When are carriers instructed to update their coding system to reflect changes made in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)?

Answer: I know, you just got familiar with the old codes and now they went ahead and changed some of them on you. Unfortunately, every new year equals more changes in the coding system. So I guess this probably means you’ll be spending some of your free time researching the changes that will affect you.

HCFA has granted a 90-day grace period to allow you adequate time to make these changes. You may bill a 2000 code for a 2001 date of service until March 31, 2001. This will give you some time to research the new codes to see which changes you may want to make to your superbill and computer system, and to train your billing staff.

During this grace period, HCFA will pay all deleted codes using the applicable 2001 payment methodology. On or after April 1, if you bill a 2000 HCPCS code for a 2001 date of service, HCFA will deny the claim. Don’t use a 2001 HCPCS code to bill for a service performed in 2000.
HCFA has granted a 90-day grace period to allow you adequate time to make these changes. You may bill a 2000 code for a 2001 date of service until March 31, 2001. This will give you some time to research the new codes to see which changes you may want to make to your superbill and computer system, and to train your billing staff.

During this grace period, HCFA will pay all deleted codes using the applicable 2001 payment methodology. On or after April 1, if you bill a 2000 HCPCS code for a 2001 date of service, HCFA will deny the claim. Don’t use a 2001 HCPCS code to bill for a service performed in 2000.