What is current procedural terminology (CPT)?
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is a coding system developed by the American Medical Association to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures. These five-digit codes are used by healthcare providers to document services, submit insurance claims, and ensure proper reimbursement. CPT codes are essential for accurate billing, efficient care delivery, and maintaining standardized healthcare records.
CPT codes are used to:
- Report medical procedures to payers (insurance companies, Medicare/Medicaid)
- Standardize documentation across healthcare systems
- Support reimbursement and claims processing
- Enable data analysis for research and care quality monitoring
Types of CPT codes:
- Category I: Most commonly used codes for procedures and services (e.g., office visits, surgeries)
- Category II: Optional codes for performance measurement and quality tracking
- Category III: Temporary codes for emerging technologies and procedures
