Medical Coding

Medical coding is the process of transforming various healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into alphanumeric codes. These codes are used for various purposes, primarily for billing, insurance claims, and maintaining patient records. There are two main coding systems used in healthcare

International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

This system is used to code and classify diseases, conditions, and other health-related issues. ICD codes are essential for medical billing, epidemiology, and the tracking of public health trends. The most widely used version is ICD-10, but ICD-11 has been developed and is gradually being implemented.

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)

This system is used to code and classify diseases, conditions, and other health-related issues. ICD codes are essential for medical billing, epidemiology, and the tracking of public health trends. The most widely used version is ICD-10, but ICD-11 has been developed and is gradually being implemented.

Medical coders are professionals trained to assign these codes to diagnoses and procedures based on the information provided in medical records, such as physician's notes, laboratory and radiology results, and other relevant documents. Accurate coding is essential for healthcare facilities to receive proper reimbursement from insurance companies and government healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid.