title: Billing for medical genetics and genetic counseling services: a national survey.
abstract: In January 2007 the American Medical Association added a new Current Procedural Terminology(R) (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(R) 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(R) code.
authors.affiliation: Genetic Services Section, Washington State Department of Health, 20435 72nd Ave S, Suite 200, Kent, WA 98032, USA. Tabitha.Harrison@doh.wa.gov
authors.forename: Tabitha A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Debra Lochner
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Repass
authors.forename: Ruthann B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Pfau
authors.forename: Trish
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000191:economics*; D005823:Genetics / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult