Uncover the World of Medical Coding
Written by Janine Mothershed, CPC, CPC-I, CADS, CAC, Founder and Instructor of Coding Clarified, an AAPC licensed medical coding school. Janine has worked as a medical coder since 2005. Every guideline post here is kept current to the latest code year so you can study and code with confidence.
What Is Medical Coding? Definition, Code Sets, and How to Get Started (2026)
What is medical coding? Learn what a medical coder does each day, the code sets used, coding vs billing, and how to become a medical coder, from a CPC-I.
Thoracentesis Coding 2026: CPT 32554, 32555 & ICD-10-CM
A thoracentesis case study for 2026: how to choose between CPT 32554 and 32555, code malignant pleural effusion in ICD-10-CM, and read the procedure note.
Present on Admission (POA) Coding Guidelines 2026
Learn the five POA indicators (Y, N, U, W and 1), when POA reporting applies, and the common mistakes coders make on inpatient claims in 2026.
Coding Clarified Resources for Medical Coders in 2026
Free CPC practice exams, training, scholarships, internships and apprenticeships: the Coding Clarified resources that help new medical coders get started.
How to Code a Pathological Femur Fracture With Suspected Bone Metastasis in 2026: ICD-10-CM, CPT & Case Study
A 2026 case study on coding a pathological femur fracture with suspected metastasis, including M84.552A, why C79.51 needs confirmation, and CPT selection.
Who Is Legally and Financially Responsible for Medical Coding and Billing Errors? 2026 Compliance Guide
Who is responsible when a coding or billing error happens: the coder, the biller or the provider? A 2026 compliance guide to liability, audits and refunds.
CPT Updates 2027: 299 New Codes, 80 Deleted Codes, 74 Revisions & Major Changes
The CPT 2027 code set adds 299 codes, deletes 80 and revises 74. See the major changes coders and billers must prepare for before January 1, 2027.
ICD-10-CM 2027 Updates: 190 New Codes, Deleted Codes, Revised Codes & Key Changes
The FY 2027 ICD-10-CM updates took effect October 1, 2026, bringing important diagnosis coding changes that medical coders, billers, providers, clinical
How to Code Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in 2026: CPT 43644 and ICD-10-CM Case Study
How to code a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with CPT 43644, which steps are bundled, and how to support the ICD-10-CM diagnosis for obesity.