When were HCPCS Level III codes eliminated?

HCPCS Level III codes, which were used to identify specific medical services, procedures, and supplies, were officially eliminated in 2003. The decision to discontinue these codes was made in an effort to streamline the coding process and reduce confusion in the coding system. HCPCS Level III codes were primarily used by individual states and were not uniformly adopted across the country, leading to inconsistencies in procedure reporting. The transition to using only HCPCS Level I (CPT codes) and Level II codes (national codes for non-physician services) aimed to create a more standardized approach to medical coding. This change has contributed to improved efficiency in billing and reimbursement within the healthcare system, making option from 2003 the correct answer.