What punctuation mark indicates a range of codes is available in the index of the CPT manual?

In the index of the CPT manual, a hyphen is used to indicate a range of codes. This punctuation mark signifies that the two codes on either side of the hyphen represent a continuum of options that share similar descriptions or contexts. For instance, if you see a range specified as "12345-12350," it tells the coder that all codes from 12345 through 12350 are relevant to the description listed, allowing for the selection of the appropriate code based on the specifics of the procedure performed.

This understanding of how the hyphen functions is important for accurate coding, as it helps coders to quickly identify the options available for coding a particular procedure or service. The use of a hyphen streamlines the coding process and contributes to more precise coding practices. In contrast, the other punctuation marks like commas, semicolons, and colons serve different purposes in the coding context and do not indicate ranges in the same manner.