Neurosurgery Featured in Article about Outpatient CPT Code Changes

Katie O. Orrico, Esq., director of the AANS/CNS Washington Office, was featured in a Sept. 2, MedPage Today article titled, “Docs Give Outpatient CPT Code Changes Mostly Good Review — Surgery groups, though, share gripes.” The article noted that physician groups are generally satisfied with some of the pending changes to the office and outpatient visit E/M codes and documentation requirements. However, the piece points out that the surgery groups have concerns about CMS’ refusal to adjust the E/M portion of the global surgery codes.

In her comments, Ms. Orrico said that the AANS and the CNS “supported the development of the new E/M codes since neurosurgeons can now code based on medical decision-making rather than the ‘check-the-box’ approach that the previous code set employed.” She added, however, that “our qualm is with CMS and how the agency is implementing the new codes in next year’s Medicare physician fee schedule.”