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NLM to Include AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes in the Genetic Testing Registry

Under a recent agreement with the American Medical Association (AMA), the National Library of Medicine will be including the AMA's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for molecular pathology tests in the National Institutes of Health's Genetic Testing Registry (GTR).

GTR, which is operated by NLM's National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), is an NIH resource for comprehensive information about genetic tests. The database provides a central location for voluntary submission of test information by providers. Content includes the test's purpose, methodology, validity, evidence of the test's usefulness, and laboratory contacts and credentials.

Under the new agreement, AMA's CPT codes for molecular pathology tests will be integrated into GTR. The AMA-created codes describe the latest advances in genetic testing and molecular diagnostic services for reporting and tracking purposes.  AMA's new, more detailed CPT codes for molecular pathology became effective in 2012.

Inclusion of the CPT codes in GTR further enhances the database's interoperability with electronic medical records and laboratory information management systems. GTR also incorporates SNOMED CT (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine - Clinical Terms), an extensive clinical terminology produced by the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO), and LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes), produced by the Regenstrief Institute, which provides standardized terms and codes for identifying laboratory and clinical observations.  NLM is the US Member of the IHTSDO and provides support for the development and free US-wide use of both SNOMED CT and LOINC.  CPT, SNOMED CT, and LOINC are required standards in the certification criteria for electronic health record products issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services.

 

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