News From The AMA: Coronavirus Test Fast-Tracked For CPT Code

To empower surveillance and laboratory testing in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the American Medical Association (AMA) announced a unique Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code for reporting novel coronavirus tests will be considered at a special CPT Editorial Panel meeting this week.

If approved, the new CPT code will support the response to the urgent public health need for streamlined reporting of novel coronavirus testing offered by hospitals, health systems and laboratories in the United States.

“Moving as quickly as possible to put in place a CPT code for a novel coronavirus test will bolster a data-driven response to the COVID-19 disease outbreak in the United States,” said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A. “By streamlining the flow of information on novel coronavirus testing, a new CPT code facilitates the reporting, measuring, analyzing, researching, and benchmarking that is necessary to help guide the nation’s response to the public health emergency.”

To read the full release click here.