The complexities of medical billing and coding are rife with possibilities for practical errors and errors in judgment. Both carry potentially devastating financial and personal consequences. A code of ethics provides guidelines for professional behavior that avoids those pitfalls.

Medical Billing Code of Ethics

Several medical billing company websites include a Medical Billing Professionals Code of Ethics. It is divided into two sections. Section one deals with principles, section two addresses rules and guidelines. The code goes into considerable detail and offers sound advice for appropriate professional conduct.

AAPC Code of Ethics

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a private company providing training and certification for medical billers and coders around the world. All coding professionals certified by the AAPC must adhere to the code written by their standing committee on ethics policies and procedures. If they do not, they lose their certification.

HIPAA Compliance

Medical billing and coding professionals are bound by all HIPAA rules of compliance. It does not matter if they work for a billing company or are individuals working in home offices. Along with a code of ethics, understanding those rules of compliance is also essential to appropriate professional behavior.