What organization is responsible for maintaining the permanent national codes in CMS HCPCS?

The organization that is responsible for maintaining the permanent national codes in the CMS HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) is the CMS HCPCS Workgroup. This workgroup is specifically tasked with the oversight and management of the codes that fall under HCPCS, which includes Level II codes that are used to represent non-physician services, such as ambulance services and durable medical equipment.

The CMS HCPCS Workgroup conducts regular updates and revisions to ensure that the coding system reflects current healthcare practices and technological advances, making it essential for effective billing and reimbursement processes. Their role is critical in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the coding that is vital for healthcare providers and payers.

In contrast, the other organizations mentioned play different roles within healthcare coding and billing. The CDI Workgroup focuses on clinical documentation improvement, the CPT Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes but not the HCPCS, and NCCI Edits refer to the National Correct Coding Initiative, which is aimed at promoting correct coding methodologies rather than directly managing HCPCS codes. This distinction reinforces the specific responsibility of the CMS HCPCS Workgroup in maintaining the HCPCS codes.