What is the primary goal of medical coding?

The primary goal of medical coding is to ensure accurate and efficient billing for healthcare services. Medical coding involves translating the healthcare services and procedures provided to patients into universally recognized codes. These codes facilitate communication between healthcare providers, health insurers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that the billing process is efficient and precise.

Accurate coding is crucial because it directly impacts reimbursements from insurance companies, the financial viability of healthcare practices, and compliance with healthcare regulations. When services are correctly coded, it minimizes billing errors and accelerates the claims process, ultimately supporting the financial health of medical facilities.

While maintaining detailed patient health records, providing patient education, and compiling reports for hospital administration are essential functions within the healthcare ecosystem, they primarily serve supportive roles to the core function of medical coding, which centers primarily on the billing process.