ABC codes and terminology are maintained and developed annually as consumers, individual practitioners, practitioner associations and other health industry organizations submit code requests that reflect current practices in alternative medicine, nursing and integrative healthcare. ABC Coding Solutions encourages the public to request and/or suggest additions, deletions, or changes to ABC codes and terminology. 

New Code and Terminology Request

ABC Coding Solutions works closely with individuals and entities requesting codes and/or terminology to assure that the information required for a new code is complete. This information is then verified through our Research Department.  Once all relevant information has been collected, a draft version of the proposed ABC Terminology (code description and expanded definition) is developed in accordance with the ABC Terminology lexicon and style sheet. This draft terminology is presented to the requesting party and, once approved, remitted to our subject matter experts (SMEs) for review.

SME Review of Proposed ABC Code and Terminology

Each draft terminology associated with a new code request is reviewed by three to five SMEs.  SME consensus is required for ABC code and terminology inclusion in the ABC code set.  Once consensus has been reached, the new ABC code and terminology are entered into a version-controlled database for inclusion in the next version of the ABC code set and publication in the ABC Coding Manual for Integrative Healthcare.   If  SME consensus cannot be reached, the code request is either tabled until the majority of SMEs agree upon terminology and placement, or abandoned if the code request does not appear feasible.

Request for Changes to an Existing ABC Code or Terminology

Once received, a request to change either the placement of an ABC code inside the code set or the terminology of a code is reviewed. If the change request is not feasible, it is abandoned. If the change request is feasible, the proposed terminology change is researched to determine whether it 1) is accurate and 2) clarifies the meaning of the existing ABC terminology. This research, if sufficiently complex, will consist of an SME review of the proposed terminology change.  SME majority consensus is then required for approval of a change in terminology for the existing code and terminology.

Request for Retiring (Deleting) an Existing ABC code

Once a request to retire (delete) an existing ABC code is received, ABC Coding Solutions remits the request, along with the rationale for deletion, to its SMEs for expert review.  A majority of SMEs must agree to retire an existing ABC code.

National Scope of Practice Review for ABC codes

ABC Coding Solutions’ legislative research staff works with SMEs from each healthcare profession to determine whether an ABC code is within the core training, competency and/or certification for each healthcare profession. A majority of SMEs must agree on which ABC codes are part of the core competency for a given profession. In some instances, ABC codes represent interventions that require continuing education or other forms of additional training. A majority of SMEs must agree to include interventions that require additional training and/or certification in the scope of practice for a practitioner type. SMEs also provide information about the actual training requirements.

State Scope of Practice Determinations

Once a majority of national SME reviewers agree on the list of ABC codes that compose a practitioner type’s core competency and the additional training and/or certification requirements, our legislative research staff review each state’s scope of practice laws.  These annual reviews of state regulations determine if state licensing laws allow or prohibit the use of a given ABC coded intervention for each profession and include searches in state statutes, administrative regulations and case law.

For more information, please contact: 

                                                                                                       

ABC Coding Solutions - Alternative Link
6121 Indian School Road NE
Suite 131
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone 505-875-0001
Toll Free 877-621-LINK
Fax: 505-875-0002