If you think there is confusion with ICD-9 (17,000 codes), just wait when ICD-10 (155,000 codes) becomes the rule in the US (2013, national variants already in use in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Sweden)

Not all "office visits" are with the physician. Properly coded it applies in Coumadin Clinic for care by an APN,PA,Pharmacist, RN - varies by state regulation and insurance carrier.

Not to justify, but to add explanation: Specific charges from a hospital do not usually reflect the actual cost of a specific item, but reflect a markup, usually variable (the higher the cost of an item, the lower the percent markup). This allows a hospital to cover costs you're not specifically billed for, ie cost of housekeeping,laundry, electricity, water,food services, etc. Yes it would make more sense to roll these into the daily charge (room rate), but that's not how its done for many reasons(some historic, some due to strange cost accounting rules from outside entities).

Medicine has become a poorly, partially controlled utility with significant legal restrictions on collective bargaining and the ability to share certain non-medical data between groups that could lead to efficiencies and cost savings.

I agree with NAro's comments (#182008).

I brace for the onslaught.