Medicare adds codes for surgery centers

Medicare has added some codes for procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Effective for services performed on or after Jan. 1, 2001, the following codes will be paid as an ASC facility payment:

• code 19102, breast biospy, payment group 2;
• code 19103, breast biopsy, payment group 2;
• code 58353, thermal endometrial ablation, payment group 4;
• code 66982, cataract, payment group 8.

In addition, beginning July 1, 2001, Medicare covers screening colonoscopy for individuals not at high risk for colorectal cancer. The code is paid as G0121, payment group 2.