Who is primarily responsible for accurate coding and billing of medical services in a hospital?

• A. Medical coder (coding specialist).
• B. Registered nurse.
• C. Pharmacist.
• D. Physical therapist.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that translating the actual patient care into standardized codes for billing is a specialized task. Medical coders review the chart—physician notes, operative reports, test results—and assign the correct ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS codes, apply modifiers, and ensure the claim matches payer rules and compliance requirements. This role directly drives accurate reimbursement and data quality for the hospital, and they work to catch documentation gaps that could lead to errors or audits.

Other health professionals provide essential care and document what was done, but the responsibility for accurate coding and billing rests with the coding specialist who has training in coding guidelines, payer policies, and billing practices.