Q: What are the new Category III codes relevant to interventional radiology?
A: There are three new Category III codes that are relevant to interventional radiology with different effective dates.
The following code was released to the AMA website in December 2023 and was effective July 1, 2024.
0888T: Histotripsy (i.e., non-thermal ablation via acoustic energy delivery) of malignant renal tissue, including imaging guidance
Histotripsy has an existing Category III code for malignant hepatocellular tissue (0686T) and now has a code for malignant renal tissue (0888T). This technology is a non-invasive destruction of tissue using the non-thermal mechanical process of focused ultrasound via acoustic energy delivery.
The following codes have been released to the AMA website and are effective January 1, 2025.
0944T: 3D contour simulation of target liver lesion(s) and margin(s) for image-guided percutaneous microwave ablation
This Category III code is reported for 3D contour simulation of liver lesion(s) undergoing microwave ablation and can only be reported once per procedure, regardless of the number of liver tumors treated. This code should also not be reported with 76376 or 76377 (3D rendering with interpretation and/or post-processing of CT, MRI, US or other tomographic modality). This code has the additional description below:
Code 0944T describes three-dimensional (3D) contour simulation of liver lesion(s) performed by a physician or other qualified health care professional to create model probe pathways and locations, as well as to perform simulated volumetric calculations of the ablation cavity, overlaying of proposed ablation volumes on computed tomography (CT) imaging of the liver, and post-ablation volume comparisons requiring pre- and post-procedure CT imaging and guidance. A 3D contour simulation is separate and distinct from intraoperative imaging guidance and other pre-procedure imaging that are typically performed prior to image-guided liver microwave ablation procedures.
0901T: Placement of bone marrow sampling port, including imaging guidance when performed
This procedure involves the placement of an implantable device for repeated bone marrow sampling. This port is driven into the bone at a site and direction of maximal marrow to allow optimal access for subsequent samplings. This code includes all imaging guidance, and therefore should not be reported in conjunction with 77002 (fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement) or 77012 (computer tomography guidance for needle placement).
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