Preview

Describing Cpt Modifiers

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
333 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Describing Cpt Modifiers
University of Phoenix

HCR/220
Describing CPT Coding Categories
Check Point
BreAwna Ingram
June 21, 2012

Describing CPT Coding Categories
The CPT codes have three categories, starting with Category I, then Category II, and Category III. There are key words associated with these three code categories which include “common,” “optional,” and “temporary,” these key words help to make the coding process easier for employees to understand. Common codes are referred to when using Category I codes, because this category of codes is the most widely used throughout any medical practice. Category II codes are optional codes and Category III codes are known as temporary codes.
CPT Coding Category Procedures
The codes used in Category I consist of five digits but no decimals, and the codes represent various procedures that are widely practiced and typically consistent with the specified medical practice. Category II codes are usually used when tracking performance measures for a medical purposes, they are optional codes that are not paid by any insurance carriers. These codes consist of an alphabetic character in the place of the fifth digit. Category III codes are known as temporary codes which are used specifically for procedures, technologies, and services rendered. Category three codes also use codes that contain alphabetic characters for the fifth digit.
Easy Explanation of CPT Coding Categories
An easier way to explain this information to any employee’s would be to introduce them to the keywords involved with each Category. Category I is common codes which is basically used for everything that is coded in the medical field. Category II would be considered optional codes which are used for tracking performance measures. Finally Category III is known as temporary codes which are commonly used for emerging procedures, technologies, and services.
A good example for category I could be 99253 Initial inpatient consultations. An example that could be

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    11. Locate the table of contents in the surgery section of the CPT manual for the musculoskeletal system; you would refer to which code range to code for an Osteotomy? 21120- 21209…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I chose this HCPCS Level II modifier code because the cortisone 10 mg injection procedure was performed on the right side of the body.…

    • 279 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Rationale: The coder should refer to the CPT manual Index and reference the main term "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" and only one code is given. The coder should verify the code in the CPT tabular list to confirm the correct code of 92950.…

    • 1386 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    NT 1310 Week 2 Notes

    • 312 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 7 will be defined in standards later in the course…

    • 312 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    4. These types of codes are used to identify “Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Service”: Supplemental (V01-V91)…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    CPT code: 36217, selective catheter placement, arterial system; initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch, within a vascular family; and,…

    • 1354 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Week 2 Cpt

    • 290 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Category I Codes: procedures/services identified by five-digit CPT code and descriptor nomenclature; this type of code is traditionally associated with CPT and organized within six sections…

    • 290 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are three different code categories, Category I, II, and III. The first category I codes are the most numerous and each are five digits long all numeric. Each of them has a description of the procedure the code is for. For example 99204 is Officer or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of a new patient. They are grouped into sections, but they can be used by any physician. For instance a regular physician may use a surgical code even though he is not a surgeon. Each of these codes are for procedures that are known working procedures. So chemotherapy is a known working procedure it would fall under category I, but a procedure that they are still testing for effectiveness would not be in this category. Category II codes are used to track performance measures for medical goes. For instance, when a patient comes in to lose weight or to quit smoking, then the category II code comes into use. Each of these codes has an alphabetic character as the last digit. Category III codes are used for temporary technology, services, and procedures, but if they are proven effective then it can turn into a permanent code. So these codes are only used for experimental procedures. When a new procedure is introduced, but not yet proven effective then it is assigned a temporary code. If the procedure is proven affective then it can switch and become a permanent code, and these also have an alphabetic character for the last digit. So an easy way to remember these categories would be:…

    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Most of the codes we see in the United States today are version 9, called ICD-9-CM codes. With few exceptions, the paperwork we receive when we leave a doctor’s office will contain both CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology) to describe the service that was rendered for billing purposes, and ICD-9-CM codes to describe why that service was provided. Further, most death certificates filed since, 1977 will have an ICD-9 code on them.…

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In order to understand the differences in Level 1 CPT codes and Level II HCPCS National codes you must understand the history and purpose of each one. CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. You must have a solid grasp on medical terminology to better help when coding a procedure. CPT codes are in fact HCPCS codes Level 1 codes, type of services, diagnosis codes, and describe medical procedures provided. CPT Level 1 codes are HCPCS codes but HCPCS codes have more than one level. The CPT codes are administered by the American Medical Association (AMA).…

    • 200 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is divided into two distinct subgroups: Level I and Level II HCPCs. Level I is made up of the Current Procedural Terminology Category (CPT)codes. CPT codes are used to bill public or private insurances programs for medical services and procedures.…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    and middle digit filing system- Terminal digit uses 6 numbers for three section example 12-04-00, terminal is 12, secondary digits is 04, primary digits is 00. Straight numbering is medical records are filed in straight chronological order.…

    • 550 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    7. What are two categories found under the Medical Care heading? Two of the categories found under the medical care heading are Dental Care and Medicine…

    • 292 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Coding Tips

    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages

    •In the outpatient setting, code all documented conditions that coexist at the time of the encounter AND require or affect patient care treatment or management. Do NOT code conditions that were previously treated and no longer exist. However, history codes (V10-V19) may be used as additional codes if the historical condition or family history has an impact on current care or influences treatment. Codes for other diagnoses (e.g., chronic conditions the patient receives treatment for, including medication management) and care should be sequenced as additional diagnoses.…

    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    b. Each of these six detailed health services has their own line items, such as: i. Patient days…

    • 3581 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics