How does correct coding initiative relate to medical billing and coding?

NCCI: The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) was implemented in 1996. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the NCCI to promote national correct coding methodologies and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payment. The purpose of the NCCI edits is to prevent improper payments when inappropriate code combinations or unlikely units of service are reported.