“Spotlight on CPT” this month is going to focus on the ABC’s of CPT, that is the appendices in CPT. There are 20 appendices found in the back of the American Medical Association’s (AMA) CPT manual.
Here’s a quick run-down:
Appendix A – Modifiers
Appendix B – Summary of Additions, Deletions, and Revisions
Appendix C – Clinical Examples (deleted)
Appendix D – Summary of CPT Add-on Codes
Appendix E – Summary of CPT Codes Exempt from Modifier 51
Appendix F – Summary of CPT Codes Exempt from Modifier 63
Appendix G – Summary of CPT Codes That Include Moderate (Conscious) Sedation
Appendix H – Alphabetical Clinical Topics Listing (AKA-Alphabetical Listing)
Appendix I – Genetic Testing Code Modifiers
Appendix J – Electrodiagnostic Medicine Listing of Sensory, Motor, and Mixed Nerves
Appendix K – Product Pending FDA Approval
Appendix L – Vascular Families
Appendix M – Renumbered CPT Codes – Citations Crosswalk
Appendix N – Summary of Resequenced CPT Codes
Appendix O – Multianalyte Assays with Algorithmic Analyses and PLAs
Appendix P – CPT Codes That May Be Used for Synchronous Real-Time Interactive Audio-Video Telemedicine Services
Appendix Q – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) Vaccines (deleted)
Appendix R – Digital Medicine-Service Taxonomy
Appendix S – Artificial Intelligence Taxonomy for Medical Services and Procedures
Appendix T – CPT Codes That May Be Used for Synchronous Real-Time Interactive Audio-Only Telemedicine Services
Some of these will be more familiar than others depending on the organization or provider type where a coding professional is employed. Many of us make frequent reference to Appendix A where the modifiers and their definitions are housed. (Quick note-in the AMA CPT manual, the modifiers are also found inside the front cover). In either location, it is important to remember that the modifiers do differ between those used by providers and those used for hospital outpatient services. For example, modifier 53 for discontinued procedure may be used by providers, but the hospital outpatient setting modifiers 73 or 74 would be used depending on if the patient received anesthesia or not.
Appendix B is a great resource to be used at the beginning of the year when the CPT codes are updated. This provides a comprehensive listing of all the changes that took place to codes for the upcoming year. If a code was revised, you can see exactly what was changed.
Appendix L addresses the first, second, and beyond second order determinations of vascular families. Interventional radiology coders will find this resource immensely helpful as not only is there a comprehensive listing of the vascular families but there are also many detailed illustrations.
Appendices P and T provide clarity on code that may be used to convey audio-video (P) or audio-only (T) CPT codes. In the CPT manual, the audio-video codes will be identified with a ★ symbol and indicate that modifier 95 must accompany the code. The audio-only codes are identified with 
and require modifier 93 be assigned.
As you can see, the appendices can provide a wealth of information. Don’t overlook them when assigning CPT codes. Many questions can be answered by just using these references.
Now, light has been shed on using the CPT appendices.
About the Author
Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS, has 25 years of HIM experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from
the University of Cincinnati and holds RHIA, CHPS, CDIP, and CCS
certifications from AHIMA. Dianna’s an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS
trainer, an AHIMA-published author, a participant in AHIMA credential
item writing and exam development, and served on the AHIMA Nominating
Committee. Dianna has held various HIM positions and is now an
independent coding consultant. She previously served as a program
director for Medical Coding and HIT. She presents on coding topics at
the national, state, and regional levels and serves as OHIMA’s Education
Coordinator.
