AMA Announces New Add-On Digital Pathology Codes – No Reimbursement (Yet)

The American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Editorial Panel has
announced 13 new digital pathology add-on codes effective on January
1, 2023. The new digital pathology Category III CPT codes will be used
to report additional clinical staff work and service requirements associated
with digitizing glass slides for primary diagnosis.

Introduction of the codes will allow CMS to monitor the usage of digital
pathology. However, no relative value units (RVUs) or national payment
rates have been assigned to the new codes.

“It’s an important first step, but widespread use in clinical practice will
need to be demonstrated before the new codes are moved to Category I
and assigned RVUs,” notes Jonathan Myles, MD, Chair of the Council
on Government and Professional Affairs at the College of American
Pathologists (CAP).