Online Class: CPT Coding for Beginners

This self-study medical coding course will emphasize the rules and guidelines on the CPT coding manual.

The course benefits those who work or want to work in the medical field whether it be as a medical biller, medical coder, medical collector, or medical office administrator. 

The class format is designed to help the beginner coder learn and understand the concept of coding using the CPT-4 coding manual.

The course is designed to help the experienced coder gain additional knowledge and  practice on their speed in preparation for the coding certification exam. 

Coding scenarios are provided to help the student continue his/her knowledge in the field of medical coding.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Medical Terminology 101

Anatomy and Physiology 101

Introduction to Medical Coding

Course Motivation

A system was created to describe the procedures by code numbers. Each code describes a procedure and the billing using these codes, which became the source for the current system used today, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).

The CPT Code

CPT is a set of codes that identifies a description of a procedure or service. CPT began in 1966 and was published by the American Medical Association (AMA). The five-digit code is a way of communicating to an insurance company, a patient, or a physician, what service or procedure was provided to a patient.

It is extremely important to have current coding manuals in the medical office. Annual updates are made, and not having a current version of the coding manuals can cause the practice reduction in pay if the wrong CPT code is billed for the service, if the place of service does not match the five-digit CPT code, or if the service is not medically necessary.

The CPT Index

The index in the CPT coding manual is located in the beginning or the end of the coding manual, depending on the edition that is purchased.

When searching for a CPT code, always begin in the index. The search can begin with the name of the procedure (such as endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy), the organ (liver, heart), system or body site (such as the colon), the name of the condition (Colles fracture), a synonym, and eponym, or an abbreviation (such as ECG or EKG). The Index is located in the back part of the CPT coding manual.

A specific code, or range of codes, in the CPT index guides the coder to locate the procedure or surgery that was done. For instance, if the index indicates the five-digit CPT code and a comma, the coder would review each code provided. If a hyphen is indicated between two codes, the coder would review each code, beginning with the first code, up to the last code.

Do not code directly from the index. The codes are to be assigned from the main body of the CPT manual. Remember the rule: index first, confirm second. After locating the code in the index, double-check the code and the description in the main body of the CPT manual.

Description of CPT Codes

Stand-alone codes are referred to as "parent" or "root" codes. Indented codes are found in the CPT coding manual following the parent code. Special attention must be paid when reading the description of the CPT code. The codes are divided into distinct types of services. As we move on through the lessons, you will learn about parent codes and indented codes.

CPT Guidelines

Each section of the CPT manual contains guidelines for the specific chapter. Read and become familiar with the guidelines prior to coding. Important information is listed in the guidelines and becoming familiar with the guidelines will help you make sense out of coding.