Definition - What does Procedure Code mean?
A procedure code, within the context of wellness, is a numeric or alphanumeric identifier used for the classification of medical services. These codes are used for billing and tracking purposes. A single operation or treatment may include several procedure codes.
SureHire explains Procedure Code
Procedure codes are used along with diagnostic, and other codes, to track health care as it is provided. Different countries and organizations may use different procedure codes. One of the most common code systems used in the United States is the Current Procedural Terminology system. This code is used by Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) used by Medicare and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The HCPCS includes three levels of codes, the first of which is based on the CPT codes. HCPCS’s other levels include codes to represent billable products and supplies not included in the CPT and state-based codes.
Procedure codes are updated annually and published in codebooks. These codebooks provide details about each code and may include a definition of each procedure.
By using standardized codes, health care providers can increase accuracy and quality of record keeping, along with reducing errors in communication about a patient's care when used correctly.
