Medical Billing & Coding Help

Physicians and medical facilities use medical billing and coding to correspond with insurance companies. With the correct codes, insurance companies process claim forms smoothly, ensuring payment is made without delay.

Terminology

• Becoming familiar with medical terminology allows coders to accurately apply the correct billing codes to medical procedures. Online websites provide one method to learn the codes quickly. In addition, a coder should keep a medical dictionary on hand to look up any unfamiliar words.

Procedure Codes

• A five-digit code created by the American Medical Association is used to bill medical services and procedures. Coders require access to a current version of the Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, codes from the AMA to code correctly. The AMA website includes a practice management tips section for review of updates and help with medical coding.

Diagnosis Codes

• Along with a CPT code, accurate medical billing and coding requires the appropriate diagnosis code, which indicates medical necessity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "International Classifications of Diseases" serves as a resource for coders to locate the international classification of diseases code that correlates with the diagnosis or disease. Using the most current revision is necessary for accurate coding and billing.