In a physician’s office, which coding system is used to convert procedures and services into numeric form?

The correct answer is CPT, which stands for Current Procedural Terminology. CPT codes are specifically designed for documenting medical procedures and services, providing a standardized way to convert these procedures into numeric codes for billing and insurance purposes. These codes are used primarily by healthcare providers to communicate with insurance companies about the services provided during patient encounters.

CPT codes cover a wide range of services, including office visits, surgical procedures, and diagnostic tests. They facilitate uniformity in the reporting and tracking of medical services across various healthcare settings, ensuring that providers are compensated appropriately for their work.

Other coding systems mentioned, such as ICD-10, serve different purposes. ICD-10 codes are primarily used to classify and code diagnoses and diseases, while HCPCS Level 1 codes (which are often categorized under CPT) refer to services and procedures not included in the CPT system, such as certain supplies and non-physician services. The NDC code system is focused on identifying and tracking medications rather than procedures or services rendered in a physician’s office.