Documentation

Getting Started

Create Your Account

Sign up at hccbuddy.com/signup to start your 14-day free trial — full access, no credit card required. After the trial, Pro is $19.99/month (founding member rate) or $199.99/year for unlimited lookups, AI assistant (Ask Buddy), drug reference, NPI lookup, RAF calculator, guidelines search, and code basket.

Look Up Your First Code

Visit hccbuddy.com/encoder. Type a diagnosis name (e.g., “diabetes”) or ICD-10 code (e.g., “E11.65”) in the search bar. Select a code from the dropdown to open the code detail panel. The HCC mapping for V28 and V24 appears immediately — no additional steps.

Install the Chrome Extension

Search “HCC Buddy” in the Chrome Web Store. After installing, click the extension icon and log in with your HCC Buddy account. The same subscription covers both the website and extension.

Encoder Features

ICD-10-CM Search

Type any diagnosis name, clinical term, or exact code. Results show code, description, HCC mapping, and billable status. Use the Alphabetic Index tab for term-based browsing.

HCC Mapping

Every billable code shows its HCC category under CMS-HCC V28 and V24 models. The RAF coefficient displays alongside the HCC number. Codes that do not map to any HCC are labeled “Non-HCC” so you can immediately assess risk adjustment value.

Alpha Bar Navigation

Click any letter A–Z to browse the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index by first letter. Useful for browsing conditions by term rather than code range.

Code Basket

Bookmark codes for the current session using the basket icon on any code detail. Retrieve your saved codes from the Basket tab in the left sidebar.

Ask Buddy (AI Assistant)

Click the “Ask Buddy” button (bottom-right on desktop, bottom nav on mobile) to open the AI coding assistant. Ask clinical questions, validate HCC mappings, or get documentation tips for any active code. Requires Pro subscription.

Drug Reference

Search medications to find associated ICD-10 codes for common indications. Available in the sidebar under the Drug tab. Requires Pro.

NPI Lookup

Search 9.37 million providers by name, NPI number, or specialty. Filter by state. Available in the sidebar under the NPI tab. Requires Pro.

Chrome Extension

The HCC Buddy Chrome extension brings ICD-10 lookup directly into your browser without switching tabs.

Installation

Open the Chrome Web Store and search “HCC Buddy” or visit the direct listing link (hccbuddy.com/extension). Click “Add to Chrome.” Once installed, the HCC Buddy icon appears in your browser toolbar.

Shared Account

Log in with the same email and password you use on hccbuddy.com. Your subscription covers both the website and the extension — no separate purchase needed.

How It Works

Click the extension icon while reviewing a patient chart or Electronic Medical Record. Type an ICD-10 code or diagnosis to instantly see the HCC mapping, RAF weight, and V28/V24 status. Pro subscribers also get AI coding tips directly in the extension.

Supported Browsers

Chrome and any Chromium-based browser (Edge, Brave, Arc). Firefox extension is not currently available.