Long Description: This is the complete long description of a CPT® or HCPCS code. You can view this using the Active Code Book, which shows the official AMA long description along with some additional information. The additional information, which can be used to facilitate code searches, includes descriptors such as clinical terminology, and brand names of drugs and radio-pharmaceuticals. Many of these additional terms come directly from Medicare regulations or other publications.
Short Description: This is an abbreviated version of the long description associated with a CPT® or HCPCS code. The intent of the short description is to describe the intent of the service or supply in a short enough format to display in the facility's CDM or detail charge master. The short descriptor used in the software is not the AMA short descriptor, but rather internally-developed descriptors that are more specific in identifying intent of service. Again, you can view a charge item's short description in the Active Code Book.
The short description provided in this software has been developed by coding experts, who are experienced in interpreting CPT® code descriptors and regulations that establish rules for using such codes. These short descriptors are available to you as a second choice, in the event your hospital descriptor does not currently capture intent of service. You can replace your current narrative description with the software's short descriptor by right clicking on an individual line charge and selecting USE AMA SHORT from the drop down menu. For more information, refer to Use AMA Short Description.
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