Which code set is typically used for outpatient hospital services?

The choice of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is pertinent for outpatient hospital services as this code set provides detailed codes that represent various medical procedures and services performed by healthcare providers. CPT codes are essential for billing purposes and help to communicate accurately what services were rendered in an outpatient setting. They cover a wide range of services, including diagnostic procedures, surgical interventions, and evaluation and management activities.

While ICD-10-CM is primarily used for diagnosing conditions and is essential in a broader context, it does not directly code the procedures performed. Similarly, the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) includes codes for items and services that are not covered by CPT, particularly in relation to Medicare and Medicaid, but it is not the primary coding system for outpatient services. Lastly, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is an organization that oversees the establishment of standards, including healthcare data formats, but it is not a code set used for direct billing or procedural coding.