- What is an Interested Party?
- When can CPT code change application materials be requested?
- How can CPT Code Change Application materials be requested?
- How can an IP submit their comments on a CPT Code Change Application?
- How can a prospective IP access the IP Portal?
- Panel meeting registration
- Additional resources
- Contact us
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the CPT® Editorial Panel (Panel) maintain a transparent editorial process. To do this, all of the Panel’s meetings are hybrid (in-person and virtual) and can be attended by anyone that registers.
Stakeholders who want to review submission materials and make comments on specific agenda items at the Panel meeting may do so by following the “Interested Party” process.
The Interested Party request and comment process is integrated with the online Code Change Application (CCA) platform–the CPT® Smart App.
What is an Interested Party?
An Interested Party (IP) is an individual or entity that may potentially be impacted by the CPT Editorial Panel’s decision on a CPT CCA that is pending before the Panel.
When can CPT Code Change Application materials be requested?
CPT Category I/Category III Long Form and AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) Short Form CCA materials are available for IP request and comment roughly 30 days after the CCA deadline. The public agenda will be posted to the Panel meeting page once available.
The Pathology/Laboratory CCA materials are available for IP request and comment a few weeks earlier on a separate laboratory public agenda, which is also posted on the Panel meeting page.
Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) CCA materials are available for IP request and comment after the PLA public agenda has been posted to the PLA page. The PLA agenda is usually posted 3-4 weeks before the PLA meeting.
Key dates can be found on the Panel meeting process page, the PLA meetings and calendar page, and on the CPT Smart App’s IP Portal.
Upon review of an agenda, any interested individual may submit a request to be recognized as an Interested Party to receive materials for specific agenda items of interest. Only requests submitted through the CPT Smart App’s IP Portal will be considered.
How can CPT Code Change Application materials be requested?
Each prospective IP who intends to review materials via the IP Portal must independently request to be an Interested Party. Stakeholders are required to separately request access to each specific CPT CCA in which they are interested.
Once the prospective IP applies for access, completes the accompanying conflict of interest disclosure and legal attestations, and is approved by the AMA, the individual is permitted access to the specific CCA and other relevant materials in advance of the CPT Editorial Panel meeting. For PLA CCAs, supplemental documentation is excluded from the information provided to Interested Parties (e.g., Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), CLIA Certificate, positive and negative reports), as these documents may contain proprietary information. Only information provided on the CCA will be available for PLA IP review.
Interested Parties may provide written comments about the CCA. All materials received by Interested Parties are confidential pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement to which each IP must agree. Interested Parties should not share materials accessed through the IP process outside of their organization. Sharing information with employees within an organization for internal use only and solely in connection with the organization’s coding activities is permitted.
How can an IP submit their comments on a CPT Code Change Application?
Upon receipt of access to a CPT CCA and related materials, Interested Parties may submit written comments via the CPT Smart App. Those who wish to submit a comment will need to click the “Add Comment” button for the CCA. If an individual is not an IP on a particular application or if the comment deadline has passed, the comment function will not be enabled (it will be greyed out).
In order for an IP to submit a comment, they must indicate whether the CCA meets the CPT general and specific criteria or PLA specific criteria (and if not, explain which criteria are not met), and enter additional comments. They may also upload documentation supporting their comment(s)(optional). Comments should be brief, and any literature or documents should be summarized for the CPT Editorial Panel and CPT/HCPAC Advisors’ review.
Any submitted comments and documents will be made available to the CPT Editorial Panel and the CPT/HCPAC Advisors, who may at their discretion respond to and/or collaborate with Interested Parties, in coordination with AMA CPT staff.
Submitted comments and documents will be provided to the Applicant(s) and Preparer(s) of the CCA, who may choose at their discretion to respond to and/or collaborate with Interested Parties, in coordination with AMA CPT staff.
Interested Parties must comply with the CPT Statement on Lobbying, which restricts certain communications. Additionally, materials to which Interested Parties have access are, with limited exceptions, confidential and non-disclosable in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement signed by all Interested Parties. All Interested Parties are expected to comply with these policies.
How can a prospective IP access the IP Portal?
Prospective Interested Parties can access the IP Portal by logging into the CPT Smart App via their AMA login credentials. Once the CPT Smart App Dashboard displays, the navigation links at the top of the page can be used to view the IP Portal.
- If you do not have an AMA profile, select “Create a free account” and follow the instructions provided.
- If you are logging into the CPT Smart App for the first time, you will need to sign the end-user agreement and create a Smart App profile prior to the dashboard being displayed.
Download the CPT Interested Party Help Guide (PDF) for additional instructions on how to use the IP dashboard.
Panel meeting registration
Interested Parties should register for the upcoming Panel meeting to receive vital Panel meeting updates and communications. Whether attending the meeting in person or virtually, registration is mandatory. Registrants receive access to vital meeting communications such as the Consent Agenda, hotel information, meeting updates, and more.
For PLA cycle meetings held independently from the CPT Editorial Panel meetings, please refer to the PLA page for registration details.
Additional resources
- CPT® PLA Codes
- CPT® code change applications via the CPT Smart App
- Panel meeting process calendar
- Panel and RUC meetings & calendar
- Criteria for changes, additions to Category I and Category III codes
Contact us
Should you have any questions on the IP process, please contact [email protected].
