CPT/HCPCS Coding Changes

CPT is the acronym for Current Procedural Terminology while HCPCS stands for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. While the former is a uniform coding system comprising descriptive terms and identifying codes that are used to identify medical services and procedures provided by physicians and other healthcare professionals, the latter is a standardized coding system that is mainly used to identify products, supplies and services not found in the CPT. HCPCS lookup is normally referred to Level II HCPCS codes.

At the start of every calendar year, CPT and HCPCS code sets and manuals are updated; the changes are inclusive of coding additions, deletions and replacements.

The HIPAA transaction and code set rule calls for usage of the code set that is valid at the time that the service is provided. There’s no grace period as such during which discontinued codes may be used.

In order to boost timely payment of claims, all CPT and HCPCS codes submitted for reimbursement must be current and active as on the date on which the service is provided.

For the most current CPT HCPCS codes, there are one-stop medical coding websites where you can head to. Such one-stop shop websites teach coders to make use of CPT HCPCS codes using real world medical examples.

Such comprehensive resources also help just-in coders succeed by providing basic instruction on the structure, rules, and guidelines relating to CPT/ HCPCS coding. Here, you can even find the most common coding issues you are likely to encounter as a beginner in this profession.

So if you are looking for a complete explanation of symbols and formatting used in CPT/HCPCS coding, these one stop shops are just right for you.