2022 CPT Changes: The Codes ASCs Should Know

By Mandeara Frye, RHIA, CPC, CPMA, CASCC, Director of Coding

It’s that time of year again! The American Medical Association has released its list of new, revised, and deleted codes that will be implemented beginning on date of service Jan. 1, 2022. Now is the time to make sure your team is prepared for the code changes by reviewing and understanding them, updating your practice management system, and sharing the changes and updates with surgeons and key staff members.

Trabecular Meshwork Coding Changes

One important ophthalmology coding change to note is the reporting of stents into the trabecular meshwork (iStent, Hydrus Microstent, etc.). The previously reported codes have been deleted and will now be reported based on whether the stent is placed at the same time as a cataract procedure.

Deleted CPT Codes

The deleted trabecular meshwork stent codes are as follows:

• 0191T — Insertion of anterior segment aqueous drainage device, without extraocular reservoir, internal approach, into the trabecular meshwork; initial insertion
• 0376T — Insertion of anterior segment aqueous drainage device, without extraocular reservoir, internal approach, into the trabecular meshwork; each additional device insertion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

New CPT Codes

The trabecular meshwork codes added for 2022 are as follows:

• 0671T — Insertion of anterior segment aqueous drainage device into the trabecular meshwork, without external reservoir, and without concomitant cataract removal, one or more
• 66989 — Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification), complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery (eg, iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens, or primary posterior capsulorrhexis) or performed on patients in the amblyogenic developmental stage; with insertion of intraocular (eg, trabecular meshwork, supraciliary, suprachoroidal) anterior segment aqueous drainage device, without extraocular reservoir, internal approach, one or more
• 66991 — Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1 stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification); with insertion of intraocular (eg, trabecular meshwork, supraciliary, suprachoroidal) anterior segment aqueous drainage device, without extraocular reservoir, internal approach, one or more

Other Noteworthy Coding Changes

There are a few other new codes that are important for ASCs.

Subchondroplasty procedures, which were previously unlisted, now have the following CPT code:

• 0707T — Injection(s), bone-substitute material (eg, calcium phosphate) into subchondral bone defect (ie, bone marrow lesion, bone bruise, stress injury, microtrabecular fracture), including imaging guidance and arthroscopic assistance for joint visualization

Drug-induced sleep endoscopies have a new code:

• 42975 — Drug-induced sleep endoscopy, with dynamic evaluation of velum, pharynx, tongue base, and larynx for evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing, flexible, diagnostic

Laminectomies performed during lumbar posterior interbody fusions have two new codes:

• 63052 — Laminectomy, facetectomy, or foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s] [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), during posterior interbody arthrodesis, lumbar; single vertebral segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 63053 — Laminectomy, facetectomy, or foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s] [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), during posterior interbody arthrodesis, lumbar; each additional segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

There are several additional coding changes to be aware of, so it’s vital that your ASC begins preparing now to avoid billing delays or denials based on the revised code usage.