Big Changes in 2023 for Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have created over 50 new C-codes (C7500–C7555) for Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) that affect many procedures. These codes were created to allow additional payment for packaged services for ASCs.
It is important to note that the new C-codes do not apply to hospital facility coding.
Typically, C-codes also apply to facility coding under OPPS. However, these codes do not. Rather, they are designated as status indicators of E1. Status indicator E1 applies to items, codes, and services that are not covered by any Medicare outpatient benefit category, statutorily excluded, and/or not reasonable and necessary. These are not reimbursed by Medicare when submitted on outpatient claims, which includes any outpatient bill type. Therefore, hospital facility coders should not use the HCPCS codes covered in this article.
This article highlights the new C-codes that affect Cardiology, Interventional Radiology and Electrophysiology. There will be situations where a combination of C-codes and Category I codes will need to be reported. The descriptors are very specific to certain combinations of services.
Note: CPT codes and descriptions only are copyright 2022 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Apply. Dental codes (D codes) are copyright 2022 American Dental Association. All Rights Reserved.
Cardiology
| HCPCS Code | Long Descriptor | Subject to Multiple Procedure Discounting | Final CY 2023 Comment Indicator | Final CY 2023 Payment Indicator | Final CY 2023 Payment Weight | Final CY 2023 Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C7516 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, with endoluminal imaging of initial coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging supervision, interpretation and report | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7517 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, with iliac and/or femoral artery angiography, non-selective, bilateral or ipsilateral to catheter insertion, performed at the same time as cardiac catheterization and/or coronary angiography, includes positioning or placement of the catheter in the distal aorta or ipsilateral femoral or iliac artery, injection of dye, production of permanent images, and radiologic supervision and interpretation | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7518 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) including intraprocedural injection(s) for bypass graft angiography with endoluminal imaging of initial coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging, supervision, interpretation and report | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7519 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) including intraprocedural injection(s) for bypass graft angiography with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (initial coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7520 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) includes intraprocedural injection(s) for bypass graft angiography with iliac and/or femoral artery angiography, non-selective, bilateral or ipsilateral to catheter insertion, performed at the same time as cardiac catheterization and/or coronary angiography, includes positioning or placement of the catheter in the distal aorta or ipsilateral femoral or iliac artery, injection of dye, production of permanent images, and radiologic supervision and interpretation | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7521 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography with right heart catheterization with endoluminal imaging of initial coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging supervision, interpretation and report | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7522 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation with right heart catheterization, with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (initial coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7523 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, with endoluminal imaging of initial coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging supervision, interpretation and report | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7524 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (initial coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7525 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography with endoluminal imaging of initial coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging supervision, interpretation and report | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7526 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (initial coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7527 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, with endoluminal imaging of initial coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging supervision, interpretation and report | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7528 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (initial coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7529 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(ies) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation, with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (initial coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress | N | NC | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7533 | Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, single major coronary artery or branch with transcatheter placement of radiation delivery device for subsequent coronary intravascular brachytherapy | N | NC | J8 | 106.5754 | $5,526.36 |
| C7552 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) including intraprocedural injection(s) for bypass graft angiography and right heart catheterization with intravascular doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress, initial vessel | N | NI | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
| C7553 | Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography with pharmacologic agent administration (eg, inhaled nitric oxide, intravenous infusion of nitroprusside, dobutamine, milrinone, or other agent) including assessing hemodynamic measurements before, during, after and repeat pharmacologic agent administration, when performed | N | NI | G2 | 44.8773 | $2,327.07 |
As noted in these short descriptors, many of these procedures are a combination of coronary angiography (coronary only, coronary with graphs, right heart with coronary, left heart with coronary, right and left with coronary, coronary with graphs, left heart with coronary with graphs, right and left heart with coronary and graphs) with either Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) or Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS). If FFR or IVUS are not performed, use regular Category I codes (93451–93461).
These new C-codes do not include percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Those procedures would be reported in addition to the diagnostic study.
Interventional Radiology
| HCPCS Code | Long Descriptor | Subject to Multiple Procedure Discounting | Final CY 2023 Comment Indicator | Final CY 2023 Payment Indicator | Final CY 2023 Payment Weight | Final CY 2023 Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C7501 | Percutaneous breast biopsies using stereotactic guidance, with placement of breast localization device(s) (eg, clip, metallic pellet), when performed, and imaging of the biopsy specimen, when performed, all lesions unilateral and bilateral (for single lesion biopsy, use appropriate code) | N | NC | G2 | 20.6832 | $1,072.51 |
| C7502 | Percutaneous breast biopsies using magnetic resonance guidance, with placement of breast localization device(s) (eg, clip, metallic pellet), when performed, and imaging of the biopsy specimen, when performed, all lesions unilateral or bilateral (for single lesion biopsy, use appropriate code) | N | NC | G2 | 20.6832 | $1,072.51 |
| C7504 | Percutaneous vertebroplasties (bone biopsies included when performed), first cervicothoracic and any additional cervicothoracic or lumbosacral vertebral bodies, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance | N | NC | G2 | 60.5171 | $3,138.05 |
| C7505 | Percutaneous vertebroplasties (bone biopsies included when performed), first lumbosacral and any additional cervicothoracic or lumbosacral vertebral bodies, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance | N | NC | G2 | 60.5171 | $3,138.05 |
| C7507 | Percutaneous vertebral augmentations, first thoracic and any additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral bodies, including cavity creations (fracture reductions and bone biopsies included when performed) using mechanical device (eg, kyphoplasty), unilateral or bilateral cannulations, inclusive of all imaging guidance | N | NC | G2 | 124.0889 | $6,434.51 |
| C7508 | Percutaneous vertebral augmentations, first lumbar and any additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral bodies, including cavity creations (fracture reductions and bone biopsies included when performed) using mechanical device (eg, kyphoplasty), unilateral or bilateral cannulations, inclusive of all imaging guidance | N | NC | G2 | 124.0889 | $6,434.51 |
| C7513 | Dialysis circuit, introduction of needle(s) and/or catheter(s), with diagnostic angiography of the dialysis circuit, including all direct puncture(s) and catheter placement(s), injection(s) of contrast, all necessary imaging from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through entire venous outflow including the inferior or superior vena cava, fluoroscopic guidance, with transluminal balloon angioplasty of central dialysis segment, performed through dialysis circuit, including all required imaging, radiological supervision and interpretation, image documentation and report | N | NC | R2 | 27.8465 | $1,443.95 |
| C7514 | Dialysis circuit, introduction of needle(s) and/or catheter(s), with diagnostic angiography of the dialysis circuit, including all direct puncture(s) and catheter placement(s), injection(s) of contrast, all necessary imaging from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through entire venous outflow including the inferior or superior vena cava, fluoroscopic guidance, with all angioplasty in the central dialysis segment, and transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s), central dialysis segment, performed through dialysis circuit, including all required imaging, radiological supervision and interpretation, image documentation and report | N | NC | R2 | 27.8465 | $1,443.95 |
| C7515 | Dialysis circuit, introduction of needle(s) and/or catheter(s), with diagnostic angiography of the dialysis circuit, including all direct puncture(s) and catheter placement(s), injection(s) of contrast, all necessary imaging from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through entire venous outflow including the inferior or superior vena cava, fluoroscopic guidance, with dialysis circuit permanent endovascular embolization or occlusion of main circuit or any accessory veins, including all required imaging, radiological supervision and interpretation, image documentation and report | N | NC | R2 | 27.8465 | $1,443.95 |
| C7530 | Dialysis circuit, introduction of needle(s) and/or catheter(s), with diagnostic angiography of the dialysis circuit, including all direct puncture(s) and catheter placement(s), injection(s) of contrast, all necessary imaging from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through entire venous outflow including the inferior or superior vena cava, fluoroscopic guidance, with transluminal balloon angioplasty, peripheral dialysis segment, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty and all angioplasty in the central dialysis segment, with transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s), central dialysis segment, performed through dialysis circuit, including all imaging, radiological supervision and interpretation, documentation and report | N | NC | G2 | 88.3120 | $4,579.33 |
| C7531 | Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral, popliteal artery(ies), unilateral, with transluminal angioplasty with intravascular ultrasound (initial noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | J8 | 105.7203 | $5,482.02 |
| C7532 | Transluminal balloon angioplasty (except lower extremity artery(ies) for occlusive disease, intracranial, coronary, pulmonary, or dialysis circuit), initial artery, open or percutaneous, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty within the same artery, with intravascular ultrasound (initial noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | J8 | 102.0024 | $5,289.23 |
| C7534 | Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral, popliteal artery(ies), unilateral, with atherectomy, includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed with intravascular ultrasound (initial noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | J8 | 194.5291 | $10,087.11 |
| C7535 | Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral, popliteal artery(ies), unilateral, with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed, with intravascular ultrasound (initial noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | J8 | 192.8382 | $9,999.43 |
| C7545 | Percutaneous exchange of biliary drainage catheter (eg, external, internal-external, or conversion of internal-external to external only), with removal of calculi/debris from biliary duct(s) and/or gallbladder, including destruction of calculi by any method (eg, mechanical, electrohydraulic, lithotripsy) when performed, including diagnostic cholangiography(ies) when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | G2 | 43.8422 | $2,273.39 |
| C7546 | Removal and replacement of externally accessible nephroureteral catheter (eg, external/internal stent) requiring fluoroscopic guidance, with ureteral stricture balloon dilation, including imaging guidance and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | G2 | 28.8611 | $1,496.56 |
| C7547 | Convert nephrostomy catheter to nephroureteral catheter, percutaneous via pre-existing nephrostomy tract, with ureteral stricture balloon dilation, including diagnostic nephrostogram and/or ureterogram when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | J8 | 33.4466 | $1,734.34 |
| C7548 | Exchange nephrostomy catheter, percutaneous, with ureteral stricture balloon dilation, including diagnostic nephrostogram and/or ureterogram when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | G2 | 28.8611 | $1,496.56 |
| C7549 | Change of ureterostomy tube or externally accessible ureteral stent via ileal conduit with ureteral stricture balloon dilation, including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | N | NC | G2 | 28.8611 | $1,496.56 |
As noted in the short descriptors, these are combinations of procedures that have incorporated add-on code procedures into the main descriptor. E.g., C7501 describes percutaneous biopsy of breast lesions under stereotactic guidance. If only one breast lesion is biopsied, use regular category 1 code 19081. Code C7504 describes vertebroplasties in more than one level under one C-code. If only a single level vertebroplasty is performed, use Category I codes, not the C-code.
Electrophysiology
| HCPCS Code | Long Descriptor | Subject to Multiple Procedure Discounting | Final CY 2023 Comment Indicator | Final CY 2023 Payment Indicator | Final CY 2023 Payment Weight | Final CY 2023 Payment Rate |
| C7537 | Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with atrial transvenous electrode(s), with insertion of pacing electrode, cardiac venous system, for left ventricular pacing, at time of insertion of implantable defibrillator or pacemaker pulse generator (eg, for upgrade to dual chamber system) | N | NC | J8 | 194.7346 | $10,097.77 |
| C7538 | Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with ventricular transvenous electrode(s), with insertion of pacing electrode, cardiac venous system, for left ventricular pacing, at time of insertion of implantable defibrillator or pacemaker pulse generator (eg, for upgrade to dual chamber system) | N | NC | J8 | 194.1979 | $10,069.94 |
| C7539 | Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with atrial and ventricular transvenous electrode(s), with insertion of pacing electrode, cardiac venous system, for left ventricular pacing, at time of insertion of implantable defibrillator or pacemaker pulse generator (eg, for upgrade to dual chamber system) | N | NC | J8 | 197.9109 | $10,262.47 |
| C7540 | Removal of permanent pacemaker pulse generator with replacement of pacemaker pulse generator, dual lead system, with insertion of pacing electrode, cardiac venous system, for left ventricular pacing, at time of insertion of implantable defibrillator or pacemaker pulse generator (eg, for upgrade to dual chamber system) | N | NC | J8 | 194.5441 | $10,087.89 |
These procedures include placing or replacing of a pacemaker with placement of a left coronary sinus lead. If a coronary sinus lead is not placed in addition to the pacemaker procedure, use regular Category I codes.
Payment Indicators
Listed below is the CY 2023 ASC DD1, which describes Payment Indicators and their definitions:
| Addendum DD1 — Final ASC Payment Indicators for CY 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Indicator | Payment Indicator Definition |
| A2 | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. |
| B5 | Alternative code may be available; no payment made |
| D5 | Deleted/discontinued code; no payment made. |
| F4 | Corneal tissue acquisition, hepatitis B vaccine; paid at reasonable cost. |
| G2 | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. |
| H2 | Brachytherapy source paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS rate. |
| J7 | OPPS pass-through device paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment contractor-priced. |
| J8 | Device-intensive procedure; paid at adjusted rate. |
| K2 | Drugs and biologicals paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS rate. |
| K5 | Items, codes, and services for which pricing information and claims data are not available. No payment made. |
| K7 | Unclassified drugs and biologicals; payment contractor-priced. |
| L1 | Influenza vaccine; pneumococcal vaccine. Packaged item/service; no separate payment made. |
| L6 | New Technology Intraocular Lens (NTIOL); special payment. |
| N1 | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. |
| P2 | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. |
| P3 | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. |
| R2 | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later without MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. |
| Z2 | Radiology or diagnostic service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. |
| Z3 | Radiology or diagnostic service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. |
Comment Indicators
Listed below is the CY 2023 ASC DD2, which describes the comment indicators and definitions:
| Addendum DD2 — Final ASC Comment Indicators for CY 2023 | |
| CI | Comment Indicator Meanings |
| CH | Active HCPCS code in current year and next calendar year, payment indicator assignment has changed; or active HCPCS code that is newly recognized as payable in ASC; or active HCPCS code that is discontinued at the end of the current calendar year. |
| NI | New code for the next calendar year or existing code with substantial revision to its code descriptor in the next calendar year, interim payment indicator assignment; comments will be accepted on the interim payment indicator for the new code. |
| NP | New code for the next calendar year or existing code with substantial revision to its code descriptor in the next calendar year as compared to current calendar year, proposed ASC payment indicator; comments will be accepted on the proposed ASC payment indicator for the new code. |
| NC | New code for the next calendar year or existing code with substantial revision to its code descriptor in the next calendar year as compared to current calendar year for which we requested comments in the proposed rule, final APC assignment; comments will not be accepted on the final APC assignment for the new code. |
Also available under this ASC Addenda are tabs for 2023 ASC BB which listed covered ancillary services, CY2023 ASC EE Excluded from payment in ASCs, and CY 2023 ASC FF supporting Offset percentages.
Helpful Links
For a complete list of services covered under the new C-codes, please refer to Addendum AA — Final ASC Covered Surgical Procedures for CY 2023 (Including Surgical Procedures for Which Payment is Packaged) within the 2023 NFRM ASC Addenda (linked below).
