20 Medical Coding Interview Questions
1. What is medical coding, and why is it important in healthcare?
Answer: Medical coding is the process of converting healthcare procedures, diagnoses, and medical services into universally recognized alphanumeric codes. These codes are used for various purposes, including billing, reimbursement, statistical analysis, and healthcare research. Medical coding is crucial in healthcare as it ensures accurate documentation, standardized communication, and efficient processing of patient data, leading to appropriate reimbursement and improved patient care.
2. Explain the difference between ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding systems.
Answer: ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification) is used for diagnosing medical conditions and is mainly employed in outpatient settings. On the other hand, ICD-10-PCS (Procedure Coding System) is used for coding inpatient procedures and interventions. While ICD-10-CM codes consist of alphanumeric characters and are more detailed, ICD-10-PCS codes use a seven-character alphanumeric system and provide specific details about the procedure performed.
