What is the CPT code for CT lung cancer screening?

What is the CPT code for CT lung cancer screening?

LDCT Lung Cancer Screening is billed using CPT® 71271, “Computed tomography, thorax, low dose for lung cancer screening, without contrast material(s)”, which replaced HCPCS code G0297 as of January 1, 2021.

What is the difference between G0297 and 71250?

A new code was developed for lung cancer screening to replace G0297. The existing codes for CT of the thorax (71250-71270) have been revised as “diagnostic” and should not be used for lung cancer screening.

What is procedure code 71271?

Group 1

Code	Description
71271	COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, THORAX, LOW DOSE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING, WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL(S)
G0296	COUNSELING VISIT TO DISCUSS NEED FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING USING LOW DOSE CT SCAN (LDCT) (SERVICE IS FOR ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION AND SHARED DECISION MAKING)

What does a CT lung screening show?

CT scans allow doctors to see cross-sectional images (slices) of your body. This slice shows heart and lung tissue. Lung cancer screening is a process that’s used to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people with a high risk of lung cancer.

How do you code lung cancer screening?

For Lung-RADS categories 1 and 2 with recommendations at a 12 month cycle, are considered an annual screening exam and reported with CPT code 71271. For Lung-RADS categories 3 and 4 with recommendations at 3-6 month follow up, CPT code 71250 non-contrast chest CT (diagnostic) is reported.

Is CT lung screening covered by insurance?

Affordable Care Act Mandates Insurance Coverage of Annual CT Lung Screening for High-Risk Patients. A low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening test that has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from the nation’s leading cancer killer, lung cancer, has become more affordable for high-risk patients. Effective Jan …

Is G0297 deleted for 2021?

This is a reminder that HCPCS code G0297 (Low dose CT scan [LDCT] for Lung Cancer Screening) is no longer a valid code and will no longer be accepted by the HETS 270/271 Medicare eligibility system after January 31, 2021.

What is CPT G0297?

HCPCS code G0297 is the current code: Low dose CT scan for lung cancer screening.

Is 71271 covered by Medicare?

Medicare will deny G0296 and 71271 for claims that do not contain these ICD-10 diagnosis codes: Z87. 891 for former smokers (personal history of nicotine dependence). See list of Current Smoker Diagnosis Codes.

Does 71271 replace G0297?

Effective January 1, 2021 HCPCS code G0297 (Low dose CT scan [LDCT] for Lung Cancer Screening) will no longer be a valid code. Code 71271 (Computed Tomography, thorax, low dose for lung cancer screening, without contrast materials) will replace code G0297 effective January 1, 2021.

What can a CT scan not detect?

Where MRI really excels is showing certain diseases that a CT scan cannot detect. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and certain liver cancers, are pretty much invisible or very hard to detect on a CT scan. Metastases to the bone and brain also show up better on an MRI.

Why would a doctor order a CT scan of the lungs?

A CT scan of the chest can help find problems such as infection, lung cancer, blocked blood flow in the lung (pulmonary embolism), and other lung problems. It also can be used to see if cancer has spread into the chest from another area of the body.

Is the lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography covered?

Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a chest CT scan performed at settings to minimize radiation exposure compared to a standard chest CT. Screening for lung cancer with LDCT is not currently covered under the Medicare program.

Are there diagnostic CTS for lung cancer screening?

The scope of our review is limited to the consideration of screening for lung cancer with LDCT. Diagnostic CTs are outside the scope of this national coverage analysis. Lung cancer (LC) is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

What is the CPT code for lung cancer screening?

CPT Code Description 71271 . Computed tomography, thorax, low dose for lung cancer screening, without contrast material (Effective 01/01/2021)

What makes a lung CT scan a low dose?

The radiation dose for CT lung screening is considered “low-dose” because the radiation exposure is less than a CT scan of the chest that’s done for a diagnosed medical problem. For more information on Lung CT please call, 404-778-2039 or complete the information request form below.