Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The recommendation to review charge description master (CDM) files annually and update them consistently is based on the need for healthcare providers to keep their billing and coding practices current and accurate. An annual review allows for the incorporation of updates in coding guidelines, regulatory changes, and modifications in billing practices that may arise throughout the year. This frequency ensures that the CDM reflects any new services, technologies, or changes in reimbursement policies.

Regular updates help prevent issues related to underbilling or overbilling by ensuring that all services are accurately represented and priced according to the latest standards. This practice also helps maintain compliance with Medicare and Medicaid regulations, which can change frequently. With an annual schedule, coders can systematically examine each item, assess its relevance, make necessary updates to codes or descriptions, and train staff on any changes made in the CDM.

On the other hand, less frequent reviews, such as once every five years or quarterly, could lead to significant discrepancies over time, making it harder to ensure accuracy and compliance. Additionally, only reviewing when a new service is added would neglect ongoing changes that occur within existing services and could leave the CDM unresponsive to recent developments in healthcare practices. Such inconsistency may ultimately affect revenue cycles and impact the overall efficiency of billing