Is HCPCS a diagnosis code?

Asked by: Jadyn Littel  |  Last update: October 28, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (75 votes)

ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes provide the reason for seeking health care; ICD-10-PCS procedure codes tell what inpatient treatment and services the patient got; CPT (HCPCS Level I) codes describe outpatient services and procedures; and providers generally use HCPCS (Level II) codes for equipment, drugs, and supplies for ...

What type of code is HCPCS?

The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is a collection of codes that represent procedures, supplies, products and services which may be provided to Medicare beneficiaries and to individuals enrolled in private health insurance programs.

What is the difference between ICD and HCPCS?

ICD: International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems. CPT: Current Procedural Terminology. HCPCS: Healthcare Common Procedures Coding System.

Is CPT code a diagnosis code?

While CPT codes are similar to ICD-10 codes, CPT codes identify services rendered, whereas ICD-10 codes represent patient diagnoses.

What is the difference between procedure code and diagnosis code?

CPT codes are numeric codes that are used to describe medical procedures and services. DX codes are used to report the diagnosis of a patient's condition.

The Difference Between HCPCS and CPT Codes

28 related questions found

What is a diagnosis code?

Diagnostic coding is the translation of written descriptions of diseases, illnesses and injuries into codes from a particular classification. In medical classification, diagnosis codes are used as part of the clinical coding process alongside intervention codes.

Why does Medicare use most of the HCPCS codes?

Medicare and other insurers cover a variety of services, supplies, and equipment that aren't identified by CPT® codes. The HCPCS Level II codes were established so providers and suppliers can submit claims for these items.

Which is true about cpt and HCPCS codes?

Final answer:

CPT codes provide information on what service or supply was provided, while HCPCS codes identify products, supplies, and services.

What is the procedure for coding a diagnosis?

A Five-Step Process
  • Step 1: Search the Alphabetical Index for a diagnostic term. ...
  • Step 2: Check the Tabular List. ...
  • Step 3: Read the code's instructions. ...
  • Step 4: If it is an injury or trauma, add a seventh character. ...
  • Step 5: If glaucoma, you may need to add a seventh character.

Is an ICD-10 code a procedure code?

ICD-10 consists of codes for diagnoses and hospital inpatient procedures.

Are HCPCS and CPT codes interchangeable?

Since the code sets are the same, payers simply recognize Category I CPT codes and Level I HCPCS codes as interchangeable. The code sets diverge with HCPCS Level II.

Are HCPCS and J codes the same?

While ICD-10 codes handle medical diagnoses and HCPCS Level I codes manage specific medical procedures, J-codes serve a unique purpose. J-codes, part of HCPCS Level II, are alpha-numeric codes designed for non-oral medications.

What are the two types of ICD codes?

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a standardized system used to code causes of death (mortality) data from death certificates. The International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) is a standardized system used to code diseases and medical conditions (morbidity) data.

Is HCPCS the same as ICD 10?

ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes provide the reason for seeking health care; ICD-10-PCS procedure codes tell what inpatient treatment and services the patient got; CPT (HCPCS Level I) codes describe outpatient services and procedures; and providers generally use HCPCS (Level II) codes for equipment, drugs, and supplies for ...

What are HCPCS G codes used for?

G-codes are used to report a beneficiary's functional limitation being treated and note whether the report is on the beneficiary's current status, projected goal status, or discharge status. There are 42 functional G-codes that are comprised of 14 functional code sets with three types of codes in each set.

What are Level 3 Hcpcs codes?

HCPCS Level III codes, also called local codes, were developed by state Medicaid agencies, Medicare contractors, and private insurers for use in specific programs and geographic jurisdictions.

What is the HCPCS code?

The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is a national, uniform coding structure developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to standardize the coding systems used to process Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) claims on a national basis.

How do you identify a diagnosis code?

You can often find the ICD-10 code printed after or under the "Diagnosis" (or "Dx") heading on a medical report, bill, or provider letter. Explanation of benefits (EOB) statements from your insurer might also contain ICD codes. It can contain up to seven characters, starting with a capital letter.

Which codes should never be used as primary diagnosis codes?

As provided by ICD-10-CM guidelines, inappropriate primary diagnosis codes include but are not limited to: External Cause Codes of Morbidity (V, W, X, or Y codes [ICD-10-CM]) describes an environmental event causing an injury, not the nature of the injury, and therefore should not be used as a principal diagnosis.

What is the difference between a procedure code and a HCPCS code?

CPT codes are used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic services performed by healthcare professionals. HCPCS codes are used to report medical procedures and services to Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance programs.

Can CPT and HCPCS be billed together?

Each edit table contains edits which are pairs of HCPCS/CPT codes that in general should not be reported together. Each edit has a Column One and Column Two HCPCS/CPT code. If a provider/supplier reports the 2 codes of an edit pair, the Column Two code is denied, and the Column One code is eligible for payment.

What is the difference between HCPCS and NDC?

NDC units are different from HCPCS code units. Use the HCPCS code and service units as you have in the past. This is the basis for your reimbursement. NDC units are based on the numeric quantity administered to the patient and the unit of measurement.

Who can change a diagnosis code?

While physicians and other qualified health care professionals are responsible for ensuring the use of the correct diagnosis and CPT codes, other appropriate individuals may physically enter or change the code when authorized.

Are HCPCS codes still used?

National HCPCS Level II codes are maintained by CMS, but all private and public health insurers may use them.

Who assigns HCPCS codes?

The Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) contractor with input from the DME MACs are responsible for assigning individual DMEPOS products to HCPCS code categories for billing Medicare. Manufacturers and other entities do not have similar authority to assign their own code determinations to specific products.