The Best Medical Billing & Coding Textbooks

Medical coders assign codes to different medical services and procedures. This is not only to identify them but also so that the proper agencies can be billed. This not only applies to public and private insurance but also government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Medical coders need to be trained, learning and keeping abreast of a great deal of information in order to perform their tasks effectively.

"ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook"

• The "ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook" is recommended by the American Hospital Association and is often used in medical coding and billing courses. Written by Faye Brown, it is sometimes simply called “the Faye Brown book.” New editions are released every year, updated to reflect the latest changes put into place by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Two editions come out each year, one with answers and one without.

"UB-04 Handbook for Hospital Billing"

• Also recommended by the American Hospital Association is the "UB-04 Handbook for Hospital Billing" by Claudia Birkenshaw. This coding handbook also comes out regularly in revised and updated editions. The book not only explains how to complete a UB-04 billing form but also shows how UB-04 works together with ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS coding rules and restrictions. This is the only book released with the cooperation and recommendation of the National Uniform Billing Committee of the United States.

"Principles of CPT Coding"

• CPT, or current procedural terminology, codes are created, maintained and updated by the American Medical Association (AMA). "Principles of CPT Coding" comes straight from the AMA. It not only explains the codes and how to use them but also provides numerous tips and more than 50 exercises. You can also earn up the three continuing education credits by completing the "Principles of CPT Coding" quizzes online. There is also a separate "Principles of CPT Coding" workbook.

"The Next Step: Advanced Medical Coding"

• Written by Carol Buck, the former program director at Northwest Technical College, "The Next Step" moves up from beginning coding to take on advanced coding and interpretation. The books covers coding in anesthesia, radiology, the digestive, musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and pathology and laboratory. It includes several practice cases and an answer key for every other (not all) case. There is also a sample E/M (evaluation and management) audit form, resources and a list of abbreviations.