CPT

9/3/20241 min read

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CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. It’s a standardized medical codeset maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA).
These codes serve as a universal language for describing medical services and procedures. Whether you’re stitching up a cut, administering a flu shot, or conducting a COVID-19 test, there’s a CPT code for it.

Why Do We Need CPT Codes?

Reporting and Billing: Healthcare providers use CPT codes to report what they’ve done during patient visits. It’s like saying, “Hey, I did this specific thing!”
Insurance Claims: When you break your arm and get an X-ray and a cast, those services are bundled under a single CPT code for billing.
Quality Measures: CPT codes also help track performance and quality of care. They’re like little data breadcrumbs that guide healthcare decisions.

Types of CPT Codes:

Category I: These are the workhorses—used for procedures, services, devices, and drugs. Think surgery, radiology, and psychotherapy.
Category II: These focus on performance measures and quality of care. Did the patient get a follow-up? How’s their progress?
Category III: These codes are like the cool kids—they’re for emerging technology. When something’s new and shiny (like a cutting-edge procedure), it gets a Category III code.
PLA Codes: These are used for lab testing. Because even in the world of codes, labs need their own VIP section.

Frequent Flyers (Most Used CPT Codes):

99213/99214: These are the office visit codes. When you’re at the doc’s, discussing concerns or following up on previous issues, these codes come into play.
97110: Therapeutic exercises—think physical therapy.
97530: Therapeutic activities—more PT goodness.
36415: Routine venipuncture (that’s drawing blood, folks).
97140: Manual therapy—when the therapist gets hands-on.