Abstract: The system includes bar code reading apparatus which communicates with a hand held computer. The computer includes an encounter, diagnosis and procedure data base stored in memory. Bar coded procedure and diagnosis information readable by the bar code reader is provided. The computer is programmed to determine a level of service from the encounter information selected by the healthcare provider. The system provides an accurate way of assessing the appropriate level of encounter and it provides a compact, rapid method of collecting all data necessary to generate an accurate bill resulting from an encounter between a patient and a healthcare provider.