Simplifying Healthcare: The AMA's 2024 CPT Code Changes
2024 is on the horizon, and with it comes the anticipated annual update of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set by the American Medical Association (AMA). It is important for medical device companies to understand theses changes, as it may introduce new codes or remove existing ones, impacting how they target healthcare providers. Let’s dive into a brief summary of the expected changes in the upcoming release.
Adding Spanish consumer friendly descriptions
Healthcare is becoming more accessible and inclusive, especially for the 41 million Spanish speakers in the United States. The AMA has made a significant move in this direction by introducing Spanish language descriptions for over 11,000 medical procedures and services in the 2024 CPT® code set. These descriptions will now be part of various medical documents and online platforms, aiding hospitals, health plans, and medical offices. We will soon integrate the descriptions on the Alpha Sophia platform as well.
Key Updates in the 2024 CPT Code Set
The 2024 CPT code set reflects the latest advancements in medical science and technology. There are few groundbreaking changes for most medical device companies. Here are some significant changes with respect to COVID-19 and the RS virus:
- Over 50 codes related to COVID-19 immunizations have been consolidated for simplicity.
- New codes for Moderna and Pfizer’s monovalent COVID-19 vaccines are introduced, awaiting FDA approval.
- A universal code (90480) for COVID-19 vaccine administration is now available, replacing product-specific codes.
- New codes for the latest Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) innovations
- Simplifcation in administrative codes
Why This Matters
These changes in the CPT® code set are not just about updating numbers and descriptions. They are about making healthcare more accessible, understandable, and patient-centric. By keeping up with medical advancements, the AMA is ensuring that the CPT code set remains a vital tool in modern healthcare.
See the AMA’s press release here: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-releases-cpt-2024-code-set