Behind The Code: HCPCS

Mow-Services Behind The Code series is all about our goal of tackling confusing topics like codes and jargon used in the world of Meals on Wheels technology and making these items simpler to understand for the masses. Our first in the series is tackling the code HCPCS in the hopes of making this code simpler to understand.

FAQ:

1. HCPCS is abbreviation for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System

2. You may hear it pronounced in multiple ways including “hick picks” or “hick pa’s”

3. HCPCS is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

4. CMS is a federal government managed program

5. CMS is located at 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244

6. The CMS Website is: https://www.cms.gov/

7. S5170 is a typical (common) HCPCS code used in billing by Meals on Wheels Providers

8. We commonly see HCPCS code S5170 (for example) used by Meals on Wheels providers to be paid for Home Delivered Meal Services by government entities