Medical Coding Practice Test

Upcoding refers to the practice of assigning a code that results in a higher payment than what the service actually warranted. In the context of medical coding, this can occur when a coder selects a code that describes a more complex procedure or service than what was actually performed. The intention behind this may be to increase revenue for the healthcare provider. It is important to understand that upcoding is unethical and can lead to severe legal repercussions for both the provider and the coder, as it represents a fraudulent practice that misrepresents the patient's treatment and the corresponding reimbursement level.

The other choices highlight different aspects of coding practices but do not accurately define "upcoding." For instance, assigning a code that results in lower reimbursement or for a procedure not performed addresses other types of coding inaccuracies yet does not capture the essence of upcoding. Assigning a code that reflects the complexity of the service provided is necessary to ensure proper coding but does not fall under the definition of upcoding.