4.04 Understanding Medical Coding

What is the primary purpose of medical coding?

• To create medical equipment

• To document and code medical procedures for billing

• To train medical personnel

• To perform medical research

What might a doctor do if you have a severe leg injury?

• Immediately perform surgery

• Perform an x-ray and possibly realign the bone

• Give a psychological assessment

• Prescribe a pain reliever

Why are diagnostic and procedural codes used in healthcare?

• To make healthcare more expensive

• To facilitate communication and billing

• To confuse patients

• For patient entertainment

How is a patient's complaint initially recorded by a medical professional?

• In a personal diary

• In medical language

• In a legal document

• In an email

What might 'HELP I THINK MY LEG IS BROKEN!' be officially documented as by a medical professional?

• The patient needs a vacation

• The patient has a fracture

• The patient is feeling fine

• The patient has a minor scratch

What role do insurance companies play in the context of medical coding?

• They understand and use the codes for processing claims

• They prescribe medications

• They provide medical training

• They design medical codes