Standardization enables everyone to be on the same page with
coding. When the coding team and healthcare professionals go by
the same set of coding standards it makes the coding process run
more efficient. If everyone just coded what they wanted, the coding
process would never be consistent. Healthcare facilities and
insurance companies could charge patients whatever they wanted
for services.
The difference between inpatient and outpatient coding is that
inpatient coding is usually set up to cover multiple days of providing
healthcare services. Outpatient coding on the other hand is a shorter
process, and usually involves one day of service. Also, inpatient
coding has more diagnostic testing and imaging involved to arrive at
a diagnosis for the patient’s treatment. Outpatient coding usually
revolves around procedures and are more straightforward.
