Medium-length descriptors coming with CPT 2000
Taking advantage of increased computer capacity
The American Medical Association (AMA) says it will add new medium-length clinical descriptors to the year 2000 version of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system.
The clinical descriptors for each CPT code precisely define the services provided to the patient. Because the length of long descriptors may exceed the capacity of some data and reporting systems, the AMA also maintains a set of 28-character short descriptors. Although more compatible with the limitations of some systems, the short descriptors are not always able to convey the desired level of clinical information.
To meet end-user needs, the new medium-length descriptors will take advantage of increasing computer capacity to provide more informative clinical detail in condensed descriptors. This enhancement is expected to improve the transmission of clinical information between physicians and payers by allowing more effective use of CPT in health care software, including payment systems, coding applications, and electronic medical records.
The new descriptors will be made available in various electronic media as part of the fall 1999 release of CPT 2000. To prevent disruption for existing users, the current short descriptors will be retained as an option for CPT users.
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