Final answer:
Medical coding is the required coding type for billing in a mental health hospital. It involves translating medical procedures and diagnoses into alphanumeric codes for billing and insurance purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of billing for a mental health hospital, the coding type that is required is specifically medical coding. Medical coding is the process of translating medical procedures and diagnoses into alphanumeric codes for billing and insurance purposes. The most commonly used medical coding system is the International Classification of Diseases.
10th Revision (ICD-10) and the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. For example, when billing for a mental health therapy session, the appropriate medical coding would include the specific diagnosis code for the patient's mental health condition and the corresponding therapy code for the type of therapy provided.
Medical coding ensures accurate and standardized billing practices, as well as efficient reimbursement from insurance companies. It also helps track patient outcomes and supports research and statistical analysis within the mental health field.