Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)

Each year in the U.S., health care insurers process over 5 billion claims for payment. Standardized coding systems are essential so Medicare and other health insurance programs can process claims in an orderly and consistent manner. HCPCS is divided into 2 main subsystems — Level I and Level II.

HCPCS Level I: Comprised of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®), a numeric coding system maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). 

• CPT® is a uniform coding system consisting of descriptive terms and identifying codes used primarily to identify medical services and procedures furnished by physicians and other health care professionals for which they bill public or private health insurance programs.
• The AMA annually republishes and updates CPT® codes.
• CPT® codes consist of 5 numeric digits.
• Contact the AMA for issues related to the application of HCPCS Level I CPT® codes for physicians.

HCPCS Level II: A standardized coding system that is used primarily to identify products, supplies, and services not included in the CPT® codes, such as ambulance services or durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used outside a physician's office.

• Medicare and other insurers cover a variety of services, supplies, and equipment that aren't identified by CPT® codes. The HCPCS Level II codes were established so providers and suppliers can submit claims for these items.
• HCPCS Level II codes (also known as alpha-numeric codes) consist of a single alphabetical letter followed by 4 numeric digits.
• CMS maintains HCPCS Level II codes, including decisions about additions, revisions, and deletions to the codes.
  • The HCPCS Level II coding system began in the 1980s.
  • In 2003, under 42 CFR 414.40(a), the HHS Secretary delegated authority to CMS to establish and maintain uniform national definitions of services, codes to represent services, and payment modifiers to the codes.
• For questions about HCPCS Level II, contact hcpcs@cms.hhs.gov.

Medicare Electronic Application Request Information System (MEARIS™)

Visit MEARIS™ to submit HCPCS Level II coding application.

• Anyone may submit a request to modify the HCPCS Level II national code set.
• Use the MEARIS™ electronic application to submit HCPCS Level II:
  • Quarterly drug and biological product applications.
  • Biannual non-drug and non-biological items and services applications.
• Application due dates:
  • Drug and biological products: The first business day of each quarter (January, April, July, and October)
  • Non-drug and non-biological items and services: The first business day of January and July

What's New

May 2, 2025

B1 2025 HCPCS LEVEL II PUBLIC MEETING 

CMS is announcing the First Biannual (B1) 2025 hybrid HCPCS Public Meeting for June 2 2025, with an overflow date of Tuesday, June 3, 2025 to be held virtually, if necessary, to discuss CMS’ preliminary coding, Medicare benefit category, and Medicare payment determinations. 

The HCPCS Level II public meeting will be held: 

• In-person: CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244
• Virtual: Zoom: https://cms.zoomgov.com/j/1616543000?pwd=EjbcsEeWVs2neTC119CaTf5aUR2J7k.1 

Passcode: 390172       Webinar ID: 161 654 3000     Dial: 833-568-8864 US Toll Free

The list of topics for discussion, as well as the Guidelines for Participation in HCPCS Public Meetings for B1 2025, are available at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings.

The guidelines contain important and useful information, such as instructions for registering to attend the B1 2025 HCPCS Public Meeting, deadlines for registration and materials submission, and tips for helping CMS conduct a productive meeting. The public meeting agenda order will become available on the CMS website mentioned above sometime shortly after the speaker registration deadline.

All speakers (primary or a 5-minute speaker), in-person attendees, and individuals who require special accommodations must register and provide the requested information to HCPCS@cms.hhs.gov by Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., eastern time (ET). 

Written comments will only be accepted when emailed to HCPCS@cms.hhs.gov before 5 p.m. ET, on June 4, 2025.

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