What does CPT stand for in coding?

Asked by: Troy Metz V  |  Last update: April 5, 2025
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Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes provide a uniform nomenclature for coding medical procedures and services.

What does CPT coding mean?

What is a CPT® code? The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes offer doctors and health care professionals a uniform language for coding medical services and procedures to streamline reporting, increase accuracy and efficiency.

What is the difference between CPT and ICD codes?

CPT codes are categorized based on the medical treatment and procedures administered. ICD codes are categorized based on body systems or conditions. It's common to use multiple interventions or procedures during a client session, which can make CPT codes more intricate than ICD codes.

What does CPT 4 stand for?

Level I of the HCPCS is comprised of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT-4) , a numeric coding system maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA).

What are the 6 types of CPT codes?

The six sections of the CPT codebook are, in order:
  • Evaluation and Management.
  • Anesthesiology.
  • Surgery.
  • Radiology.
  • Pathology and Laboratory.
  • Medicine.

What is a CPT Code in Medical Billing?

25 related questions found

What 3 things does the CPT code tell you?

Category I: Procedures, services, devices, and drugs (including vaccines) Category II: Performance measures and quality of care (for example, patient follow-up) Category III: Services and procedures using emerging technology (these codes are usually temporary while the service or procedure is still fairly new)

What is the CPT code 90837?

For CPT code 90837 (psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient), a physician or other qualified health care professional can report a prolonged service code if the psychotherapy service, not performed with an E/M service, is 90 minutes or longer involving direct patient contact.

What is the CPT code 99213?

CPT® code 99213: Established patient office visit, 20-29 minutes.

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

CPT codes are entirely numeric and consist of five digits. HCPCS codes are alphanumeric, which means they use both numbers and letters. You'll always see a letter followed by four numbers. These structures make it easy to differentiate between an HCPCS code vs.

What does CPT testing stand for?

Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) is used to identify subsurface conditions in the upper 100 ft of the subsurface. The USGS CPT uses a 23-ton truck to push a “cone” into the ground. The weight of the truck is partially supported by both the tip of the cone and the sleeve of the cone.

What are the two main coding systems?

Two common medical coding classification systems are in use — the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).

What are the consequences of incorrect CPT coding?

Payment delays: Incorrect codes can lead to delays in insurance companies' payments, disrupting cash flow and affecting the financial stability of healthcare providers. Increased denials: Insurance companies are quick to deny claims with coding errors.

Is CPT code a diagnosis?

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

What is the meaning of CPT?

Carriage Paid To (CPT) is an international commercial term (Incoterm) denoting that the seller incurs the risks and costs associated with delivering goods to a carrier to an agreed-upon destination.

What is the difference between CPT coding and ICD coding?

CPT® codes, or Current Procedural Terminology codes, are a standardized system used to describe the specific services and procedures provided to a patient. Unlike ICD-10 codes, which identify the diagnosis or medical condition, CPT® codes focus on documenting the what—that is, the treatment or service delivered.

Who pays for CPT codes?

It allows billing and tracking through the local and regional contractors for Medicare and other payers. There are no assigned fees to these codes, but payment is available at the discretion of the Insurance Carriers or Medicare contractors.

What does the CPT code stand for?

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 is the last step in the coding process?

The 'four-step coding process' is the method used by clinical coders to ensure accurate and consistent code assignment. As the name suggests, there are four important steps to follow to ensure you arrive at the correct diagnosis or procedure code. Step 1: Analyse, Step 2: Locate, Step 3: Assign, Step 4: Verify.

What CPT codes are deleted for 2024?

Existing codes 99441-99443 will be deleted. For additional information, refer to Appendices P and T in the CPT 2024 code book. The following E/M codes have been revised in the CPT 2024 code set.

What is a 25 modifier used for?

Modifier 25 is appended to indicate that a significant, separately identifiable E/M service was performed by the same physician or other QHP on the same date.

How many CPT codes are there?

There are currently over 10,000 CPT codes in medical terminology. However, this figure changes every year due to new codes being added and obsolete ones being removed. In 2023, the AMA conducted 393 editorial changes to the current set, with 225 new codes being added, 93 being revised, and 75 being deleted altogether.

Can I bill 90837 for 50 minutes?

Time Requirements and Service Criteria for Billing 90837

Code 90837 is for 60-minute therapy sessions, defined as 53 minutes or longer. Anything less than 53 minutes would use code 90834 (45-minute session). For 90837, the actual session time must be documented in your notes. Rounding up or down is not allowed.

What is modifier 95?

-95: Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video communications system.

What is the medical code 908?

ICD-9 code 908 for Late effects of other and unspecified injuries is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range -LATE EFFECTS OF INJURIES, POISONINGS, TOXIC EFFECTS, AND OTHER EXTERNAL CAUSES (905-909).