Step-by-Step Medical Coding 2008 Edition

This practical guide prepares you for a career in medical coding with comprehensive coverage from the most trusted source in the field. In it you'll get an introduction to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) , as well as in-depth explanations of the sections found in the CPT manual, in sequential order. Each chapter in Unit 1 introduces various procedures and demonstrate how to properly code them. Practice exercises reinforce important concepts and allow you to test your comprehension. This detailed, up-to-date resource also features complete coverage of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and third-party reimbursement, along with 1997 documentation guidelines for E/M services, and Alpha II iCoder exercises.Full-color presentation makes content visually stimulating.In-text exercises throughout each chapter reinforce coding rules and concepts and emphasize the book's step-by-step organization.Concrete "real-life" coding examples allow you to apply important coding principles and practices to actual scenarios from the field.Medical procedure illustrations and discussions help you better understand the services being coded.Three varieties of answer blanks test your understanding of correct coding practices.Coding Shots provide tips for complicated coding scenarios and advice for entering the job market.Stop! notes offer a brief summary of material just covered to help ensure retention and understanding and provide a transition into the next topic.Caution! notes warn users of common coding mistakes and reinforce the concept of coding as an exact science.Check This Out! Boxes offer notes on accessing reference information, primarily via the Internet.Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting boxes present the official guidelines alongside text discussions and visually indicate inpatient vs. outpatient use.30-day trial access to Alpha II iCoder introduces you to professional coding software and acts as a supplement to the main text material.Companion CD provides a variety of activities that reinforce material from the text.Updated text presents the latest coding information available.Quick Check features immediately reinforce key concepts and test your retention and understanding.New From the Trenches quotes provide valuable insights from instructors and professionals in the medical coding field.Coders Index makes it easy to instantly locate specific codes.