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ICD-10 vs CPT: what is the difference?
ICD-10-CM codes say what the diagnosis is; CDC's National Center for Health Statistics publishes the US code set. CPT codes say what was done; the American Medical Association maintains them. A claim usually carries both.
Facts only, from 3 cited sources, checked October 23, 2026. This page does not recommend either option.
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ICD-10 vs CPT side by side
| ICD-10-CM (diagnosis codes) | CPT (procedure codes) | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codes | Medical diagnoses | Procedures and services | CDC NCHS: ICD-10-CM |
| Maintained by | CDC National Center for Health Statistics | American Medical Association | CMS: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) |
| Format | Letter, digits, and up to 7 characters (such as I10) | Numeric | CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 files (as loaded on this site) |
| Size on this site | 98,403 FY2027 codes, 74,879 billable | Not listed (AMA copyright) | CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 files (as loaded on this site) |
| Update cycle | Fiscal year files each October 1 | AMA updates yearly | CDC NCHS: ICD-10-CM |
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Questions
What is the difference between ICD-10 and CPT?
ICD-10-CM codes say what the diagnosis is; CDC's National Center for Health Statistics publishes the US code set. CPT codes say what was done; the American Medical Association maintains them. A claim usually carries both.
Do claims need both ICD-10 and CPT codes?
Professional claims usually list diagnosis codes (ICD-10-CM) and procedure codes (CPT or HCPCS). The payer's rules decide what is required.