Deliberate manipulation of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for increased payment by using a code for a higher payment than the code for the service performed (e.g., a podiatrist who performs a simple nail clip service but bills for foot surgery). Under the False Claims Act, providers who are caught upcoding face a civil monetary penalty of $5,000 to $10,000 per service. In addition, the federal government can make an assessment against a provider of up to three times the service claim amount as repayment for a Medicare case. Also called code creep or overcoding .