Restructured BETOS Classification System
The Restructured BETOS Classification System (RBCS) dataset is a taxonomy that allows researchers to group healthcare service codes for Medicare Part B services (i.e., HCPCS codes) into clinically meaningful categories...
Freshness
- Last posted
- Period covered
- Jan 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2025
- Update frequency
- Annually
Dates as CMS lists them in its catalog.
Columns 17
| Column | What it means | Type |
|---|---|---|
HCPCS CodeHCPCS_Cd | string | |
RBCS IDRBCS_Id | RBCS identifier. | string |
RBCS CategoryRBCS_Cat | The first character of the RBCS ID, which represents the "Category". | string |
RBCS Category DescriptionRBCS_Cat_Desc | The description of the RBCS Category. | string |
RBCS SubcategoryRBCS_Cat_Subcat | The first 2 characters of the RBCS ID, which represents the "Subcategory". | string |
RBCS Subcategory DescriptionRBCS_Subcat_Desc | The description of the RBCS Subcategory. | string |
RBCS Family NumberRBCS_FamNumb | The third, fourth, and fifth characters of the RBCS ID, which represents the "Family". | string |
RBCS Family DescriptionRBCS_Family_Desc | The description of the RBCS Family. | string |
RBCS Major Procedure IndicatorRBCS_Major_Ind | The sixth character of the RBCS ID, which represents the type of procedure as Major (M), Other (O), or a non-procedure (N). | string |
HCPCS Code Add DateHCPCS_Cd_Add_Dt | The start date that a HCPCS/CPT code is active. | string |
HCPCS Code End DateHCPCS_Cd_End_Dt | The date that a HCPCS/CPT code is retired. | string |
RBCS Latest AssignmentRBCS_Latest_Assignment | The latest RBCS ID assignment for the HCPCS/CPT code. A value of "1" indicates that the RBCS ID is the most recent assignment for the HCPCS/CPT code. A value of "0" indicates that the RBCS ID is not the most recent assignment for the HCPCS/CPT code. | string |
First RBCS Release YearFirst_RBCS_Release_Year | The first release year that the RBCS ID was assigned to a HCPCS/CPT code. This variable is essentially an RBCS Release Year "version" number. | string |
RBCS Analysis Start DateRBCS_Analysis_Start_Dt | The earliest claim calendar year that we recommend an RBCS ID is applied to a HCPCS/CPT code. | string |
RBCS Analysis End DateRBCS_Analysis_End_Dt | The latest claim calendar year that we recommend an RBCS ID is applied to a HCPCS/CPT code. | string |
Alternative Assignment MethodAlt_Assignment_Method | A value of "1" indicates that the standard process (i.e., a 5-year claims or 6-year fee schedule window) was not used to create the RBCS ID assignment; whereas a value of "0" indicates that the standard process was used to assign the RBCS ID to the HCPCS/CPT code. | string |
RBCS Ever Reassigned FlagRBCS_Id_Ever_Reassigned | A value of "1" indicates that the HCPCS/CPT code has more than 1 RBCS ID assignment. A value of "0" means that the HCPCS/CPT code only has one RBCS ID assignment. | string |
No column matches that filter.
At a glance
- Catalog
- data.cms.gov
- Publisher
- Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA)
- Rows
- 20,081
- Columns
- 17
- State column
- None found
API
Free, no key needed. This request returns the first 10 rows as JSON:
https://data.cms.gov/data-api/v1/dataset/e3db6e56-149f-49ce-b374-40aecda2357b/data?size=10
CMS's description
The Restructured BETOS Classification System (RBCS) dataset is a taxonomy that allows researchers to group healthcare service codes for Medicare Part B services (i.e., HCPCS codes) into clinically meaningful categories and subcategories. It is based on the original Berenson-Eggers Type of Service (BETOS) classification created in the 1980s, and includes notable updates such as Part B non-physician services. The RBCS will undergo annual updates by a technical expert panel of researchers and clinicians.
Methodology and other documents from CMS:
The summary at the top is the first sentence of this description. Record id cms:e3db6e56-149f-49ce-b374-40aecda2357b. This record as JSON.