What are CPT codes?
Physicians’ Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is a systematic listing and coding of all procedures and services performed by practitioners. Every service or procedure is identified by a specific five-digit code. This coding system accurately identifies all services or procedures, simplifies reporting, and is very useful for billing and reimbursement. Evaluation and Management (E&M) CPT codes (99201-99499), which include office visits, are the most used. CPT codes may have a professional component and a technical component. For instance, with radiology CPT codes, the professional component is the portion identifying the radiologist’s service (e.g. interpretation of a chest x-ray), and the technical portion is the actual x-ray. There is an approved fee for each portion (professional and technical) of the service, and if the two parts are combined into one fee, it is called a global fee. All claims for services provided must include a CPT code. The CPT manuals are available for purchas
