Many EMRs now embed ICD‑10 and CPT codes directly into the medical record. But is that advisable? The safest approach is still to let the documentation stand on its own. The content of the record should support the coding choices, and coders and auditors should base their work on the medical facts as documented. Codes can—and should—be applied only after the documentation is complete.

On today’s CodeCast episode, Terry explains that when providers insert billing codes into the note, the intention may be good, but the risk of contradictions or inaccuracies can outweigh any perceived benefit.

Should medical record documentation stand alone, without templated teaching language that was never meant to be included? Should codes appear in the record simply to give the impression of accuracy, rather than allowing the documentation to speak for itself?

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