downcode

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verb

To change the diagnostic code of a patient's condition to a code for which a smaller amount will be billed.

Scrabble 15
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Meanings

verbdowncode (third-person singular simple present downcodes, present participle downcoding, simple past and past participle downcoded)

present singular third person downcodes · participle present downcoding · participle past downcoded · past downcoded

  1. USmedicineTo change the diagnostic code of a patient's condition to a code for which a smaller amount will be billed.

Origin

From down- + code.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

downcode. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/downcode

MLA

“downcode.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/downcode. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “downcode,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/downcode.

Source: downcode on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.