When to use HCPCS code?
Asked by: Prof. Tevin Okuneva III | Last update: December 24, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (45 votes)
When should HCPCS codes be used?
HCPCS allows physicians to document the services provided. These codes are added to insurance claims and submitted to insurance companies for payment. Accurate and appropriate coding for the services you provide in your practice is vital, not only for payment purposes, but also for documentation purposes.
When and how to differentiate whether to use CPT or HCPCS codes?
Key Differences between HCPCS and CPT
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.
How to know when to use HCPCS modifiers?
Medical coders and healthcare providers use these modifiers to explain what happened during a particular encounter. For instance, a coder may use an HCPCS modifier to indicate that: Service didn't happen exactly as described by an HCPCS Level I or Level II code descriptor.
What is HCPCS used for?
The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is a collection of standardized codes used in medical billing to represent various medical procedures, services, products and supplies in claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and many third-party payers. HCPCS is divided into Level I and Level II.
When Do You Use a CPT Code or HCPCS Level II Code?
Who accepts HCPCS codes?
National HCPCS Level II codes are maintained by CMS, but all private and public health insurers may use them.
Is HCPCS only for Medicare?
Coders today use HCPCS codes to represent medical procedures to Medicare, Medicaid, and several other third-party payers. The code set is divided into three levels. Level one is identical to CPT, though technically those codes, when used to bill Medicare or Medicaid, are HCPCS codes.
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 is the difference between ICD and Hcpcs codes?
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 ...
When coding for surgical supplies, what HCPCS coding range is used?
HCPCS Code range (A4206-A8004),Medical and Surgical Supplies, contains HCPCS codes for Medical SUPPLIES, needle, injections, Sterile water, saline and/or dextrose,external insulin pump,blood glucose monitor owned by patient, Alcohol or peroxide, per pint, others.
Why would it be necessary to use HCPCS Level II codes instead of CPT 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.
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.
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.
When did HCPCS become mandatory for coding and billing?
Initially, use of the codes was voluntary, but with the implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) use of the HCPCS for transactions involving health care information became mandatory.
Do HCPCS codes always start with a letter?
While Level I codes are almost always numeric, Level II codes always begin with single alphabetical character, ranging from A to V, followed by four numbers. In coding and policy discussions the term HCPCS is typically used in reference to Level II codes, while Level I codes are referred to as CPT codes.
Are HCPCS codes only for outpatient?
The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is used to report hospital outpatient procedures and physician services. These coding systems serve an important function for physician reimbursement, hospital payments, quality review, benchmarking measurement and the collection of general medical statistical data.
Why use HCPCS codes?
The correct HCPCS code plays an essential role in patient access to new and existing technologies for the following reasons. It enables clinicians (providers), manufacturers, and payers to identify with specificity, for billing and claims processing purposes, the product that was furnished to a patient.
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).
Are CPT codes included as HCPCS codes?
In 1983, CPT was adopted as part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). This HCPCS code set is divided into two principal subsystems: (1) Level I of the HCPCS, which comprised the CPT and (2) Level II of the HCPCS (see Marcia Nusgart's article).
Where is HCPCS used?
Why is Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) important in healthcare? HCPCS is used as a billing standard for representing medical procedures to Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payors. This standard coding language makes billing more accurate and efficient for healthcare facilities and insurers.
Why do we use G code?
G-code (also RS-274) is the most widely used computer numerical control (CNC) and 3D printing programming language. It is used mainly in computer-aided manufacturing to control automated machine tools, as well as for 3D-printer slicer applications. The G stands for geometry. G-code has many variants.
Are G codes still used?
Do I still have to submit G-codes in 2023? G-codes are no longer mandatory—for PQRS or for FLR—and PTs, OTs, and SLPs no longer have to include them on Medicare claims.
What's the difference between CPT and HCPCS coding?
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.
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 CPT codes are not covered by Medicare?
Certain services are never considered for payment by Medicare. These include preventive examinations represented by CPT codes 99381-99397. Medicare only covers three immunizations (influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis B) as prophylactic physician services.