What is the term for linking a diagnosis to the services billed for a patient's treatment?

The term that refers to linking a diagnosis to the services billed for a patient's treatment is code linkage. This concept is crucial within medical coding and billing as it ensures that the services rendered are appropriately supported by the diagnosis provided in the patient's medical record. Proper code linkage is essential for accurate billing and to justify the necessity of the procedures performed. It helps in avoiding claim denials due to lack of documentation that connects the diagnosis with the billed services.

In practice, when coding a claim, the codes must clearly reflect a direct relationship between the diagnosis (what the patient suffers from) and the services provided (the treatment offered). This appropriateness in linking ensures compliance with coding guidelines and contributes to the overall integrity of the healthcare billing process.