CPT® Codes: Why you NEED to know what they are
What are CPT Codes ? CPT stands for “Current Procedural Terminology”. Every medical, diagnostic, or surgical procedure or service has an associated 5-digit CPT code assigned to it. CPT codes are created, trademarked, and published by the American Medical Association(AMA). They have now become the standard for doctors, coders, patients, and insurance companies to label and identify medical services and procedures. Why Are CPT Codes so Important? CPT codes are of primary importance for a few different reasons: They are used by insurers to determine the amount of reimbursement a practitioner will receive under your health insurance coverage (and ultimately how much of the bill you will be left responsible for). As a continuation of #1, they are used by insurers to determine whether or not a particular procedure is deemed to be wellness or illness related – particularly important if you have a high deductible plan. They can be used by you to diagnose medical billing err...