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01-02-2010 | Original Research

Billing for Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Services: A National Survey

Authors: Tabitha A. Harrison, Debra Lochner Doyle, Caroline McGowan, Leslie Cohen, Elizabeth Repass, Ruthann B. Pfau, Trish Brown

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

In January 2007 the American Medical Association added a new Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) code, 96040, for “Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Services.” In order to identify the impact of having this new code and to identify issues with implementation of the code, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) CPT® Working Group surveyed NSGC members using an internet-based survey tool. The majority of respondents (94%) reported being aware of the new code and over half of the respondents (69%) said they were billing for genetic counseling. Approximately 24% of those billing reported using 96040. Many facilities are not using this code and the reported success of billing using 96040 is highly varied. Continued education may be beneficial to encourage reimbursement for 96040 and follow up is needed to assess the ongoing implementation and impact of the new CPT® code.

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Title: Billing for Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Services: A National Survey
Authors: Tabitha A. Harrison
Debra Lochner Doyle
Caroline McGowan
Leslie Cohen
Elizabeth Repass
Ruthann B. Pfau
Trish Brown
Publication date: 01-02-2010
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-009-9249-5

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