Quote:
Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
Not to belittle your funny post, but what does "upcode up" mean? Is it like upgrade? The jargon is over my head.
Edited to note that I didn't mean to say "belittle" - I meant to say "detract from" - I don't know why I typed that - like a freudian slip or something.
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Docs and other medical providers use CPT codes (standardized numerical codes) to bill for patient services (this all started with Medicare/Medicaid). The CPT codes tell insurers what services were provided. Misuse of these standardized codes to obtain more money than is allowed by law is commonly termed “upcoding” or “upcharging.” The more serious the medical conditions, the more medical conditions listed as being present or treated, and the more extensive the services rendered, the greater the payment. So, if a doc upcodes your condition from "gassy" to "minor cardial infarction" he gets more money and you, the hypochondriac, are made happy by your greater standing in the disease community.
