Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening’s Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code S8032, used by private payers, will be deleted and not available for use as of Oct. 1, 2016.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) noted this change in its HCPCS quarterly update released in July. CMS cross references to the G0297 (Low dose CT scan (LDCT) for lung cancer screening) code for use.
The “S” codes are used by private insurers to report drugs, services and supplies when no national codes are available. Code S8032 was established in October 2014, prior to the establishment of the HCPCS Level II G0297 code, which was effective on Jan. 4, 2016 and retroactive to Feb. 5, 2015.
For a listing of frequently asked questions and historical background on LDCT scanning for lung cancer screening, see the following references: