Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT codes, are a library of five-digit alphanumeric codes, which physicians and medical practitioners use to convey information to one another about the services rendered on a patient. This coding system was first developed by the American Medical Association, and is currently also a trademark of the AMA. There are three general categories of codes in use in the
. CPT 2011 system: category I, II and III. Category III codes deal with emergent technology while category II codes focus on medical provider performance. Category I codes are diverse and fall into a number of different categories: evaluation, management, anesthesia, surgery, radiology, pathology, laboratory and medicine. Within these divisions of category I codes are a large number of specialized sub-divisions. The CPT code system is updated annually, each October, and the system currently in use is known as "CPT 2011". Because CPT is trademark of the American Medical Association, and publications of works containing these codes are an AMA copyright, it is impossible to obtain a copy of CPT codes that are accurate and current without paying a fee. The CPT code system is a vital source of revenue for the AMA and any books or websites that list current codes do so by paying a licensing fee to the AMA and then charging a fee for access to their own database: either through a one-time charge or a reoccurring subscription fee. For members of the general public, the American Medical Association website does have a search form built in to the site for finding the service pertaining to an individual code. There are a large number of coding systems used in the medical field and CPT is similar to other methods, such as ICD-10 or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System identifiers, but each is a distinct system established to address a particular medical industry need. More Reference Links: https://catalog.ama-assn.org/Catalog/cpt/cpt_search.jsp http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/cpt.page
