Oncology Coding Article - Revisions, Deletions and Updates to CPT Codes for 2004

^â codes for 2004

American Academy of Medical Administrators

Specialty Groups — Oncology

Medical Oncology Code Changes

The AMA has recently published the revisions, deletions and updates to CPT^â codes for 2004. While there were no changes to the radiation oncology 77XXX series of codes, several changes affect medical oncology. One revised code and one new code were required to accurately designate the individual performing the refilling and maintenance of CNS pumps. Of special interest is the new code that indicates the physician personally performed the pump services.

95990 Refilling and maintenance of implantable pump or reservoir for drug delivery, spinal (intrathecal, epidural) or brain (intraventricular);

95991 Refilling and maintenance of implantable pump or reservoir for drug delivery, spinal (intrathecal, epidural) or brain (intraventricular); administered by physician

An additional area of interest for medical oncology practices involves coding for the transplantation of progenitor cells. The following codes have revised code descriptors for 2004 that define with or without washing:

38208 Transplant preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells; thawing of previously frozen harvest, without washing

38209 thawing of previously frozen harvest, with washing

Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H
principal and co-founder of Coding Strategies, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. Cindy is a current member of the Advisory Board for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and a faculty instructor for AMA Solutions, a subsidiary of the American Medical Association. She serves as the Consulting Editor of the Radiology Coding Alert and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of General Surgery Coding Alert and Pain Management Coding Alert.

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