What does the acronym CPT stand for?

The acronym CPT stands for "Current Procedural Terminology." This system, developed and maintained by the American Medical Association, provides a standardized language for describing medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. The primary purpose of CPT is to facilitate accurate reporting and billing for healthcare services by assigning unique codes to each procedure and service. This allows for efficient communication among healthcare providers, insurers, and regulatory agencies.

In the context of physical therapy and other healthcare practices, an understanding of CPT codes is crucial because they are used to document the specific services rendered to patients. This assists in the reimbursement process and helps maintain appropriate clinical records. Knowing the correct definition of CPT is essential for any healthcare professional involved in coding, billing, or clinical documentation.