To the Editor:

I take exception to Dr. Weinman’s comments regarding coding and documentation [Letters, January 2002, page 14]. If the current guidelines are so much easier than biochemistry and can be mastered in one to two weeks, as Dr. Weinman claims, then why was there disagreement on six sample cases coded by five “experts” in the study conducted by Dr. King [King MS, Sharp L, Lipsky M. Accuracy of CPT evaluation and management coding by family physicians. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2001;14(3):184–192.]? And why did the coding review panel completely agree only 17 percent of the time in “Test Your Coding Skills” [FPM, February, 2002, page 41]? Unfortunately, when it comes to coding, the only correct answer is that of the auditor.