Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II codes are used to give a detailed explaination of a specific type of medical procedure completed for an insurance carrier and state offices who collect information on medical procedures.  While there are thousands of codes that can be used, you must be very careful to not inadvertantely use an incorrect code or make sure to have the right modifier with the code.  A modifier helps to explain the procedure in greater detail, i.e.; right side versus the left side or multiple procedures at one time.  CPT/HCPCS codes in combination with a diagnosis code (to be covered in another blog entry), creates the medical necessity that insurance companies thrive on and use to determine whether payment should be made or not.  The codes are each five digit, alpha and numeric, in length.  Modifiers are two digits, also alpha and numeric, in length.  These codes are updated annually by either the American Medical Association (AMA) or Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  Insurance companies also determine which procedures are covered according to these codes, by an individual's insurance plan.  As long as a medical provider is trained and certified to administer the procedure they have completed, then they are allowed to use that code.  Certification may include being registered with the appropiate legal authority within a provider's city/county and state.  This does include alternative treatment providers.  CPT/HCPCS code books can be purchased from a variety of vendors online, or from the AMA and CMS.