Where can the status indicators for surgical procedures be found?

The status indicators for surgical procedures are located on the National Physician Fee Schedule (NPFS) Relative Value File. This is because the NPFS includes important information related to reimbursement for services, including the status indicators that reflect whether a surgical procedure is covered, its payment level, and any associated conditions or codes. The status indicators help clarify whether the procedures are subject to certain rules, such as whether they are performed in an outpatient setting or in a hospital.

The Annual CPT Code Update primarily addresses updates and changes to the Current Procedural Terminology codes themselves but does not specify reimbursement details or status indicators. The Medicare General Information Guidelines provide overviews and basic rules for Medicare claims but do not contain the detailed payment-related information found in the NPFS. While each patient’s medical record includes crucial information about individual services rendered, it does not provide generalized coding status indicators that apply to procedures across the board. Thus, the National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File is the correct source for accessing status indicators related to surgical procedures.