Which code set is used to identify a medical procedure?

Which code set is used to identify a medical procedure?

• A. CPT
• B. ICD-9
• C. DSM-5
• D. HCPCS

Answer: (A)

In medical coding, procedures and services are identified by CPT codes. These five-digit codes, maintained by the American Medical Association, describe what was done during a patient encounter—surgical procedures, tests, evaluations, and other physician services. CPT is the standard set used for billing and documenting procedures across many settings, with modifiers to add details like complexity or laterality. Diagnoses, on the other hand, are coded with ICD codes, which explain why the patient sought care. DSM-5 is a manual for classifying mental disorders, not a coding system for procedures. HCPCS provides supplementary codes for items and services not covered by CPT (like certain equipment or ambulance services), but when it comes to identifying a medical procedure itself, CPT is the primary code set.

In medical coding, procedures and services are identified by CPT codes. These five-digit codes, maintained by the American Medical Association, describe what was done during a patient encounter—surgical procedures, tests, evaluations, and other physician services. CPT is the standard set used for billing and documenting procedures across many settings, with modifiers to add details like complexity or laterality.

Diagnoses, on the other hand, are coded with ICD codes, which explain why the patient sought care. DSM-5 is a manual for classifying mental disorders, not a coding system for procedures. HCPCS provides supplementary codes for items and services not covered by CPT (like certain equipment or ambulance services), but when it comes to identifying a medical procedure itself, CPT is the primary code set.