2008 ABC Coding Manual - Index of

IV
Resources
ABC Terminology and Code Development Process (ABC Process)
This process is designed to ensure that ABC terminology and codes completely, accurately and precisely reflect the care
that was delivered. Quality assurance is conducted in partnership with alternative medicine, nursing and other integrative
healthcare professions (the “Professions”).
Today, most additions to the ABC terminology originate from these sources...
• nationally certified academic institutions
• practitioners and practitioner associations
• subject matter experts
• manufacturers of herbs, botanicals and other remedies
• coding or claims management personnel
ABC Coding Solutions-Alternative Link (the “Company”) maintains a database of almost 15 million records that tie ABC
codes to terms, expanded definitions, relative values and legally compliant use of ABC codes by multiple practitioner
types in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (based on legal scope of practice references).
Training and Representation in ABC Terminology and Code
Development
The Company works with national practitioner associations, subject matter experts (SMEs), credentialing bodies and
educational institutions within each participating Profession to establish ABC terminology and codes.
The primary objectives of the ABC Process are to:
• support the interests of each Profession
• concurrently advance individual and public health, business and industry efficiencies and
socioeconomic development, and
• support Congressional intent under HIPAA to automate healthcare transactions
To this end, ABC Coding Solutions/Alternative Link offers training in:
• policy issues associated with healthcare access, quality and cost-management
• characteristics of, challenges in, and societal imperatives for the National Health Information Network
(NHIN)
• insurance issues related to HIPAA, including coverage, reimbursement, fraud and abuse
• non-technical aspects of HIPAA transaction and code set requirements
• transactions and code sets for alternative medicine, nursing, behavioral health and other integrative
healthcare practices
• terminology and code development
By design, the conversion of healthcare terminology into ABC terminology involves all qualified interested parties. The
Company strives to make improvements to the ABC Process to give each Profession the greatest possible authority over
the terminology that characterizes that Profession.
288 2008 ABC Coding Manual for Integrative Healthcare