Buck's Step-by-Step Medical Coding, 2026 Edition

Take your first step toward a successful career in medical coding with guidance from the most trusted name in coding education! The bestselling Buck's Step-by-Step Medical Coding is a practical, easy-to-use resource that shows you exactly how to code using all current coding sets. To reinforce your understanding, practice exercises follow the explanations of each coding concept. In addition to coverage of reimbursement, ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, and inpatient coding, an Evolve website includes 30-day access to TruCode (R) Encoder Essentials. No other book so thoroughly covers all coding sets!

Theory and practical review questions (located at the end of each chapter) focus on recalling important chapter information and application of codes
A step-by-step approach makes it easier to build your coding skills and remember the material
Learning objective and glossary review questions reinforce your understanding of key chapter concepts and terms
Coverage reflects the latest CPT E/M guidelines changes for office and other outpatient codes
30-day trial to TruCode (R) Encoder Essentials gives you experience with using an encoder (plus access to additional encoder practice exercises on the Evolve website)
UNIQUE! "Real-life" coding reports simulate the reports you will encounter as a coder and help you apply coding principles to actual cases
Online activities on Evolve provide extra practice with assignments, including coding reports
More than 450 illustrations help you understand the types of medical conditions and procedures being coded, and include examples taken directly from Elsevier's professional ICD-10 and HCPCS manuals
UNIQUE! Four coding-question variations - covering both single-code questions and multiple-code questions and scenarios - develop your coding ability and critical thinking skills
UNIQUE! Coders' Index in the back of the book makes it easy to quickly locate specific codes
Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting boxes show the official guidelines wording for inpatient and outpatient coding alongside in-text explanations
Exercises, Quick Checks, and Toolbox features reinforce coding rules and concepts, and emphasize key information
Valuable tips and advice are offered in features such as From the Trenches, Coding Shots, Stop!, Caution!, Check This Out, and CMS Rules
Sample EHR screenshots (in Appendix D) show examples similar to the electronic health records you will encounter in the workplace



NEW! Updated content includes the latest coding information available, promoting accurate coding and success on the job