Using the Semicolon (August 1999)

August 1999 pages 3-4 Back to Basics Using the Semicolon CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) was developed in order that each code could be considered a "stand-alone" description of a medical procedure. However, in an effort to conserve space, some of the procedures in CPT are not printed in their entirety, but refer back to a common portion of the procedure listed in a preceding entry. This is evident when an entry is followed by one or more indented codes. It is the placement of the semicolon that defines the common portion of the codes. The common portion of the...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This article reviews a basic CPT formatting convention used to present procedure descriptors more efficiently. It is intended for coders and others learning how to interpret indented CPT entries, identify shared descriptor text, and understand how multiple related procedure codes may be presented within a code series.

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate reading of CPT structure helps users interpret code listings correctly and recognize when related entries share a common descriptor. This supports better navigation of CPT reference materials and more reliable code lookup in routine coding work.

Article Sections

  1. Back to Basics

    Introductory educational material on a fundamental CPT formatting topic. The section focuses on how the semicolon is used to organize related procedure descriptors and indented entries.

What You Will Learn

  • How CPT uses a semicolon to organize related procedure descriptors
  • How indented code entries relate to a shared introductory phrase
  • How related procedure code series are presented in CPT reference material
  • Why code series structure matters when reading procedure listings

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding educators
  • Coding students
  • Practice managers
  • Health information professionals

Codes Discussed

Code Ranges Discussed

Modifiers Discussed


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