Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
What is the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set?
Published and maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set offers healthcare professionals a uniform language for reporting medical services and procedures with improved accuracy and efficiency. CPT is composed of descriptions and identifiers for each medical, surgical, and diagnostic services available to patients.
How many CPT codes are there?
There are currently over 10,000 CPT codes in medical terminology. However, this figure changes every year due to new codes being added and obsolete ones being removed. In 2023, the AMA conducted 393 editorial changes to the current set, with 225 new codes being added, 93 being revised, and 75 being deleted altogether.
Why are CPT codes important to healthcare?
CPT codes play a critical role in the billing process. CPT codes tell payors what specific procedures the provider wants reimbursement for. CPT codes work together with ICD-10 codes to provide a complete picture of a medical process for the payor.
CPT is the most widely utilized medical code set across the U.S. The CPT code set is not only used by clinicians for reporting purposes, but also by administrative personnel for claims processing and developing guidelines for medical care review.