The goal of the CPT code project would be to create a version of
procedure codes for use in billing in the US that could be freely
distributed.
While it would be nice to fit this into an overarching ontology, this
would introduce overhead which is not warranted. The CPT codes
themselves are a
The codes would be the same as those that they currently accept (i.e.
the AMA CPT codes) so there is no issue with the codes.
The problem with the AMA is that they copyright the descriptions and
prevent distribution of their copyrighted descriptions.
The project would be to create new
So could one use the CPT number for reimbursement without some
certification that they are the same as the real CPT codes?
Dave
mspohr wrote:
The codes would be the same as those that they currently accept (i.e.
the AMA CPT codes) so there is no issue with the codes.
The problem with the AMA
I dont think so. From what I understood the codes themselves are copyright.
Further, thier use is mandated by the government for use in medical billing.
This issue has already been the subject of litigation.
http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f2000/2076.htm
-FT
On 12/11/06, mspohr [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I agree. I don't think you would have to declare them something
other than CPT codes even if they had the same number. With
a different description, they couldn't be certified as the same and
wouldn't come under the legal agreement of CMS (HCFA).
I think it would be nice to have alternative to
I think the issue is bigger than that. The AMA has a legal agreement
with CMS/HCFA for reimbursement of CPT codes. If the code isn't an
official CPT code, then reimbursement would be denied by CMS,
even if you weren't sued by the AMA. If the descriptions didn't
match the AMA's then they would
I find this discussion of CPT codes reimbursement interesting. Let me
paraphrase:
To petition your Government (for reimbursement), you need to submit
your request in Elvish. Organization XYZ owns the Elvish language.
Ergo, to communicate with your Government, you need to buy a license
from
Since you only submit the number to CMS and not the description, you
would be submitting an official number. The only issue would be if
you submitted the wrong number based on a description that was not
correct.
For instance, many people publish instructions and clarifications
for the use of CPT
On Mon, Dec 11, 2006 at 02:16:32PM -0700, David Forslund wrote:
I think the issue is bigger than that. The AMA has a legal agreement
with CMS/HCFA for reimbursement of CPT codes. If the code isn't an
official CPT code, then reimbursement would be denied by CMS,
even if you weren't sued by
