New CPT Code for Costs Related to COVID-19 and Advocacy to Urge Payers to Provide Coverage

On November 7, the AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel announced the approval of CPT code 99072 to be used to report the additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time over and above the practice expense(s) included in an office visit or other non-facility service(s) when performed during a public health emergency, as defined by law, due to respiratory-transmitted infectious disease. To help address the significant fiscal pressures placed on physicians by the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMA and other associations, including ISASS, submitted multiple letters urging the CMS, America’s Health Insurance Plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and major commercial health plans (i.e., Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Health Care Service Corporation, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare) to immediately implement and pay for CPT code 99072.

To read the letters see attached PDFs:

letter to CMS: Click Here

letter to BCBSA: Click Here

letter to Anthem: Click Here

letter to United Health Group: Click Here