Archives for July 2015

Special report on Summit 2014 in this month’s JASE

Last fall the ASE Foundation (ASEF) gathered leaders from across the healthcare spectrum in the nation’s capital to offer a variety of unique perspectives on the transition to value-based healthcare, with a focus on the role of cardiovascular ultrasound in the changing environment. The summary report from this first-of-its-kind event has now been published in the July issue of JASE, and will serve as an excellent resource for our members to demonstrate the value of echocardiography to colleagues, administrators, and others in the healthcare community.

In addition, ASEF has added speaker slides and video summaries of two panels to the Summit 2014 website, and will continue to add additional videos and other resources as often as possible.  One of the highlights of the program featured a panel session with three patients whose care was directly impacted by the use of echocardiography. Click here to watch Sarah Woodruff, an adult with congenital heart disease, talk about the value that echo has brought to her life.

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New Category III codes announced July 1, 2015

On July 1, 2015 the American Medical Association (AMA) released its semi-annual update to its list of CPT Category III codes. The AMA identified 34 new Category III codes; these codes all are scheduled to become effective as of January 1, 2016.  Of particular interest to Echocardiographers is 0399T – Myocardial strain imaging as described below:

  • 0399T: Myocardial strain imaging (quantitative assessment of myocardial mechanics using image-based analysis of local myocardial dynamics)
    ►(Use 0399T in conjunction with 93303, 93304, 93306, 93307, 93308, 93312, 93314, 93315, 93317, 93350, 93351, 93355)◄
    ►(Report 0399T once per session)◄

Reminders for your practice

  1. Typically Category III codes replace unlisted codes that were previously used for new procedures or services.   Prepare to update your charge sheets.
  2. If a Category III code describes the procedure or service performed, it must be reported. An unlisted code or less specific Category I cannot be reported in place of an active Category III code.
  3. Reimbursement of Category III codes is at the discretion of payers.  During the six months between announcement of new Category III code and active date, practices interested in utilizing new code should begin working with local payers to obtain coverage and payment.
  4. Category III codes are released on a semi-annual basis in January and July and are published on the AMA’s website.  Please reference the AMA website for a complete listing of all recently approved Category III codes

Also, with the passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACA) Congress permanently repealed and replaced the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula and a providing to increase the Medicare conversation faction by .05%. This increase will go into effect today, July 1.