difference between cpt and hcpcs
HCPCS are codes generated by the federal government to describe procedures that have special significance to either the Medicaid or Medicare programs. There is some overlap between CPT codes and HCPCS. This is because level 1 HCPCS codes are, in fact, CPT codes. Level 2 HCPCS codes are unique codes that, for us, begin with a 'V' or a 'W'. There also exists a level 3 series of codes that I will address below.
The CPT codebook should be updated every 3-5 years. In a concise statement, ICD-9 is the code used to describe the condition or disease being treated, also known as the diagnosis. CPT is the code used to describe the treatment and diagnostic services provided for that diagnosis.