Coding and coverage for cardiac CT in the era of algorithm-based healthcare procedures and services.

Abstract

In order for patients to gain the benefit of innovation in cardiac CT, it is necessary for coding, coverage, and payment to adapt to the novelty of algorithm-based healthcare procedures and services (ABHS). Appendix S to the CPT Code Set, the "AI Taxonomy", enables creation of discrete and differentiable codes for reimbursement of ABHS which has been clinically validated and FDA-labeled. Payment policy in OPPS and PFS is evolving to take account of the unique opportunities and issues arising from the clinical adoption of ABHS.