The 2021 procedure coding system (NCMP-NCSP-NCRP) issued in Norway

In early November 2020, the final version of the procedure coding system for 2021 was issued by the Norwegian Directorate for e-Health. The coding system consists of three parts: NCMP for medical procedures, NCSP for surgical, and NCRP for radiological procedures. The following documents are available:

• All procedure codes 2020-2021
• Changes in NCMP 2020-2021
• Cumulative Changes in NCMP 2006-2021
• Changes in NCSP 2020-2021
• Cumulative Changes in NCSP 1999-2021
• Changes in NCRP 2020-2021

The following changes were made in the surgical procedure coding system (NCSP):

• Two new surgical procedure codes introduced for laparoscopy:

• JCE31 “Laparoscopic surgery for oesophageal atresia or congenital tracheoesophageal fistula”
• JGB21 “Laparoscopic partial recto-sigmoidectomy and abdominoperineal pull-through anastomosis”

• Two new categories added for knee ligament procedures - for primary reconstruction and revision reconstruction, and 16 new codes added
• New procedure code NAT27 “Posterior correction of the thoracolumbosacral column with ilium fixation, with an internal instrument”

Two new radiology procedure codes (NCRP) were introduced:

• PJK40K “Marker insertion in the axillary lymph node, ultrasound-guided” - a new procedure for neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer
• SAC0AK “UL Neuromuscular ultrasound” for investigation and follow-up of neuromuscular disease

Nine new medical procedure codes added (NCMP):

• AXDP05 “Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)”

High speed video for measuring vestibular reflex during rapid head movements. Including interpretation of video recordings. Note: Introduced at the request of Helse Bergen

• JAGD55 “Patient-administered peritoneal dialysis”
• MAFX11 “Lactate measurement in the fetal scalp”
• WO6100 “Preparation of a new (re) habilitation plan”
• OCAA00 “Revision of (re) habilitation plan”
• RXGD50 “Initiation of patient-administered hemodialysis”

Including: training in the use of medical technical equipment Note: There is already a corresponding start-up code for patient-administered peritoneal dialysis, and it is natural that there is also a corresponding start-up code for patient-administered hemodialysis

• RXGD55 “Patient-administered hemodialysis”
• WABA30 “Insulation due to radiation protection considerations”

Note: New code for isolation measures for use when the patient has been treated with radioactive medicine or has been exposed to radioactive exposure that may endanger the environment.

• WMAA11 “Interdisciplinary assessment of known condition”. New code for reporting interdisciplinary assessment when the patient has a known diagnosis and is followed up interdisciplinary.

The coding guide is planned to be issued in December 2020.

See the full details here.

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