Add-on Codes: Know the 3 Types of Medicare Add-on Codes

Why This Topic Matters

Add-on codes are a common source of billing and compliance questions because their reporting depends on Medicare/CPT guidance and supporting primary-code relationships. Understanding the CMS tables and related CCI material helps readers locate the official references relevant to add-on code payment and reporting.

Article Sections

1. Background

   Introduces the CMS and CPT context for add-on code guidance and references the Medicare transmittal and CPT manual resources discussed in the article.

2. Tackle the Tables to Improve Coding Compliance

   Summarizes the three CMS table-based add-on code categories and describes how the article organizes Medicare guidance around them.

3. Type I

   Covers the first table category and the related CMS guidance on how primary-code lists are handled for this group.

4. Type II

   Covers the second table category and the discussion of contractor-developed primary-code lists and example pairings referenced by CMS.

5. Type III

   Covers the third table category and the CMS approach to partial primary-code listings and contractor guidance.

6. Resource

   Points readers to the CMS transmittal, the CCI manual, and related online resources mentioned in the article.