Coding Analysis for Labs (CAL) Tracking Sheet

Blood Counts (Revision of CPT Codes)

CAG-00182N

Issue

The American Medical Association’s Editorial Panel approved new CPT hematology codes for blood counts effective January 1, 2003. The coding changes include changes to the description of several codes that are already included in the blood count national coverage determination (NCD), deletion of six codes in the NCD (85021, 85022, 85023, 85024, 85590 and 85595) and the addition of three new codes (85004, 85032, and 85049). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) will evaluate whether or not to add these new codes to the blood count NCD.

National Coverage Determinations

Benefit Category

Diagnostic Laboratory Tests

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Internally Generated N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
01/28/2003
Expected CAL Completion Date
04/28/2003
Public Comment Period
02/28/2003 - 03/28/2003
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
03/21/2003

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Jackie Sheridan-Moore
Lead Medical Officers

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

January 28, 2003

Formal request accepted by CMS.

March 21, 2003

CMS posts the decision memorandum announcing its intent to add the new CPT codes

June 6, 2003

CMS issues instructions implementing this NCD change.