The new 2006 HCPCS codes were released in late October by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The codes are in effect as of Jan. 1, 2006.

The customary 90-day grace period is no longer allowed, so it is vital to be current on all of the changes to the L codes, including new codes, deleted codes and changes to code descriptors.

Fees for the new codes were not released, as of press time. Since CMS is still working on fees for many of the new 2005 codes, we do not anticipate fees for the new 2006 codes will be established quickly.

For the complete list of codes, click here.

Check AOPA's Web site, www.AOPAnet.org, for updates.