American College of Radiology submits 23 imaging-related CPT codes for consideration

The American College of Radiology recently submitted 23 imaging-related CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes for consideration by the American Medical Association. 

ACR presented its proposals at the Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee, or RUC, meeting held Jan. 14 to 17 in Los Angeles. These RUC surveys are the avenue through which radiologists and other physicians can participate in the code-valuation process. 

Specialty societies like the ACR are tasked with randomly sampling their members when a pertinent code is up for review. This allows them to gather physician feedback on the time and intensity involved in performing each procedure, Stephanie Le, the college’s director of economic policy, tells Radiology Business.

“The meeting was constructive,” she said by email Friday. “Radiology came well‑prepared with strong data, and our advisors advocated effectively for our members. While RUC outcomes don’t always align with our requests and [the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] ultimately decides, our input was given thoughtful consideration. We remain committed to protecting the value of radiology services.”

ACR shared details of the requests in a news update published Jan. 22. The codes cover several radiology and multispecialty procedures including CT of the upper extremity, MR angiography of the head and neck, prostate biopsy services, fine needle aspiration, and treatment of incompetent veins. Many of the codes in these five families already exist. However, when referred to the CPT Panel for review, code descriptors may need to be updated, revised or restructured in some way (such as bundling or deletions), Le said. 

Due to process confidentiality rules, she could not share sensitive details of the CPT requests before the American Medical Association or CMS does so. All codes discussed at this month’s meeting will be published in the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and take effect next Jan. 1. ACR is now preparing for the next RUC meeting slated to take place this spring in Chicago. 

“We will have a better idea what codes (radiology or nonradiology) are on the agenda in a couple weeks. These 23 codes will not be discussed again in April,” Le told Radiology Business. 

ACR RUC Advisor Andrew Moriarity, MD, MBA, and ACR RUC Alternate Advisor Michael Booker, MD, MBA, presented practice expense and physician work recommendations for all five code families, the college noted in its news update. Robert Bour, MD, RUC advisor for the Radiological Society of North America, supported the presentations on MR angiography of the head and neck and CT upper extremity codes. Several ACR fellows also observed, “gaining firsthand insight into the valuation and recommendation process.”