The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published transmittals to announce the discontinuing of numerous G series HCPCS codes, and the activation of the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) AMA CPT codes for providers. These changes will be implemented on April 4, 2005; however they are retroactive to the effective date of January 30, 2005.

During the transition period, PET imaging providers should contact their Medicare carriers or fiscal intermediaries as well as their private payers for coding instructions. Several Medicare contractors have responded to our inquiries saying it is business as usual for using G codes until April 4. Providers may choose to hold their claims with dates of service from January 30 or later, or they may continue to use the G codes during the transition period.

The Medicare announcement does not affect private payer claims, but some payers that don't already require the CPT codes may follow CMS' lead on this change.

Here is the CMS change request and a related Medlearn Matters articles for your reference:

1st Update to the 2005 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database, Change Request 3726, dated February 11, 2005: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R475CP.pdf

Education provided in Medlearn Matters: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3726.pdf