What are the words that follow a code number in the CPT manual referred to as?

The words that follow a code number in the CPT manual are referred to as the procedure/service descriptor. This descriptor provides a detailed explanation of the specific procedure or service that the code represents, allowing healthcare professionals to understand precisely what the code encompasses. This is crucial for accurate billing and documentation, as it clarifies the nature of the service provided to patients.

A procedure/service descriptor helps maintain consistency and uniformity in coding, ensuring that all healthcare providers and payers interpret the services in the same manner. This is especially important for accurate reimbursement and understanding the scope of the service that was performed.

Other options like format descriptor, code explanation, or operational descriptor do not accurately reflect the established terminology used in the CPT manual. While these terms might suggest some aspects of coding, they do not specifically identify the function of the words that accompany a code number in the CPT coding system, which is to describe the procedure or service.