Which of the following coding systems is primarily used for outpatient procedures?

The CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) coding system is the most common coding system used for outpatient procedures. CPT codes are designed to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and are crucial for billing and reimbursement in outpatient settings. These codes allow healthcare providers to communicate the specifics of the procedures performed to insurers and other payers, ensuring that they are properly compensated for their services.

CPT codes cover a wide variety of services, including evaluation and management, anesthesia, surgery, radiology, and pathology/laboratory, making them essential for outpatient facilities such as clinics and private practices. This specialized focus on outpatient procedures distinguishes CPT from other coding systems, which serve different purposes or contexts.

The other coding systems mentioned have specific uses that do not primarily focus on outpatient procedures. ICD-10-CM, for example, is used primarily for diagnosing conditions rather than procedural billing. HCPCS Level II codes are mainly used for items and services not covered by CPT, such as durable medical equipment. MS-DRG is related to inpatient hospital stays and is used for billing based on diagnoses and resource utilization, which again is not applicable to outpatient services.