Ep. 585 CPT Code Updates for the OBL with Dr. Goke Akinwande

BackTable Vascular & Interventional

With the annual trend of fluctuating reimbursement rates, have you been on the fence about turning your OBL into an ASC? Make sure your OBL is prepared for the surprising changes in coding coming in 2026. In this episode, Dr. Mary Costantino partners with fellow OBL owner Dr. Goke Akinwande and revenue cycle management expert Laurie Bouzarelos to review the new CPT code changes and how they translate to OBL and ASC reimbursement.
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SYNPOSIS
Dr. Akinwande discusses many positive takeaways after diving into the recent Medicare documents, and highlights key shifts. He believes these changes to add-on codes and territories means one thing: CLI is being heard. The upcoming code changes improve delineation of vascular territories, differentiating between "simple" (stenosis) and "complex" (CTO) procedures. These changes are aimed at rewarding physicians performing the difficult CLI work while decreasing reimbursement for more straightforward cases.
Beyond the CPT code specifics, the conversation also covers real-world implications for OBL owners. Dr. Akinwande explains why these changes might narrow the reimbursement gap between OBLs and ASCs, prompting him to warn against ASC conversion. Laurie Bouzarelos provides guidance on implementation, stressing the importance of updating charge masters, reviewing payer contracts for "gap fill" clauses, and monitoring payments once the new codes go live. The episode ends with a discussion on obstacles in billing, collections, and the need for physicians to master the business side of their practice to ensure financial success.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
04:37 - 2026 CPT Changes Overview
07:18 - Simple vs. Complex Codes
13:16 - Key Add-on Codes
19:52 - OBL vs. ASC Conversion?
24:56 - IVL Reimbursement Trends
29:18 - Update Your Charge Master
41:41 - Pricing & Medicare Year
46:39 - Billing & Collections Reality