---
name: read-coding-denials
description: "Trace coding denials to documentation, code selection, or modifier use as decision-support, never to up-coding. Reach for this when coding denials rise."
---

# Skill: Read coding-driven denials

Coding denials usually trace to documentation, not the code.

## Step 1 — Isolate coding denials
Separate coding/documentation denials from eligibility/auth (§3 #5).

## Step 2 — Trace the cause
Documentation gap, wrong code level, or modifier — as coder decision-support (§3 #7).

## Step 3 — Fix the documentation
Prescribe the documentation/template change, not an up-code (§3 #7).

## Step 4 — Re-measure
Track the coding-denial rate after the fix.

## Output
A coding-denial root-cause trace, a documentation fix, and the before/after — never up-coding.