Coding source policy
How HCC Buddy uses coding sources
HCC Buddy is built for risk-adjustment coders who need fast ICD-10-CM, CMS-HCC, RAF, V24, V28, and MEAT support without pulling unlicensed coding publications into the workflow. This page explains the source rules behind code pages, Ask Buddy answers, and coding education.
Sources we can use
- CMS-HCC model software, mapping files, and public CMS risk-adjustment documentsCMS Risk Adjustment model software & mapping files
- Official ICD-10-CM guidelines, tabular files, index files, and public NCHS/CMS releasesCMS ICD-10-CM code set & Official Guidelines · NCHS ICD-10-CM files
- CMS RADV, Medicare Advantage, Federal Register, and public compliance guidanceCMS Medicare Advantage risk adjustment
- HCC Buddy original coding explanations, reviewer notes, and product documentation
- Customer-authorized payer or policy documents when the account has the right to use them
- Licensed third-party references when the license covers customer-facing SaaS use
Sources we do not use publicly
- AHA Coding Clinic or Coding Clinic material unless HCC Buddy has an explicit commercial license for customer-facing SaaS use
- Paid prep-bank, leaked exam, Practicode-style, or proprietary training-bank questions
- Client-confidential payer policies or internal employer documents without authorization
- PHI-bearing chart text, patient identifiers, or customer-specific material on public pages
How answers are checked
1. Source provenance
Source labels separate public ICD-10-CM, public CMS, HCC Buddy curated notes, customer-authorized documents, licensed references, and blocked proprietary material.
2. Coding usefulness
Useful answers keep the ICD-10-CM code path, HCC mapping, documentation caveats, MEAT support, alternatives, and what a coder should verify before final code selection.
3. Proprietary-source checks
Ask Buddy redirects requests for proprietary publications toward public ICD-10-CM and CMS reasoning instead of refusing ordinary coding help or exposing restricted source labels.
Want to see the product side? Start with the ICD-10-CM lookup, the ICD-10 to HCC guide, or the HCC encoder.
Source policy FAQ
Does HCC Buddy use Coding Clinic content?
HCC Buddy does not provide, summarize, paraphrase, or cite AHA Coding Clinic or Coding Clinic material unless HCC Buddy has a license that covers customer-facing SaaS use. Ask Buddy redirects those requests toward public ICD-10-CM, CMS-HCC, and original coding reasoning instead.
What sources can HCC Buddy use for public coding guidance?
Public HCC Buddy guidance can use official ICD-10-CM files and guidelines, CMS-HCC model files, public CMS risk-adjustment and RADV documents, HCC Buddy original review notes, account-authorized documents, and licensed third-party material when the license allows the use.
What happens when a coder asks about a proprietary source?
HCC Buddy avoids quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing proprietary material. When possible, it still helps with the coding question by using public ICD-10-CM, CMS-HCC, MEAT, and original coder-facing reasoning.