What is the primary purpose of a Category II CPT code?

The primary purpose of a Category II CPT code is to act as supplemental tracking codes for performance measurement. These codes are used to collect data on the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals. They help in assessing the frequency of certain services and the performance outcomes related to those services. By gathering this information, healthcare organizations can improve quality and efficiency, as well as enhance patient care.

In terms of context, Category II codes are not primarily used for billing, unlike Category I codes, which are the main method for billing healthcare services. They are also different from temporary codes, which relate more to emerging technologies or procedures that don’t yet have a permanent code assigned. Additionally, while they may relate to surgical procedures, they do not categorize them directly, as that is the function of Category I codes. Category II codes are specifically focused on tracking and measuring performance, making option C the correct answer.