Medical Coding

Medical Coding: What It Is and How It Works is the first book to provide an overview of the evolution of medical coding and all the various coding systems. For those contemplating a career in the coding field, this book is ideal as a basic orientation.

Medical coding is a process where you enter abbreviations on medical charts. A pamphlet can be helpful in learning the words and the abbreviations for those words. The abbreviations can be written on index cards so that the student can study for quizzes. Students learn the medical lingos seen on charts where medical coding is used, such as a doctor's office or a hospital.

Take a real-world approach to coding that prepares you for the AAPC or AHIMA certification exams and for professional practice in any health care setting. The book is also a handy resource you can turn to throughout your career. Unique decision trees show you how to logically assign a code. It's the only text that breaks down the decision-making process into a visual and repeatable process! You’ll learn exactly how to select the correct ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS codes. Each section parallels the Official Coding Guidelines, with a special emphasis on commonly used codes. A wealth of learning tools and tips, along with critical-thinking exercises and real-life case studies, provide the practice you need to master coding. Brief reviews of A&P and pathophysiology put the codes into perfect context.

Exercise by exercise, page by page, this workbook helps you develop into a skilled and proficient coder and to prepare for your AAPC or AHIMA certification exam. Each chapter in the workbook corresponds to a chapter in Conquer Medical Coding: A Critical-Thinking Approach with Coding Simulations, the field’s new standard in coding texts.

Take your first step toward a successful career in medical coding with comprehensive coverage from the most trusted source in the field! Step-by-Step Medical Coding is the practical, easy-to-use resource that shows you exactly how to code using all of today's coding systems, providing an in-depth introduction to essential coding concepts followed by practice exercises that reinforce your understanding. In addition to coverage of reimbursement, ICD-9-CM, CPT, HCPCS, and inpatient coding, the 2011 edition now provides full coverage of the ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding system in preparation for the transition in 2013. No other text on the market so thoroughly prepares you for all coding systems in one source! Carol J. Buck's proven step-by-step approach guides you through difficult concepts in the most direct, straightforward manner to ensure complete understanding. Dual coding prepares you for the switch to ICD-10. In Units 3-5, for every exercise and chapter review question with an ICD-9 answer, you are provided with the matching ICD-10 code. In-text exercises throughout each chapter reinforce coding rules and concepts and follow the book's step-by-step approach. Quick Check features immediately reinforce key concepts and test your retention and understanding. Toolbox features provide additional real world cases for analysis and applying knowledge to specific case elements. Concrete "real-life" coding examples allow you to apply important coding principles and practices to actual scenarios from the field. Full-color design with over 450 illustrations ensures easy navigation and presents material in a unique, compelling way. Coding Shots provide tips for complicated coding scenarios and advice for entering the job market. From the Trenches quotes provide valuable, up-to-date insights from instructors and professionals in the medical coding field. Stop! notes offer a brief summary of material just covered to help ensure retention and understanding and provide a transition into the next topic. Caution! notes warn of common coding mistakes and reinforce the concept of coding as an exact science. Check This Out! boxes offer notes on accessing reference information, primarily via the Internet. Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting boxes in Units 2 and 5 present the official outpatient and inpatient guidelines alongside text discussions. Coder's Index makes it easy to instantly locate specific codes. Practice activities and Coding Guidelines are available on the companion Evolve Resources website to help reinforce key concepts from the text and provide fast, easy access to the most up-to-date content. A free 30-day demo of SpeedECoder lets you complete cases using an actual online encoder.

UNIQUE! 100 real-world coding reports provide experience with reports similar to those you will encounter in practice. Theory exercises include fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and true or false questions. Practical exercises offer additional practice with line coding. Coding answer format mirrors that of Buck’s main text (including "multiple codes needed" icons to indicate when more than one code should be assigned). Answers to odd-numbered questions are available in Appendix B, allowing you to check your accuracy.

Take your first step toward a successful career in medical coding with in-depth coverage from the most trusted name in coding education! Carol J. Buck’s Step-by-Step Medical Coding, 2014 Edition is a practical, easy-to-use resource that shows you exactly how to code using all current coding systems. Explanations of coding concepts are followed by practice exercises to reinforce your understanding. In addition to coverage of reimbursement, ICD-9-CM, CPT, HCPCS, and inpatient coding, this edition provides complete coverage of the ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding system in preparation for the upcoming ICD-10 transition. No other text on the market so thoroughly covers all coding sets in one source! Over 500 illustrations of medical procedures and conditions help you understand the services being coded. Real-life coding reports simulate the reports you will encounter as a coder and help you apply coding principles to actual cases. Complete coverage of ICD-10-CM prepares you for the upcoming transition to ICD-10. Dual coding addresses the transition to ICD-10 by providing coding answers in both ICD-9 and ICD-10. Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting boxes allow you to read the official wording for inpatient and outpatient coding alongside in-text explanations. From the Trenches, Coding Shots, Stop!, Caution!, Check This Out!, and CMS Rules boxes offer valuable, up-to-date tips and advice for working in today’s medical coding field. Exercises, Quick Checks, and Toolbox features reinforce coding rules and concepts, and emphasize key information. Four coding question variations develop your coding ability and critical thinking skills. Coder’s Index makes it easy to quickly locate specific codes. Updated content includes the latest coding information available, promoting accurate coding and success on the job. New appendix with sample Electronic Health Record (EHR) screenshots provides examples similar to the EHRs you will encounter in the workplace.