Procedure/HCPCS Codes Overview

The codes used for submitting claims for services provided to Colorado Medical Assistance Program members represent services that are approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and services that may be provided by an enrolled Colorado Medical Assistance Program provider.

The Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) is divided into two principal subsystems, referred to as level I and level II of the HCPCS. Level I of the HCPCS is comprised of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), a numeric coding system maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). The CPT is a uniform coding system consisting of descriptive terms and identifying codes that are used primarily to identify medical services and procedures furnished by physicians and other health care professionals. Level II of the HCPCS is a standardized coding system that is used primarily to identify products, supplies, and services not included in the CPT codes, such as ambulance services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used outside a physician's office. Level II codes are also referred to as alpha-numeric codes because they consist of a single alphabetical letter followed by 4 numeric digits, while CPT codes are identified using 5 numeric digits.

HIPAA requires providers to comply with the coding guidelines of the AMA CPT Procedure Codes and the International Classification of Disease, Clinical Modification Diagnosis Codes. If there is no time designated in the official descriptor, the code represents one unit or session. Providers should regularly consult monthly bulletins in the Provider Services Bulletins section. To receive electronic provider bulletin notifications, an email address can be entered into the Web Portal in the (MMIS) Provider Data Maintenance area or by filling out a publication preference form. Bulletins include updates on approved procedure codes as well as the maximum allowable units billed per procedure.  

Late Bill Override Date

For electronic claims, a delay reason code must be selected and a date must be noted in the “Claim Notes/LBOD” field. 

Valid Delay Reason Codes

 1 Proof of Eligibility Unknown or Unavailable 

 3 Authorization Delays 

 7 Third Party Processing Delay 

 8 Delay in Eligibility Determination

 9 Original Claim Rejected or Denied Due to a Reason Unrelated to the Billing Limitation Rules 

11 Other