2025 Procedure Desk Reference
Correct coding begins by interpreting the CPT® code descriptor correctly to accurately match it to medical documentation — but that’s not always straightforward. Code descriptors sometimes contain obscure medical terms and detecting slight variations within code families can be tricky.
AAPC’s Procedure Desk Reference 2025 puts an end to the confusion with fingertip access to easy-to-read lay term descriptions for over 11,000 CPT® codes — including evaluation and management, anesthesia, surgery (all specialties), radiology, pathology and laboratory, medicine, and Category III codes.
Key features and benefits
- Exhaustive CPT® code listings across specialties, including 2025 new and revised codes, with lay descriptions
- Glossary of over 5,000+ medical terms — Understand the nuances of procedures with this glossary of lay definitions from medical terms found within code descriptors
- Modifier lay terms and explanations — Know when and how to apply CPT® modifiers with a complete modifier list, accompanied by definitions, narrative explanations, and tips to ensure correct modifier assignment
- Introduction to surgical coding and surgical terms –— Build a solid understanding of coding surgical procedures and nail down procedures performed outside your main specialty
- Procedure eponyms — Refer to eponym definitions across specialties, arranged alphabetically for quick reference
- Basic types of anesthesia — Supplement your understanding of anesthesia CPT® codes 00100-01999 with walk-through explanations of anesthesia types and procedures, plus lay terms for each code
- Normal lab values and vital signs — Identify normal and abnormal test results when classification is lacking in medical chart or documentation
- Billing, coding, and reimbursement terms — Understand terminology used in medical billing documentation and improve your communication with payers
- Abbreviations table — Refer to an extensive list of abbreviations that spell out shorthand notes common to medical charts
- Anatomical illustrations — Understand anatomical components described in operative reports with a comprehensive collection of illustrations for all body systems
- eBook features include full searchability, easy bookmarking of pages, and highlighting and notation
- EBook reader preferences allow customizable font size, day or night mode, and note sharing with other users
Note: This book CANNOT be used for AAPC certification exams.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
With certain exceptions, products purchased from AAPC may be returned for a refund. Products must be submitted for a return within 30 days from the purchase or shipment date to be eligible for a refund. They must also be unopened and in resellable condition. Returned products are subject to a $5 restocking fee per item. Shipping charges are nonrefundable. Refund requests may be submitted in writing or verbally to AAPC.
Product-specific Return Policies
Refunds will not be issued for AAPC Membership, exams, webinars, or On Demand events.
Due to immediate electronic access, refunds or extension will not be issued for Online Practice Exams and Online Area of Study
Workshop registration is refundable, if you cancel at least one week prior to the workshop you may receive a refund less the $25 cancellation fee. In the event that a cancellation is received less than one week prior to the workshop, no refund will be given. You may transfer your registration to the on-demand version of the workshop or you may have a credit for a future workshop.
Conference registration is refundable, with varying fees and deadlines. See the specific conference web page for further details. Hotel cancellations are also subject to varying fees and deadlines; the specific conference web page will have further details for hotel cancellations as well.
Distance Learning online courses may be cancelled for a full refund within three days after the date of purchase, provided that the student has not accessed the online course, and course materials and books are returned unopened and in good condition to AAPC. After three business days, course cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee per course, in addition to any fees for course materials/books that are not returned to AAPC, or are returned opened or used. Refunds will not be issued for any course that has been accessed, viewed, or partially completed, and no refund is available for any course after 30 days from the purchase date. Course refund requests must be submitted in writing to AAPC for review and consideration. No refunds will be issued for course extensions. Distance Learning courses are for individual use only and are nontransferable.
E/M Online Training, and Online Exam Reviews that have not been accessed are refundable within 30 days of purchase date. No refund will be issued on any exam or training/review tool that has been accessed, viewed, or partially completed.
Refunds will not be issued for AAPC Membership, exams, webinars, or On Demand events.:
Due to immediate electronic access, refunds or extension will not be issued for Online Practice Exams and Online Area of Study
Returning an individual book that was purchased in a bundled package will invalidate the bundled discount. All the books in the bundle will revert to their regular prices and the remaining cost of the unreturned books will be subtracted from the refund.
eBook cancellations will be accepted only if the return request is made within 5 working days of placing the order. If the redemption codes are applied to access the eBook, refunds will not be processed.
Codify is not refundable, you may terminate your subscription or free trial by contacting AAPC via phone or email. To ensure that your credit card does not get charged, please make your cancelation request at least two business days prior to the end date of your subscription or free trial term.
Practicode may be cancelled for a full refund within 30 days of the date of purchase, provided the Client has not completed any exercises within the modules and/or assessments.
Reseller/Wholesaler Policy
Shipments must be securely packaged and in resalable condition through a carrier providing tracking information. AAPC will review and confirm returned products upon return. Credit to the account, minus applicable fees, will be posted once the audit is complete.
Upon receipt of your organization’s return requests, AAPC has the right to authorize and accept returns the following month, due to allocations of warehouse personnel to adequately process returns.
A $5 restocking fee will be applied to each item returned.
Annual books: Return of AAPC products will be accepted for full credit until September 30 of that version's year. Resellers/bookstores must complete returns within 90 days of purchase. Returns of AMA’s CPT® codebooks will be accepted for full credit until June 30 of that versions year.
