What term refers to the process of coding services for billing purposes?

The term that signifies the process of coding services for billing purposes is medical coding. This process involves translating healthcare services, procedures, and diagnoses into universally recognized alphanumeric codes. These codes are crucial for billing and reimbursement by insurance companies and other payers, ensuring that healthcare providers receive compensation for the services rendered to patients.

Medical coding is essential in the healthcare industry as it facilitates clear communication about treatment provided, supports statistical reporting, and aids in auditing and compliance with regulations. It encompasses a variety of coding systems, such as ICD (International Classification of Diseases) for diagnoses and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) for procedures.

Other terms like medical indexing and clinical documentation refer to different aspects of healthcare management. Medical indexing involves categorizing information within health records for easier retrieval and does not specifically pertain to billing. Medical charting refers to the process of recording patient interactions and clinical information but is not focused solely on coding. Thus, the definition and implications of medical coding align directly with the process of coding services for billing, making it the correct choice in this context.