HCPCS Annual Update: Level II Permanent Code Set Changes for 2020

On November 8, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the annual HCPCS update for 2020. This update includes a comprehensive list of all newly added codes, discontinued codes, description changes, and payment changes. Take time to review these changes applicable for your practice:

1. 8 new modifiers (MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF, MG, MH) were added for "ordering professionals not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism" for a variety of reasons, and for "the order for this service" adheres or does not adhere to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism.
2. 2 new A codes were added in the Medical and Surgical Supplies category.
3. 1 new B codes was added in the Enteral and Parenteral Therapy category.
4. 13 new C codes were added in the Outpatient PPS category.
5. 37 new D codes were added in the Dental category created and maintained by the American Dental Association (ADA) and reported in the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) manual.
6. 2 new E codes were added in the Durable Medical Equipment category.
7. 119 new G codes (to report and document patient vaccine status) were added in the Procedures / Professional Services category.
8. 22 new J codes were added in the Drugs Administered Other than Oral Method category.
9. 11 new J codes were added in the Chemotherapy Drugs category.
10. 5 new K codes were added in the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) category.
11. 1 new L code was added in the Orthotic Procedures and Services category.
12. 1 new L code was added in the Prosthetic Procedures category.
13. 39 new M codes (to report and document degenerative neurological care episodes) were added in the Medical Services category.
14. 1 P code was added in the Pathology and Laboratory Services category.
15. 25 new Q codes (to report a variety of wound care supplies and a handful of injections) were added in the Temporary Codes category.
16. 104 codes have been discontinued.
17. 87 codes have long description changes.
18. 2 codes have short description changes.
19. 10 codes are slated to have payment changes.