2019 HCPCS Level II changes are comprehensive this year, and the code set includes several new modifiers as well as codes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released them November 6.
HCPCS General Talley
The 374 changes are broken down this way:
- 228 new codes and modifiers
- 49 discontinued codes and modifiers
- 95 changed codes and modifiers
- 1 code with a coverage changes
The changes include several new hearing aid codes, Medicaid screening and documentation codes, and many new injectable drugs. New G codes include telehealth, evaluation and management, and quality measures.
New C codes for injections outnumber new codes for neuro and MRI services. Nine new modifiers include oxygen, telehealth, and therapy codes.
As promised in the OPPS final rule, 27 C codes are deleted, as are five G codes relating to brain imaging and procedures and nursing conference. Only two J codes are deleted, but seven Q drug codes are eliminated. Some hearing codes are dismissed to make way for the new ones.
Changes include single A, C, E, and K codes. G codes wholly revamped as 74 see description changes. Four J, four Q, and four V codes are changed.
More information will be available in the 2019 HCPCS Level II Expert, due out in December.