What does a Category 3 code in CPT signify?

A Category 3 code in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system represents temporary codes that are used for emerging technologies, services, and procedures that are not yet widely accepted or established. These codes are intended to facilitate data collection and ensure flexibility in coding practices as new health care procedures become available and evolve.

Since these codes are temporary, they are not considered permanent additions to the CPT manual; instead, they may be reassessed and potentially converted into Category 1 codes if the procedures become widely used and established within the medical community. This reflects the dynamic nature of medical coding, which needs to adapt as new techniques and technologies are developed.

The other options do not accurately convey the temporary and evolving nature of Category 3 codes, focusing instead mistakenly on permanence or the exclusivity of the procedures that these codes represent.