Ethics

Code of Ethics

All holders of a CoderScore® and/or the CEPFG credential are required to follow the code of ethics.

Coders shall code all medical services and related information from documentation competently using every appropriate resource, including current CPT, ICD-10, HCPCS and payer policies
Coders shall code correctly, based on documentation and the delivery of actual services rendered, regardless of the impact on payment
Coders shall not discriminate in the delivery of their coding services or in the conduct of professional activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, culture, language, or dialect.
Coders shall protect the confidentiality and security of medical data and report HIPAA breaches as required by law.
Coders whose professional work is adversely affected by substance abuse, addiction, or other health-related conditions are impaired practitioners and shall seek professional assistance and, where appropriate, withdraw from the affected areas of work.
Coders shall enhance and refine their professional competence and expertise through engagement in lifelong learning applicable to their professional activities and skills.
Coders shall not misrepresent their credentials, competence, education, training, experience, and scholarly contributions.
Coders shall avoid engaging in conflicts of interest whereby personal, financial, or other considerations have the potential to influence or compromise professional judgment and objectivity.
Coders shall not defraud through intent, ignorance, or negligence or engage in any scheme to defraud in connection with obtaining payment, reimbursement, or grants and contracts for services provided and/or coding conducted
Coders shall not knowingly make false financial or nonfinancial statements and shall complete all materials honestly and without omission.
Coders shall not engage in any form of conduct that adversely reflects on the coding profession.
Coders shall not engage in dishonesty, negligence, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Coders shall not engage in any form of harassment, power abuse, or sexual harassment.
Coders shall not knowingly allow anyone under their supervision to engage in any practice that violates the Code of Ethics.
Coders shall reference the source when using other persons’ ideas, research, presentations, results, or products in written, oral, or any other media presentation or summary. To do otherwise constitutes plagiarism.
Coders shall not discriminate in their relationships with colleagues, assistants, students, support personnel, and members of other professions and disciplines on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, culture, language, dialect, or socioeconomic status.
Coders making and responding to complaints shall comply fully with the policies of CompetentSee, LLC in its consideration, adjudication, and resolution of complaints of alleged violations of the Code of Ethics.
Coders involved in ethics complaints shall not knowingly make false statements of fact or withhold relevant facts necessary to fairly adjudicate the complaints.
Coders shall comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to professional medical coding
Coders who have been convicted; been found guilty; or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to (1) any misdemeanor involving dishonesty, physical harm—or the threat of physical harm—to the person or property of another, or (2) any felony, shall self-report by notifying CompetentSee, LLC in writing within 30 days of the conviction, plea, or finding of guilt. Coders shall also provide a certified copy of the conviction, plea, nolo contendere.
Coders who have been publicly sanctioned or denied a professional credential by any medical coding professional association, or other medical coding professional regulatory body shall self-report by notifying CompetentSee, LLC