Which statement about CPT codes is incorrect?

• A. They describe services and procedures for reimbursement
• B. They identify diagnoses
• C. They are used for procedures and diagnostic studies
• D. They are used in billing for encounters

Answer: (B)

CPT codes describe the procedures and services performed so they can be reimbursed and billed for encounters. Diagnoses, on the other hand, are coded with ICD-10-CM codes, not CPT. So saying CPT codes identify diagnoses is the incorrect statement. CPT codes cover procedures and diagnostic studies and are used in billing for encounters, while ICD-10-CM codes explain the reason for the visit or the patient’s condition. For example, a CPT code might represent a colonoscopy performed, while the ICD-10-CM code would indicate the diagnosis prompting that procedure, such as abdominal pain or a screening finding.