HCR/220
Describing CPT Coding Categories
Check Point
BreAwna Ingram
June 21, 2012
Describing CPT Coding Categories
The CPT codes have three categories, starting with Category I, then Category II, and Category III. There are key words associated with these three code categories which include “common,” “optional,” and “temporary,” these key words help to make the coding process easier for employees to understand. Common codes are referred to when using Category I codes, because this category of codes is the most widely used throughout any medical practice. Category II codes are optional codes and Category III codes are known as temporary codes.
CPT Coding Category Procedures
The codes used in Category I consist of five digits but no decimals, and the codes represent various procedures that are widely practiced and typically consistent with the specified medical practice. Category II codes are usually used when tracking performance measures for a medical purposes, they are optional codes that are not paid by any insurance carriers. These codes consist of an alphabetic character in the place of the fifth digit. Category III codes are known as temporary codes which are used specifically for procedures, technologies, and services rendered. Category three codes also use codes that contain alphabetic characters for the fifth digit.
Easy Explanation of CPT Coding Categories
An easier way to explain this information to any employee’s would be to introduce them to the keywords involved with each Category. Category I is common codes which is basically used for everything that is coded in the medical field. Category II would be considered optional codes which are used for tracking performance measures. Finally Category III is known as temporary codes which are commonly used for emerging procedures, technologies, and services.
A good example for category I could be 99253 Initial inpatient consultations. An example that could be