Inside the CPT Book

Today we will take a peek inside the CPT book.  It is the book that contains all of the outpatient procedure codes that are used for both professional (Physician reimbursement) and technical (facility reimbursement) billing.

The book is divided into two major categories, tabular and alphabetical.  The tabular section has all of the procedure codes in numeric order.  So, if you have the procedure number and need to look up the description, this section would be used.  See the example below:

In addition to being numeric, the tabular section is also divided by Specialty Type, (for example, Medicine, or Lab).  Notice the tab on the right hand side of the page above with the word Radiology.  This particular page contains radiological services.

The other section, probably the more utilized of the two is the alphabetical index.  It is an alphabetical listing of all procedures, with the corresponding codes.  So, here you can look up the name of the procedure, or the area of the body where it is to be performed, and it will give you the corresponding procedure number.  It is important to note that you should NEVER code from the alphabetical index, but rather use this as a tool to guide you to the appropriate section in the tabular portion of the book.  The tabular portion contains a greater degree of descrpition, as well as rules for when you should apply certain codes, and when you should not.

In my next post, I will give you a complete listing of all of the numerical sections in the CPT book.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

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