Q: What are the new Category I codes relevant to interventional radiology?
A: There are five new Category I procedural codes and 17 new Category I codes for telemedicine services.
The following codes have been released to the AMA website and are effective January 1, 2025.
- 60660: Ablation of one or more thyroid nodule(s), one lobe or the isthmus, percutaneous, including imaging guidance, radiofrequency
- +60661: Ablation of one or more thyroid nodule(s), additional lobe, percutaneous, including imaging guidance, radiofrequency (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
60660 is a new Category I code for radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodule(s) in one lobe or the isthmus. This code includes all image guidance associated with the procedure, and therefore should not be reported with 76940 (ultrasound guidance for, and monitoring of, parenchymal tissue ablation), 76942 (ultrasonic guidance for needle placement), 77013 (CT guidance for, and monitoring of, parenchymal tissue ablation), or 77022 (MRI guidance for, and monitoring of, parenchymal tissue ablation).
60661 must be reported in conjunction with 60660, as 60661 is an add on code. 60661 describes radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodule(s) in an additional lobe. Similar to 60660, this add-on code also includes all image guidance associated with the procedure.
Both 60660 and +60661 are specific to radiofrequency ablation. Therefore, if laser ablation of a benign thyroid nodule is performed, this should be coded with the existing Category III code (0673T).
Prior to the development of these Category I codes, these procedures were coded using an unlisted procedure of the endocrine system (60699).
- 51721: Insertion of transurethral ablation transducer for delivery of thermal ultrasound for prostate tissue ablation, including suprapubic tube placement during the same session and placement of an endorectal cooling device, when performed
- 55881: Ablation of prostate tissue, transurethral, using thermal ultrasound, including magnetic resonance imaging
- 55882: Ablation of prostate tissue, transurethral, using thermal ultrasound, including magnetic resonance imaging, with insertion of transurethral ultrasound transducer for delivery of thermal ultrasound, including suprapubic tube placement and placement of an endorectal cooling device, when performed
51721 is used to code for the initial insertion/placement of the transurethral ablation transducer, as well as suprapubic tube placement and endorectal cooling device placement when performed. The ablation itself is not included in 51721. The ablation and monitoring of the ablation zone using MRI monitoring can be performed by the same physician who performed the initial insertion/placement of the ablation transducer or by a different physician.
If the ablation is performed by a different physician, then 55881 would be reported by the physician performing the ablation. However, if the same physician performing the initial insertion/placement of the transurethral ablation transducer also performs the ablation, then code 55882 would be reported (instead of 51721 and 55881). Therefore, 51721 cannot be reported in conjunction with 55881 or 55882. Given that the work of 55881 is inherent within 55882, 55881 cannot be reported in conjunction with 55882.
Also, do not report 51721, 55881 or 55882 in conjunction with 51701 (insertion of non-indwelling bladder catheter), 51702 (insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter, simple), 72195 (MRI pelvis without contrast), 72196 (MRI pelvis with contrast), 72197 (MRI pelvis without and with contrast) or 77022 (MRI guidance for and monitoring of parenchymal tissue ablation).
The work of 51721, 55881 and 55882 was previously reported with either unlisted urinary system code (53899) or unlisted male genital system code (55899).
Telemedicine codes (98000–98016)
Seventeen new telemedicine services codes have been added to the E/M section of the CPT Professional 2025. Previously, telemedicine services were reported using 99202–99205 with a modifier 95 (office or other outpatient visit for new patients), 99211–99215 with a modifier 95 (office or other outpatient visit for established patients), or with codes 99441–99443 (telephone evaluation and management service provided to an established patient). Codes 99441–99443 have been deleted effective January 1, 2025.
Telemedicine services describe real-time (synchronous) encounters between a physician or qualified healthcare professional (QHP) and a patient. The new telemedicine codes can be divided into two categories: those utilizing combined audio and video for a patient encounter (98000–98007), and those utilizing audio only (98008–98016). Audio–video telemedicine codes 98000–98007 and audio-only telemedicine codes 98008–98015 can be reported for new or established patients. 98016, patient-initiated, audio-only encounter (“virtual check-in” to determine if a separate E/M service is required), is reported for established patients only.
Like in-person E/M codes, telemedicine codes 98000–98015 may be reported based on either medical decision making (MDM) or time. Note that the definition of MDM for telemedicine codes is the same used in the E/M guidelines. The time for new patient encounters outlined in the code set are the same for both audio–video and audio-only services. Codes 98000–98003 (new patient audio–video services) and codes 98008–980011 (new patient audio-only services) categorize time of encounter by at least 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes. For encounters 75 minutes or longer, code 99417 for a prolonged encounter would be used. Except for 98016, the total times for established patients outlined in the code set are the same for both audio–video and audio-only encounters. Codes 98004–98007 (established patient audio–video services) and codes 98012–980015 (established patient audio-only services) categorize time of encounter by at least 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and 40 minutes. For encounters 55 minutes or longer, code 99417 for a prolonged encounter would be used.
Although telemedicine codes 98000–98015 may be reported based on either MDM or time, it is important to note that for audio-only codes (98008–98015), the encounter must exceed 10 minutes of medical discussion (regardless of complexity of MDM). For an audio-only encounter for an established patient, 5–10 minutes of medical discussion is required to code 90816 (brief communication technology-based service). Note that code 90816 is the only code in the family of telemedicine services that is coded strictly on time of medical discussion. There is no code for an audio-only encounter with less than 5 minutes of medical discussion.
Codes 98000–98016 are not used to report routine telecommunications related to a previous encounter (e.g., to communicate lab results), but may be used for follow-up of a previous encounter such as re-assessment for response or complications related to a previous visit. Telemedicine codes 98000–98016 must be performed on a different calendar date from a separate E/M service, and if performed on the same calendar date as a separate E/M service then the elements and times are summed to be reported in aggregate. Except for 98016, no specific time interval is required from the last in-person or telemedicine visit.
Synchronous audio–video evaluation and management services
New patient: Synchronous audio–video visits
- 9800: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and straightforward medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 15 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98001: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and low medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 30 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98002: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and moderate medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 45 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98003: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 60 minutes must be met or exceeded. (99417 would be used for prolonged services of 75 minutes or longer.)
Established patient: Synchronous audio–video visits
- 98004: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and straightforward medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 10 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98005: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and low medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 20 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98006: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and moderate medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 30 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98007: Synchronous audio–video visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high medical decision-making.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 40 minutes must be met or exceeded.
New patient: Synchronous audio-only visits
- 98008: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, straightforward medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 15 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98009: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, low medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 30 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98010: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, moderate medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 45 minutes must be met or exceeded.
- 98011: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, high medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 60 minutes must be met or exceeded.
(99417 would be used for prolonged services of 75 minutes or longer)
Established Patient: Synchronous audio-only visits
- 98012: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, straightforward medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 10 minutes must be exceeded.
- 98013: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, low medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 20 minutes must be exceeded.
- 98014: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, moderate medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 30 minutes must be exceeded.
- 98015: Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, moderate medical decision-making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion.
When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 40 minutes must be exceeded.
(99417 would be used for prolonged services of 55 minutes or longer)
Do not report codes 98012–98015 with 93792 (patient/caregiver training for initiation of home INR monitoring under the direction of a physician or QHP), 93793 (anticoagulant management for a patient taking warfarin), 99374 (supervision of a patient under care of home health agency, 15–29 minutes), 99375 (supervision of a patient under care of home health agency, 30 minutes or more), 99377 (supervision of a hospice patient, 15–29 minutes), 99378 (supervision of a hospice patient, 30 minutes or more), 99379 (supervision of a nursing home facility patient, 15–29 minutes), 99380 (supervision of a nursing home facility patient, 30 minutes), 99495 (transitional care management services with a face-to-face visit within 14 calendar days of discharge), 99496 (transitional care management services with a face-to-face visit within 7 calendar days of discharge). Do not report codes 98012–98015 within the same month as 99487 (complex chronic care management services) or add-on code 99489 (each additional 30 minutes of complex chronic care management services).
In the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for the calendar year 2025, CMS is proposing to assign CPT® codes 98000–98015 a procedure status indicator of “I,” which means there is a more specific code (i.e., existing office/outpatient E/M codes) to be used for Medicare. Providers would utilize modifiers and place of service (POS) codes, as defined by Medicare, to identify the correct location of the patient, if applicable, for payments.
Brief synchronous communication technology service (e.g., virtual check-in)
- 98016: Brief communication technology-based service (e.g., virtual check-in) by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional who can report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related evaluation and management service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an evaluation and management service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment, 5–10 minutes of medical discussion
Code 98016 cannot be reported in conjunction with codes 98000–98015. If length of medical discussion is less than five minutes, do not report 98016.
Q: Are there any other coding updates or changes relevant to interventional radiology?
A: Yes, add-on code 75774 has been revised effective January 1, 2025.
- 75774: Angiography, selective, each additional vessel studied after basic examination, radiological supervision and interpretation (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Add-on code 75774 can be used with both arteries and veins. Previously, there had been confusion as to whether code 75774 could also be used for veins.
Disclaimer: SIR is providing this billing and coding guide for educational and information purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, medical or any other kind of advice. The guide is meant to be an adjunct to the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Current Procedural Terminology (2025/CPT®). It is not comprehensive and does not replace CPT®. Our intent is to assist physicians, business managers and coders. Therefore, a precise knowledge of the definitions of the CPT descriptors and the appropriate services associated with each code is mandatory for proper coding of physician service. Please refer to 2025 CPT® for full and complete guidelines.
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