RE: New Wound Care Codes, APMA Coding Manual
From: Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, Michael King, DPM
At the just completed APMA Region 1 Seminar, the
new wound care codes for 2006 were reported on
by the APMA coding team. 43 codes have been
revised and replaced by CPT and RUC by a joint
effort of APMA, ASPS (plastics) and ABA (burn).
The codes of greatest relevance to podiatrists
are 15340, 15341 and 15430 respectively.
CPT 15340 and 15341 are to be used for Apligraf
and the now discontinued
Dermagraft. They are expected to be 10-day
globals. The exact reimbursement by Medicare is
not yet known, but the RUC has valued them as a
result of APMA's input.
CPT 15430 will be used for Oasis and is expected
to have a 90-day global with a yet to be
determined value.
There is also a new Category 1 code for ESWT.
Watch for the soon to be released APMA Coding
Manual for full details on this and many other
coding changes for 2006.
Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, APMA RUC Representative,
Immediate Past President, APMA
I would strongly encourage all APMA members to
purchase and download (when available in
December) the APMA Coding manual. This concise
coding guide will become the staple for daily
use in everyone's practice.
The manual, a real member benefit, should
substantially streamline everyone's ability to
properly code for all services rendered in any
setting.
This manual is being offered at a reasonable
cost and ALL proceeds from its distribution will
go directly to the APMA Educational Foundation.
APMA must pay royalties to the AMA for the use
of the CPT codes, and this is built into the
cost.
Please take advantage of this fine member
benefit.
Michael King, DPM, APMA BOT, AMA CPT Advisor,
mjking@apma.org
