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HCPCS Overview
HCPCS (pronounced hick-picks) is an acronym for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. It was developed in 1983 by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS, then known as HCFA) for the purpose of standardizing the coding systems used to process Medicare claims.

There are three components to the overall structure of the HCPCS system:

1. HCPCS National Level I, the major portion of the system, consists of the CPT codes. These codes primarily define the physician procedures and services performed during the work-up and treatment of patients.

2. HCPCS National Level II, or plain HCPCS codes. These codes primarily describe supplies and materials such as durable medical equipment, injections, and IV medications, along with a handful of patient treatments not covered in the CPT codes.

3. HCPCS Level III Local codes. These codes are slated for removal from use as part of HIPAA rulings.

HCPCS codes are 5 digits in length, and begin with an alpha character. Level II codes begin with an alpha character from A through V. Level III codes range from W to Z.

Flash Code includes the HCPCS level III (Medi-Cal) codes and their associated fees for the state of California.