Which CPT code category is used for surgical procedures?

The correct answer is that Category I CPT codes are used for surgical procedures. Category I codes encompass the most commonly used codes for various types of medical services and procedures, including evaluation and management, surgical interventions, radiology, pathology, and laboratory services. These codes are five-digit numeric codes that reflect services performed by healthcare providers, including both major surgical procedures, such as appendectomies, and minor procedures, like skin biopsies.

Category II codes are supplemental tracking codes that can be used to facilitate performance measurement. They do not represent a specific procedure but rather are used to enhance the data collected for quality improvement purposes.

Category III codes are temporary codes that are assigned to emerging technologies, services, and procedures that are not yet widely performed or established. These codes are used to report experimental or investigational services, often before they become a permanent part of the Category I coding system.

Finally, Category IV does not exist in the CPT coding system, which only includes Categories I, II, and III. Thus, recognizing the significance of Category I codes in billing and coding for surgical procedures helps in understanding the classification structure and proper documentation required for healthcare services.