Which one of the following is NOT part of the HCC coding process?

The process of Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding relies on accurate and validated medical records to reflect the patient's health status, including all relevant chronic conditions. When considering the HCC coding process, it's essential that diagnosis codes are substantiated by appropriate medical documentation. This not only ensures compliance with coding standards but also plays a critical role in achieving proper risk adjustment and reimbursement for healthcare services.

Submitting HCC codes without validation from medical records undermines the integrity of the coding process and can lead to inaccuracies in the data used for risk adjustment. Validation is necessary to confirm that the diagnoses recorded in the medical records are supported by clinical evidence and align with the HCC guidelines. By ensuring that all reported conditions are backed up by adequate documentation, healthcare providers can ensure that they are accurately compensated for the care provided, reducing the risk of audit discrepancies.

This leads to the understanding that effective coding requires thorough documentation and validation, making it clear why the assertion that HCC codes can be submitted without such validation is an incorrect approach in the HCC coding process.