faster creation of new codes.

Healthcare organizations should remember that the creation of new CPT coding does not guarantee coverage for the service. These codes will be published in the 2023 CPT codebook but are available for review now within Vitalware® by Health Catalyst products.

New Category III Codes Effective July 1, 2022

Let’s take a look at these new codes and the procedures they describe:

Transperineal Laser Ablation

A new code describes the transperineal laser ablation of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (0714T). This procedure is less invasive than the standard BPH treatment of transurethral resection or laser vaporization and uses a SoracteLite™ EchoLaser device.

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Lithotripsy

Another new code is for percutaneous transluminal coronary lithotripsy (0715T). This is an add-on code and should be listed separately in addition to the code for the primary procedure.

Coronary Artery Disease Risk Score

A computer uses acoustic signal processing algorithms to analyze the recording and identify specific heart sounds (S1, S2, and murmurs) that could indicate coronary disease. A new CPT code describing the cardiac acoustic waveform recording, automated analysis, and generation of a coronary artery disease risk score (0716T) has been created to capture this.

Autologous Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cell Therapy

Two new codes were created for autologous adipose-derived regenerative cell (ADRC) therapy for a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear:

• The first includes the adipose tissue harvesting, isolation, and preparation of harvested cells (including incubation and cell dissociation enzymes), filtration, and washing and concentration of ADRCs (0717T).
• The second includes the unilateral injection into the supraspinatus tendon, including ultrasound guidance (0718T).

Posterior Replacement of a Vertebral Joint

The AMA has also approved a new code to capture the posterior replacement of a vertebral joint, which includes bilateral facetectomy, laminectomy, and radical discectomy for a single segment of the spine (0719T). 

Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation

Another new code covers the percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation of the cranial nerves (0720T). This code does not include the implantation of any type of device.

Quantitative Tissue Characterization

Quantitative tissue characterization using radiologic means has become a critical component for the integration of image-derived information into personalized treatment. Two new codes relate to this:

• The first code (0721T) is for quantitative computed tomography (CT) tissue characterization obtained without a concurrent CT examination of any structure contained in a previously acquired diagnostic image.
• The second code (0722T) is for quantitative computed tomography (CT) tissue characterization that is obtained with a concurrent CT examination of any structure contained in a previously acquired diagnostic image. Providers should use this code in conjunction with the applicable radiology (CT) code from the 70000 range.

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) allows the non-invasive visualization of the biliary tree, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts. There are two new codes to address this technology:

• The first is for quantitative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (QMRCP) obtained without diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the same anatomy during the same session (0723T).
• The second is for QMRCP obtained with diagnostic MRI of the same anatomy during the same session (0724T). Providers should use CPT coding 0724T in conjunction with the code for the MRI.

Implanted Vestibular Devices

The AMA has also approved new codes regarding implanted vestibular devices:

• The first is for the unilateral implantation of a vestibular device (0725T). The implant consists of motion sensors fixed to the patient’s head and of electronic components that translate the received motion information into electrical signals transmitted to the brain via electrodes.
• The second code is for the removal of the vestibular device (0726T).
• A third code covers the removal and replacement of an implanted vestibular device (0727T). 
• The AMA has created separate codes for the diagnostic analysis of the vestibular implant and initial programming (0728T) and subsequent programming (0729T).

Laser Trabeculotomy

July 2022 will also see the introduction of a new code for a trabeculotomy procedure using a laser (0730T)—a technique used for the treatment of glaucoma to relieve intraocular pressure. This new code includes guidance using optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is an imaging method used to generate a picture of the back of the eye, called the retina. 

Diagnosis Using Facial Characteristics

Many diseases display distinctive facial manifestations. Clinicians are now using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to aid in the diagnosis of disease using facial characteristics. A new code has been created to capture the analysis and reporting of this technology (0731T).      

Immunotherapy Administration with Electroporation

A new code for immunotherapy administration with electroporation (0732T) has also been created. Electroporation is the use of high-voltage electric shocks to introduce DNA into cells. Since this method of immunotherapy administration requires few steps, it can be easier than alternative techniques.

Remote Kinematic Measurement-Based Therapy

Treating conditions remotely has become common in the COVID-19 era. The AMA has approved two new codes for remote body and limb kinematic measurement-based therapy:

• The first is for the supply and technical support (0733T).
• The second is for the treatment management services by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional (0734T).

Tumor Cavity Preparation

The AMA has also approved a code for preparation of the tumor cavity, with a placement of a radiation therapy applicator for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) during a craniotomy procedure (0735T).This code should be used in conjunction with the code for the craniotomy procedure.     

Colonic Lavage

Colonic lavage is a procedure that uses water to cleanse the colon or large intestine. A new code (0736T) has been created to describe this procedure. This code includes the insertion of a rectal catheter.

Xenograft Implantation

Finally, July 2022 will introduce a new code for xenograft implantation into the articular surface (0737T).  This procedure involves removing articular cartilage from a non-human animal, washing, treating, and preparing the cartilage, and implanting it into the articular surface of the patient. 

Category III Codes Capture Healthcare’s Rapidly Evolving Technology

The AMA recognizes that healthcare technology evolves rapidly and has developed the Category III codes to report emerging technology, services, procedures, and service paradigms in an expedient fashion. Although the existence of a CPT code does not guarantee coverage for a particular procedure, Category III codes must be assigned when appropriate to allow for accurate data collection.

Category III codes are temporary codes that are designed to be archived five years after creation, though they may be archived sooner if sufficient data is available. Rest assured that Vitalware will keep you apprised of future coding and reimbursement changes.

Additional Reading

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