New Category III Code

CPT contains Category III emerging technology codes which allow the collection of data on new services and procedures that would otherwise be treated as unlisted or miscellaneous. Category III codes are probationary – they expire in five years if the service or procedure is not elevated to a Level 1 code through widespread adoption and recognition.

Unlike category 1 codes which are only published in January, the American Medical Association (AMA) releases Category III codes in July and January by posting them on their website at www.ama-assn.org/.

The AMA released the following new Category III code on July 1, 2009, with an implementation date of January 1, 2010. This new code will appear in the 2010 CPT manual.

• 0207T – Evacuation of meibomian glands, automated, using

heat and intermittent pressure, unilateral

The assignment of a Category III code does not mean that the service or procedure is endorsed, approved, safe or has applicability to clinical practice. The utility of a new procedure only becomes known with experience, time and careful study.

Additional device information will be made available in the future.