CPT Codes
CPT Codes (Current Procedural Terminology Codes) are standardized numbers used in healthcare billing to describe medical, surgical, and therapeutic services. Think of them like universal price tags that healthcare providers use to bill insurance companies for their work. For example, each type of therapy session or medical procedure has its own specific code. When you see this term on a resume, it usually means the person has experience with healthcare billing and documentation. This is particularly important in therapy settings where accurate billing and insurance claims are essential parts of the job.
Examples in Resumes
Managed patient billing using CPT Codes for physical therapy sessions
Accurately documented and submitted Current Procedural Terminology claims for insurance reimbursement
Trained new staff members on proper CPT code usage and documentation
Typical job title: "Medical Billers and Coders"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Medical Billers and Coders
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a complex billing dispute involving multiple CPT codes?
Expected Answer: A senior biller should discuss their process for reviewing documentation, verifying codes, communicating with insurance companies, and resolving disputes while maintaining compliance with regulations.
Q: How do you stay current with CPT code changes and updates?
Expected Answer: Should mention professional memberships, continuing education, regular training sessions, and experience implementing annual code updates across an organization.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What steps do you take to ensure CPT code accuracy?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for reviewing patient documentation, matching services to appropriate codes, and checking for common coding errors before submission.
Q: How do you handle insurance claim denials?
Expected Answer: Should describe their approach to analyzing denial reasons, correcting coding errors, gathering additional documentation, and resubmitting claims properly.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a CPT code and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that CPT codes are standardized numbers for medical procedures used for billing, and why accurate coding is crucial for insurance reimbursement.
Q: How do you find the correct CPT code for a service?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of using coding manuals, software tools, and checking documentation to select the appropriate code for a given service.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of CPT code structure
- Simple billing submissions
- Use of billing software
- Basic insurance verification
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex billing scenarios
- Insurance claim appeals
- Audit preparation
- Training junior staff
Senior (5+ years)
- Department management
- Compliance oversight
- Process improvement
- Complex dispute resolution
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unfamiliarity with basic billing software
- No knowledge of HIPAA compliance
- Limited understanding of insurance requirements
- Poor attention to detail in documentation
- No experience with electronic health records (EHR)
