General criteria for Category I and Category III codes
The proposed descriptor is unique, well-defined and describes a procedure or service which is clearly identified and distinguished from existing procedures and services already in CPT. The descriptor structure, guidelines and instructions are consistent with current editorial panel standards for maintenance of the code set.
The proposed descriptor for the procedure or service is neither a fragmentation of an existing procedure or service nor currently reportable as a complete service by 1 or more existing codes (with the exclusion of unlisted codes). However, procedures and services frequently performed together may require new or revised codes.
The structure and content of the proposed code descriptor accurately reflects the procedure or service as typically performed. If always or frequently performed with 1 or more other procedures or services, the descriptor structure and content will reflect the typical combination or complete procedure or service.
The descriptor for the procedure or service is not proposed as a means to report extraordinary circumstances related to the performance of a procedure or service already described in the CPT code set.
The procedure or service satisfies the category-specific criteria set forth below.