MEAT in Medical Coding: Why It Matters In the world of medical coding and risk adjustment, one acronym stands out as the gold standard for validating diagnoses: MEAT. This simple tool helps coders ensure that each diagnosis is accurate, complete, and supported by...
Understanding SOAP Notes in Medical Coding In medical documentation and coding, SOAP notes are one of the most widely used formats for recording patient encounters. SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. This structured approach ensures providers...
Coding and Billing Not Elsewhere Classified (NEC) Medical Codes Medical coders frequently encounter “Not Elsewhere Classified” (NEC) codes in the ICD-10-CM, CPT®, or HCPCS coding systems. While these codes can seem confusing at first glance, they serve a very specific...
Guidelines & Tips for Preparing for and Taking a Pre-Employment Assessment in Medical Coding Medical coders often face pre-employment assessments as part of the hiring process. These assessments help employers evaluate coding knowledge, problem-solving ability,...
In the healthcare industry, the growing complexity of cyber threats, especially those targeting electronic health records (EHRs) and personal health information (PHI), is becoming an urgent concern. Social engineering remains one of the primary attack methods, with...
What AAPC Certification Is Most Beneficial After the CPC? For many coders, earning the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) credential from the AAPC is the first major milestone in their career. It validates a strong foundation in CPT®, HCPCS, and ICD-10-CM coding for...
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how the FY 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule—published by CMS on August 4, 2025—is set to reshape medical coding, documentation, and reimbursement starting October 1, 2025 Centers for Medicare &...
In the modern digital classroom, education is available to all people, no matter where they come from or what they can do. For most students, the text-based form of digital learning content can present a frustrating and usually insurmountable obstacle. By...
How to Use the AAPC E/M Calculator and How It Can Help You During the CPC Exam Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding is one of the most challenging areas for new coders and CPC exam candidates. With multiple factors to consider—history, exam, medical decision making,...
How to Study for the AAPC CPC Exam: Guidance & Tips Before you start: log in to your AAPC account and confirm the current exam format (delivery method, time limit, allowed references, and any policy updates). Tailor your plan to those official details. AAPC CPC...