Coding is recognized as one of the core health information management (HIM) functions within healthcare. Due to the complex regulatory requirements affecting the health information coding process, coding professionals are frequently faced with ethical coding and coding-related challenges. The Standards of Ethical Coding are important established guidelines for any coding professional and are based on the American Health Information Management Associatio Code of Ethics. Both reflect expectations of professional conduct for coding professionals involved in diagnostic and/or procedural coding, data abstraction and related coding and/or data activities.

-American Health Information Management Association Standards of Ethical Coding