Letter to Editor and Response

By
Sean Ianchulev, MD, MPH
Kevin J. Corcoran, COE, FNAO
September 1, 2026
7 min

Glaucoma Physician

Overview

This letter raises concerns about the lack of financial disclosures in coding guidance articles. The author argues for greater transparency in the relationships between reimbursement consultants and the coding materials they produce.

Background

The integrity of medical coding guidance is crucial as it directly impacts physician billing behavior and patient access. The absence of financial disclosures from authors of coding columns raises questions about the influence of undisclosed relationships on clinical practice.

Data Highlights

No numerical or trial data is presented in the letter.

Key Findings

The author criticizes the lack of financial disclosures in coding guidance articles.
Undisclosed reimbursement influences can shape coding interpretation and clinical practice.
The author calls for journals to apply disclosure standards rigorously to coding instruction.
There is a concern about the proliferation of CPT codes and its implications for clinical practice.