Every service, procedure or task your health care provider performs is assigned a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code. Current Procedural Codes are developed, maintained and even copyrighted by the American Medical Association. These codes are used for billing purposes. These are different from ICD-9 codes. ICD-9 codes are assigned to diseases and conditions. CPT codes are for the services
. provided by your physician. These codes are usually 4 or 5 digits long.There is a code for how long the exam took. There is another code for how extensive the exam was. For example, did you come in for a check up and no new information needed to be reviewed or were you a new patient where a exam and review of past records was necessary. Depending on how much time and how extensive the exam was depends on how much a physician will be paid. Every procedure also has its own CPT code. Too make matters more confusing there are modifying codes that need to be used on certain procedures. If a procedure is done on both sides of the body , like flushing both ear canals, then a modifier would be used to receive payment for both ears.Medical billing professionals must be very accurate in their work. There must be documentation for all procedures being billed for. This means that the information in the patients chart regarding a visit much match what was billed for. They also need to make sure they are using the correct code for the procedure performed. The use of modifiers is extremely important because it could modify the payment. If a modifier is not used you could be costing your company money. There are also codes for supplies that are used such as sterile suture kits and bandages. There are many physician offices that were not aware of that and lost repayment for such supplies. More reference links: http://www.champsonline.org/assets/files/Events/DistanceDocuments/IntroCPTCoding-Handouts0505.pdf http://www.cptcodelist.com/ http://www.reference.com/browse/CPT-Code-Listings
