The use of electronic medical records in the healthcare industry has made it necessary to hire skilled technical workers in medical coding and billing. With electronic records, healthcare professionals can easily enter patients’ medical information, medical procedures and diagnoses. For those who are interested in the medical field, information processing and technology, a career in medical coding and billing is a viable career option. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook for medical coders and billers is steady and job opportunities are expected to increase by 20% by the year 2018. Those who are comfortable and well-versed in various computer software in particular electronic health records systems will be in particular demand.
Medical Coding and Billing Basics
Medical codes for doctors’ diagnosis codes (for instance, ICD-9 and ICD-10) and for procedure codes (CPT) are the basis for all medical billing information systems used today. Medical coders are responsible for entering the appropriate codes for each patient after a doctor’s visit, medical procedure and treatment. Medical codes are universally understood by healthcare facilities and insurance agencies that process claims and reimbursements for patient care.
The typical work day of a medical coders and billers is 40-hour work week in an office setting within a private doctor’s office, patient or insurance processing center or within a hospital billing department. The typical annual salary of a medical coder or biller could range from $26,000 to $42,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary scale for coders and billers depends upon whether the workplace is a private doctor’s office or a large hospital.
While many medical billers work in shifts in the day or late evening in their offices, some may work from their homes. The work load is often heavy and requires a great deal of detail in entering the appropriate codes into a computer system. Medical coders and billers will often sit for long hours at a computer terminal and use the telephone to fact find for additional information needed to process insurance claims. This work requires patience, comfort with technology, accuracy and attention to detail.
Training for Medical Coding and Billing
For those interested in a career in medical coding and billing, training in anatomy, chemistry and biology in addition to courses in technology and patient information systems is necessary. Most medical coders have some type of technical background or comfort level for using computers and information systems. Medical coders often experience heavy workloads and thus should be comfortable in working with lots of paperwork, forms and files. Many medical coders and billers will have come from careers involving work with contracts, large filing systems and computer systems.
The minimum degree for a medical coder and biller would be a 2-year associate degree from a community college, technical school or university. Further training for most medical billers involves obtaining credentials or certification in medical coding and billing from accrediting organizations such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
For instance, the American Academy of Professional Coders offers online and in-person training in medical coding using ICD codes for medical diagnoses and procedures. They also offer training in medical billing of Medicare, Medicaid and private patient insurance. Generally the training consists of one or two courses followed by a certification exam. Students must successfully pass the exam in order to obtain certifications in coding, specialty coding and medical billing. Continued completion of certification exams is required by most professionals in the field in order to maintain credentials.
While there are a few certification organizations out there to choose from, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or potential employers on the most widely recognized. Also, be aware that there are differnet certifications for coding (CPC), specialty coding used in outpatient centers and hospitals (CPC-H) and billing (CPC-P). Find out which type of certifications are offered by the credentialing organization.
To advance in this field, look to obtain special certifications once the basic certifications are obtained. Specialty coders and billers can have certifications in a variety of medical disciplines such as Cardiovascular (CIRCC), Pediatrics (CPEDC), Hematology and Oncology (CHONC), General Surgery (CGSC) and Orthopedics Surgery (COSC) just to name a few. The need for these special types of coding credentials depends on the individual’s career goals and desires in addition to the type of place they plan to work in. One could also obtain a Bachelor’s degree and work towards becoming a health information manager in a hospital or private healthcare organization. These career paths are more lucrative and are obtainable with some level of experience first in medical coding and billing.
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