Updated 2022 THA Ambulatory Surgery Definition

As you are aware, with each new year comes a new set of CPT/HCPCS codes.  After extensive review of the new 2022 codes by the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) and the Tennessee Health Information Management Association (THIMA) professionals, we have determined which codes should be included or excluded from the ambulatory surgery definition beginning with the Q1-2022 discharge data which are due May 30, 2022. 

Please find the updated, change version, definition document here.  As you review the document you will see changes to the special inclusion and exclusion lists:  codes removed are highlighted in yellow; and codes added are highlighted in peach.  You may also find the FINAL ambulatory surgery definition document here (this version does not include markups).  Below is a breakdown of changes for 2022 THA ambulatory surgery definition: 

  • 30 CPT codes were added to the general surgery range of 10021-69990 
  • 4 codes were removed, and 7 codes were added to the select included CPT code list that are not within the general surgery range
  • 11 codes were removed, and 14 codes were added to the Category III selections 

This update will continue to be made each year with the release of new CPT/HCPCS codes. 

The THA ambulatory surgery definition document is made available so you understand how HIDINet flags your outpatient records as an ambulatory surgery record.  Please continue to submit all of your outpatient records as you currently do, and the system will continue to define and flag the ambulatory surgery records for you. 

You do not have to make any changes to the way you currently submit your data.  This is only an update to reflect the new 2022 CPT/HCPCS codes that are included or excluded in the ambulatory surgery definition.