Janurary | February 2012 www.ASGE.org
VOL. 19, NO. 1
An Official Publication of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
CPT® 2012 coding update
8 Ask the expert:
Quality indicators in endoscopy
14 NCRCAM 2012: Focus on quality
18 Attend the Crystal Awards to
Attend the Crystal Awards to
laud colleagues, enjoy a fun evening
23 ASGE Online Learning Center
features Dr. Rex video on
colonoscopy technique
29 “Investing in the Future Program”
to create interest in gastroenterology
32 ASGE Ambassador Program
traveled to Ecuador and Solomon
Islands in 2011
See Inside this issue on pg. 2 for
a detailed list of contents.
ASGE, the AGA Institute and the American College of
Gastroenterology work closely together to ensure that adequate
methods are in place for gastroenterology practices to report
and obtain fair and reasonable reimbursement for procedures,
tests and visits. The society advisors continuously review
Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT®) and work through the
American Medical Association (AMA) process to revise and add
new codes, as appropriate.
During the 2011 CPT cycle, GI advisors worked on such areas
as new and deleted CPT Codes for Abdominal Paracentesis and
Peritoneal Lavage and other CPT code revisions, new Physician
Quality Reporting System (PQRS) measures for 2012, new
International Classification of Diseases (ICD)- 9 and ICD- 10 codes and the AMA’s Relative Value
Update Committee (RUC) Survey Process. The GI societies also received and answered many GI
billing and coding questions during this period.
“Through consistent hard work, we’ve earned the respect of CPT, RUC and the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services and hence can be effective for our members and our patients,”
said Glenn D. Littenberg, MD, CPT Physician Advisor for ASGE and chair, ASGE Practice
Management Committee.
continued on page 28
President’s message
Gregory G. Ginsberg, MD, FASGE
2011–2012 ASGE President
Collaboration and innovation —
hallmarks of ASGE
Colon Cancer: Preventable. Treatable. Beatable.
ASGE strives to listen to its members. When we solicit survey data and when members
spontaneously communicate with us, those conveyances are thoughtfully considered.
Order Blue Star pins online!
Working effectively with our sister societies
As a result of member input, one of the five strategic directions of the revised 2011 strategic
plan was that:
ASGE will be the lead partner with other societies in advocating for endoscopic
and related digestive health issues.
Made possible, in part, through the
ASGE Foundation.
The society’s governing board understands members’ desires for their professional endoscopy
society to work collaboratively with its sister organizations so as to maximize member benefits
and minimize expenditures and agrees with these goals.
