In HCC coder's tools, how is Medical Record defined?

• A. Medical Record - provider's documentation of medical service given
• B. Project Guidelines - project or company guidelines are applied
• C. ICD-10 CM Codebook, Coding Clinic - guidelines must be used
• D. Date of service

Answer: (A)

The Medical Record in HCC coder's tools is the provider's documentation of the medical service given. This record includes the clinician’s notes, diagnoses, treatments, test results, and other documentation that shows what care was delivered and why. It serves as the source that coders reference to determine which diagnoses and procedures are supported and to justify the coding decisions used for risk adjustment.

Other options describe guidelines for a project, or external coding references, or simply the date the service occurred. Those are not the definition of the Medical Record—the Medical Record is the actual patient-care documentation created by the provider.