Final answer:
Medical coders assign numbers to diagnoses and procedures using ICD codes, while voice recognition software can assist with some responsibilities. However, human expertise is still necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medical coders assign numbers to diagnoses and procedures using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. These codes are used by clinicians to order tests and treatments, by laboratories to identify tests to be performed, by healthcare management systems to ensure appropriateness of treatments, and by medical billers for claims reimbursement. ICD codes are also used by vital-records keepers and epidemiologists for recording cause of death and calculating morbidity and mortality statistics.
Voice recognition software can perform some responsibilities of medical coders and medical transcriptionists by converting spoken words into written text. However, it is important to note that voice recognition software cannot completely replace the expertise and accuracy of human coders and transcriptionists.