New CPT codes aim to streamline administrative duties

Key takeaways

• The AMA released its 2023 CPT code set, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023. The changes include 225 new codes, 93 revisions and 75 deletions.
• With some new CPT codes, the AMA is hoping to help simplify coding and documentation for evaluation and management services, as spending too much time on administrative tasks is a driving factor of physician burnout.

The AMA has released its CPT code set for 2023, highlighting changes that seek to relieve some administrative pressures for physicians.

The code set, which is the United States’ “leading data-sharing terminology for medical procedures and services,” includes “burden-reducing” revisions to codes and guidelines for the majority of evaluation and management (E/M) services, according to an AMA press release.

The revisions were based on changes made in 2021, and extend to consultations, emergency services, inpatient and observation care services, prolonged services and home and residence services, according to the release. Overall, the AMA said that the modifications will simplify coding and documentation for E/M services so that providers spend less time on “administrative tasks that are clinically irrelevant to providing high-quality care to patients.”

These burden-reducing revisions work to build on the AMA’s attempts to lessen administrative tasks in medicine, which is a major contributing factor to physician burnout, one of the biggest issues facing primary care.

“The process for coding and documenting almost all E/M services is now simpler and more flexible,” AMA President Jack Resneck Jr., MD, said in the release. “We want to ensure that physicians and other users get the full benefit of the administrative relief from the E/M code revisions.”

Resneck further said that the AMA is helping providers prepare for the transition and is offering resources, which can be found here, to ease the process.

The changes, to be implemented Jan. 1, include 225 new codes, 93 revisions and 75 deletions.

“With 10,969 codes that describe the medical procedures and services available to patients, the CPT code set continues to grow and evolve with the rapid pace of innovation in medical science and health technology,” AMA said in the release.

Also new in this year’s CPT code set is an appendix with a taxonomy for artificial intelligence.

“The new AI taxonomy establishes foundational definitions and a shared understanding among stakeholders that clearly describes the technical features and performance of AI applications, as well as the work performed by the machine on behalf of the health care professional,” Resneck said. “This shared understanding will help guide the CPT editorial process for describing the range of AI products and services.”

Further additions include codes responding to “emerging uses of virtual reality technology in therapy,” new codes for remote monitoring services and more, according to the release.