What is a CPT Code?

Billing basics

CPT codes are how you describe the services you provide to insurance companies, and to clients on superbills.

A few key facts

What they are


Current Procedural Terminology, or (CPT) codes describe the services you render to patients.

When you need one


Billing an insurance company, or giving a client a superbill? You must describe those services with a CPT code (or, for some Medicaid patients, a special Medicaid code).

How to spot one


Mental health CPT codes typically start with 9; Medicaid codes can start with an H. All are five characters long.

Examples: 9083790791H0004

Ready to set up your own? See Creating or editing CPT codes.