How many characters are in CPT codes?

CPT codes, or Current Procedural Terminology codes, are standardized codes used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and procedures. The correct answer being five highlights the structure of these codes.

CPT codes are primarily five characters long and are made up of numeric digits or alphanumeric characters. This system facilitates consistent communication among medical professionals and insurers about the services provided, ensuring clarity in billing processes and healthcare documentation. Understanding that CPT codes consist of five characters is essential for accurately utilizing them in medical coding and billing practices.

Considering the other options, four characters would be too few to encompass the complexity of medical procedures; six and seven characters exceed the established format for traditional CPT codes, though there are related coding systems that may utilize longer codes.