How to Do Medical Coding: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (ICD-10, CPT & HCPCS)
What Is Medical Coding? Medical coding is the process of converting healthcare diagnoses, procedures, and medical services into standardized alphanumeric codes. These codes are used for insurance claims, billing, medical records, and healthcare data management. Medical coders use internationally recognized coding systems such as: World Health Organization (WHO) – Develops the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) American Medical Association (AMA) – Publishes Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – Oversees Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Step-by-Step Guide to Doing Medical Coding 1️⃣ Understand Medical Terminology Before coding, learn: Anatomy and physiology Medical terminology Disease processes Pharmacology basics This helps you accurately interpret doctors’ notes. 2️⃣ Review the Patient’s Medical Record Carefully read: Physician notes Discharge summaries L...