AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2019 Quarter 2; For your information
CPT Category III Codes effective July 1, 2019
The American Medical Association (AMA) released the following Category III codes to their website on January 1, 2019. Following the six month implementation for the codes listed below, they will become effective on July 1, 2019 and published in the 2020 CPT Codebook. This information can be located on the AMA’s website at: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-03/cpt-category3-codes-long-descriptors.pdf CPT Code Long Code Descriptor Effective Date 0543 Transapical mitral valve repair, including transthoracic echocardiography, when performed, with placement of artificial chordae tendineae July 1, 2019 (For transesophageal echocardiography image guidance, use 93355 ) Codes 0544T and 0545T...
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Article Overview
This article summarizes a set of CPT Category III additions released by the American Medical Association and scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2019. It is relevant to professional coders, compliance staff, and clinical documentation teams working with cardiovascular procedures, imaging-guided interventions, oncology-related intraoperative assessment, bone and fracture evaluation, urinary continence devices, low-level laser therapy, vascular access procedures, and 3D printing services. The article also includes related reporting notes, cross-references, and exclusions that help readers understand how the new Category III items fit within broader CPT coding guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
Category III code updates can affect charge capture, claim accuracy, and documentation workflows across multiple specialties. This article helps readers identify which new AMA-issued items were being introduced for 2019 and what surrounding guidance was provided with them.
Article Sections
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General introduction and effective date
Overview of the AMA release timing, implementation period, and publication context for the listed Category III items.
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Cardiovascular and structural heart procedures
Guidance related to transcatheter valve-related procedures, catheterization references, bypass support, ventricular support, and associated reporting notes.
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Breast and surgical margin assessment
Coverage of intraoperative assessment services tied to partial mastectomy and related reporting limitations.
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Bone quality, continence devices, and therapy services
Discussion of bone material testing, periurethral balloon continence devices, and low-level laser therapy services.
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Iliac arteriovenous anastomosis implant and CT-based bone analysis
Notes on an implant procedure and CT-based bone strength and fracture risk analysis services, including related exclusions.
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3D-printed models and surgical guides
Information on 3D-printed anatomic models and anatomic guides produced from image data, including related add-on reporting notes.
What You Will Learn
- Which broad clinical areas are affected by the July 1, 2019 Category III updates.
- How the article organizes the new CPT Category III items and their accompanying notes.
- What types of related services and exclusions are discussed alongside the new items.
- Which code sets and reporting references are mentioned in the AMA guidance.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Revenue cycle staff
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Compliance professionals
- Physician practice administrators
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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