J. Mark Bailey, D.O., Ph.D., dFACN, professor in the Departments of Neurology and Anesthesiology, has been appointed as a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel member by the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees.

CPT functions as a standardized system, providing a universal language for accurately describing medical, surgical, and diagnostic services through terms and codes. This system plays a pivotal role in fostering effective communication across various stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, including physicians, patients, researchers, and public health officials.

"I've been an advisor to the American Osteopathic Association in the CPT process for numerous years, and I am honored to contribute to the entire house of medicine as a member of the CPT panel,” Bailey said. “I am looking forward to working with this dedicated group of professionals as well as the AMA staff.”

The CPT Editorial Panel, responsible for maintaining the CPT code set, helps ensure the accuracy and relevance of medical coding. With 21 members, the panel is authorized by the AMA Board of Trustees to make revisions, updates, or modifications to CPT codes, descriptors, rules, and guidelines.

Among the 17 members constituting the panel, 11 are physicians nominated by their respective national medical specialty societies and approved by the AMA Board of Trustees.

Additionally, representatives from the BlueCross BlueShield Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contribute one physician each to the panel.

Bailey's appointment to the CPT Editorial Panel highlights the continuous commitment of the medical community to advancing the tools that form the foundation of healthcare communication. As a panel member, Bailey will play a crucial role in shaping the future of medical coding, guaranteeing that it remains a reliable and effective means of communication in the ever-evolving field of healthcare.