Current Procedural Terminology Essay
Current Procedural Terminology
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) was developed and introduced by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1966 and became its registered trademark (CPT®). It was specifically designed for accurate reporting of medical procedures and services (CPT, 2007). CPT is a coding system used for medical billing which is required by law. It aimed at standardizing terminologies to simplify medical records to help physicians and clerks in recording medical data.
The second edition of CPT, which was far more inclusive, was published in 1970. It replaced the 4-digit codes to 5-digit codes. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) merged its Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) with CPT, mandating CPT to be used in processing Medicare billing in 1983 and Medicaid billing in 1986 (Taubman, 2000). The Role of AMA in Creating the CPT
Annual publications are prepared by the AMA to highlight the changes in CPT that correspond to important updates in the medical field and clinical practice. The AMA, as the sole copyright owner, makes a royalty from each sale of CPT and is responsible in collecting fees from all users, which are then used for maintenance expenses, additional resources, and staff support salary in enhancing the CPT codes (Taubman, 2000). Sections of the CPT Manual
The 2009 CPT Manual includes codes and coding guidelines from CPT® Editorial Panel Experts, changes in code texts and guidelines, as well as updates in CPT® Assistant, clinical examples in radiology, CPT® Changes, color-coded symbols, crosswalk table, E/M decision-tree process flowchart and clinical examples, comprehensive appendixes, and summary of additions, deletions and revisions made. How do CPT codes differ from ICD-9 codes?
There may be some people wondering how CPT codes differ from ICD-9 codes. The CPT is used to describe medical procedures and not diseases. It is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) that is used to describe diagnoses and classify the causes of death, morbidity records of inpatients and outpatients of medical clinics and hospitals (Influenza, 2009). References “CPT: Current Procedural Terminology”, (25 Jan. 2007). Open Clinical.
Retrieved 09 July 2009 from http://www. openclinical. org/medTermCPT. html “Influenza ICD-9 Codes and CPT Codes”, (6 May 2009). Texas Department of Health Services. Retrieved 09 July 2009 from http://www. dshs. state. tx. us/swineflu/flu-ICD-9-CPT-Codes-v2-5-6. shtm Taubman, S. B. “The evolution of CPT – current procedural terminology”. Medical Laboratory Observer. FindArticles. com. Retrieved 09 July 2009 from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m3230/is_10_32/ai_66498630/.