Is CPT only for outpatient?

Asked by: Blanche Wilderman  |  Last update: September 16, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (13 votes)

CPT codes are used throughout the U.S. for coding in outpatient settings and for professional services provided in inpatient settings.

Is CPT inpatient or outpatient?

For the most part, Outpatient uses Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) for procedures, while Inpatient utilizes ICD-10-PCS (AMA, 2022). In the CPT code set, there are three levels. Level I covers medical services and procedures performed by physicians; it employs a numeric system.

Are CPT codes required on inpatient claims?

For an inpatient facility claim, the ICD-10-PCS codes are used to show what services provided. You wouldn't typically see a CPT or HCPC associated with most revenue codes on an inpatient facility claim. Outpatient facility claims will have a CPT listed with Revenue Code 360 to show what surgery was performed.

Are CPT codes used in hospitals?

In 1983, CMS mandated that CPT codes be used to report services for Part B of the Medicare Program and in 1986 required state Medicaid programs to also use the CPT codes. As part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act in 1987, CMS mandated use of CPT for reporting outpatient hospital surgical procedures.

Is CPT 99223 inpatient or outpatient?

F states, “Advise physicians to use the initial hospital care codes (codes 99221–99223) to report the first hospital inpatient encounter with the patient when he or she is the admitting physician.”

CPT® E/M Office Visit changes: How did we get here and what changes can you expect?

16 related questions found

Is CPT 99232 inpatient or outpatient?

CPT® 99232, Under Subsequent Hospital Inpatient or Observation Care. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 99232 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Subsequent Hospital Inpatient or Observation Care.

What is the CPT code for inpatient consult?

Consultations provided to hospital inpatients and residents of nursing facilities are reported using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 99251-99255.

What is the CPT code for inpatient admission?

  • 99221-99223. Initial Hospital Inpatient or Observation Care.
  • 99231-99233. Subsequent Hospital Inpatient or Observation Care.
  • 99234-99236. Hospital Inpatient or Observation Care Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services)
  • 99238-99239. Hospital Inpatient or Observation Discharge Services.

What are the three categories of CPT codes?

Types of CPT
  • Category I: These codes have descriptors that correspond to a procedure or service. ...
  • Category II: These alphanumeric tracking codes are supplemental codes used for performance measurement. ...
  • Category III: These are temporary alphanumeric codes for new and developing technology, procedures and services.

What is a CPT code used for?

CPT Codes or current procedural terminology codes are used to identify procedures or services performed and are maintained by the AMA. 3. HCPCS codes or the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is used to identify equipment, medication and out-patient services not include in CPT.

What is the difference between CPT and HCPCS?

CPT codes are divided into three categories: Category I, II, and III. HCPCS codes are divided into primary levels: Level I (CPT-4) and Level II. CPT codes are owned and maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). HCPCS codes are owned and maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Is CPC inpatient or outpatient?

The AAPC CPC credential is considered the industry standard for outpatient coding. While the AHIMA CCS credential is considered the industry standard for experienced inpatient coders, the AHIMA CCA credential is for the only entry-level coding credential that encompasses both inpatient & outpatient coding.

What is the difference between E&M codes and CPT codes?

E&M coding involves use of CPT codes ranging from 99202 to 99499. These represent services by a physician (or other health care professional) in which the provider is either evaluating or managing a patient's health.

How do you know if you are inpatient or outpatient?

What's the main difference between inpatient and outpatient care? Generally speaking, inpatient care requires you to stay in a hospital and outpatient care does not.

How to get CPT code?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offer a free search (CPT code lookup) for RVU for every CPT code. Users can also request a CPT/RVU Data File license from the AMA to easily import codes and descriptions into existing claims and medical billing systems.

What are the coding guidelines for inpatient coding?

Signs and symptoms should NOT be coded in inpatient settings. However, additional signs and symptoms may be coded if a definitive diagnosis is not included. For example, inpatient coding requires the coding of suspected conditions and abnormal signs and symptoms, if the provider has not made a diagnosis.

Who mandates CPT codes?

In 2000, the CPT code set was designated by the Department of Health and Human Services as the national coding standard for physician and other health care professional services and procedures under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

What does CPT classify?

CPT® refers to a set of medical codes used by physicians, allied health professionals, nonphysician practitioners, hospitals, outpatient facilities, and laboratories to describe the procedures and services they perform.

How do you know if a CPT code is inpatient or outpatient?

Inpatient medical coding is reported using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes, which results in payments based on Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs). Outpatient medical coding requires ICD-10-CM and CPT®/HCPCS Level II codes to report health services and supplies.

Is CPT used for inpatient?

CPT codes are used throughout the U.S. for coding in outpatient settings and for professional services provided in inpatient settings.

Is CPT code 99223 inpatient or outpatient?

The 99223 CPT code is intended for patients who require a medically appropriate history and/or examination, as well as a high level of medical decision-making. It is specifically used for inpatient or observation care and requires a minimum of 75 minutes of total time on the date of the encounter.

What is the CPT code for inpatient stay?

Hospital Inpatient or Observation Care (CPT Codes 99218-99236).

What is a CPT code?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes provide a uniform nomenclature for coding medical procedures and services. Medical CPT codes are critical to streamlining reporting and increasing accuracy and efficiency, as well as for administrative purposes such as claims processing and developing guid.

What CPT codes are changing for 2024?

Several Category III codes will be converted to Category I codes in the Current Procedural Termi- nology (CPT®) 2024 code set, these include: dorsal sacroiliac (SI) arthrodesis; coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) with computerized tomography (CT); coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) interventions; ...