RUC/CPT

The AMA / Specialty Society Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) also meets three times annually to develop relative value Recommendations for new or revised codes and for codes which have been identified as potentially misvalued by the RUC or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The RUC recommendations are sent to CMS, which makes the final determination for relative values. Detailed information about the RUC can be found at AMA / RUC.

The Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) participates in the processes that are used to determine how vascular procedures are coded in the USA and what relative values are assigned to each code. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel meets three times annually to review CPT code change applications submitted by specialty societies and other stakeholders including industry and payers. More information about the CPT can be found at CPT Overview

SVS has designated Advisors to both the CPT Editorial Panel and the RUC to advocate for correct coding and Reimbursement for vascular surgery procedures and services.

Code Development

The AMA RUC Survey Instruction Videos are now available on YouTube. It is their hope that these videos provide respondents with a general understanding of the purpose and mechanices of the RUC survey process.

• Understanding the RUC Survey Instrument-Physician Services without a Global (e.g. XXX codes)
• Understanding the RUC Survey Instrument-Surgical Services