The American Medical Association (AMA) CPT^® Editorial Panel has approved several new Category I and proprietary laboratory analyses (PLA) CPT^® codes connected to COVID-19. Examples of services represented by these codes include lab tests to check for current infection, lab tests to check for antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which may indicate past infection and possible current immunity), and vaccine and immunization administration.

Because of the urgency of the situation, the code updates have not followed the usual release and implementation schedule. Instead, the codes are typically effective as soon as the AMA posts them. For instance, the first new code — 87635 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), amplified probe technique — was published and effective March 13, 2020. The vaccine and immunization codes may include a note indicating they are effective once the vaccine receives Emergency Use Authorization or approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

The AMA posts new codes on its COVID-19 Coding and Guidance page. The page also includes links to CPT^® Assistant guides for many of the codes.

Reference: AAPC