Which of the following professionals is responsible for assigning codes to patient charges and diagnoses?

Which of the following professionals is responsible for assigning codes to patient charges and diagnoses?

• A. Medical Assistant
• B. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• C. Certified Professional Coder
• D. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Answer: (C)

The role of a Certified Professional Coder is specifically focused on assigning codes to patient charges and diagnoses, making this the correct choice. These professionals are trained in coding systems such as the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology), which are crucial for billing and insurance purposes in healthcare. They ensure that diagnoses, treatments, and procedures are accurately coded, which helps in the reimbursement process for healthcare services rendered. In contrast, Medical Assistants often perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, which may include some aspects of coding but do not usually specialize in it. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers typically focus on imaging and do not engage in coding patient services. Nuclear Medicine Technologists work with radioactive materials to perform diagnostic tests and treatments, and their work similarly does not involve the coding of patient diagnoses or charges.

The role of a Certified Professional Coder is specifically focused on assigning codes to patient charges and diagnoses, making this the correct choice. These professionals are trained in coding systems such as the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology), which are crucial for billing and insurance purposes in healthcare. They ensure that diagnoses, treatments, and procedures are accurately coded, which helps in the reimbursement process for healthcare services rendered.

In contrast, Medical Assistants often perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, which may include some aspects of coding but do not usually specialize in it. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers typically focus on imaging and do not engage in coding patient services. Nuclear Medicine Technologists work with radioactive materials to perform diagnostic tests and treatments, and their work similarly does not involve the coding of patient diagnoses or charges.