Medical coding is the methodical process of assigning universal codes to patient reports that include symptoms, history, diagnosis, recommended medical procedures, course of therapy, etc. These codes are alphanumeric in form and are comprehensible to medical professionals worldwide. The American Academy of Professional Coders, or AAPC, is one healthcare organization that offers certification and training in a variety of non-hospital settings. Medical billing and medical coding are closely connected fields with many similarities. Medical billing and medical coding education typically go hand in hand.