As a medical coder, you will assign specific numeric codes to medical services, procedures and diagnoses. Allied’s Medical Coding teaches you how to apply the right code in the right place and streamline the medical billing process. From knowledge of ICD-9-CM and CPT codes to reimbursement issues, you will be ready to play an important part in a medical office.
Friday, February 20, 2009
You've decided that it's time for a change. Whether forced by the economy or of your own accord, you'd like to switch careers and start something entirely new -- a solid career that will be around for years to come. How about a
medical coding career?
In today's economy, it is becoming more common to start a second career. After being exposed to terms like "outsourced," "downsized," and "laid off," it is becoming a necessity to chart a new career path. You want a recession-proof career and medical coding seems a good choice. Before you get started, consider:
1. You can imagine having a long-term and fulfilling career in the medical coding field
2. You already have some of the skills that are necessary to succeed in this field. If not, you are willing to get the training that will prepare you for your new medical coding career.
3. You have done your homework and thoroughly researched the medical coding field. You are up to date and know about the career outlook, wage data and necessary qualifications.
4. You have studied relevant organizations or health care facilities within your area and know your medical coding career options. You know what's out there and what opportunities exist for a newcomer.
5. You have networked and made contacts with people in the field. You like what they've told you, and have a foot in the door when it comes to getting a new medical coding job.
Done all of that? Now you can move forward with your career plans knowing that have made the right choice and can imagine a solid future as a medical coder. It's always a little bit scary when you try something new, but being fully informed can make the transition that much easier. You will know what to expect from your medical coding career and exactly how to make it happen. Labels: Certified Medical Coder, Medical Coding, medical coding and billing, medical coding career, medical coding online
Read Full Article>> How to Tell If Medical Coding is Right for You
Friday, February 13, 2009
New ICD-10 Compliance Date – More Time to Get Ready!The Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) played a large part in getting the ICD-10 switchover postponed. Full compliance is now due in 2013 instead of 2011, which is great news for medical coders and the U.S. health care system.
This extra time will allow the entire health care industry to effectively upgrade practice and billing procedures -- and get in compliance before the deadline. As expected, the revised timeline is welcomed by doctors, medical coders and other professionals. It will give adequate time for the needed software upgrades and facilitate a smooth transition.
The Need for an Expanded Medical Coding System
The bottom line is that the change is needed. The current ICD-9 medical coding system is nearly 30 years old, including approximately 17,000 procedure and diagnosis codes. The medical coding process is limited by the system -- the scope and capability is not large enough to encompass all of the procedures and diagnosis in use today. The new ICD-10 system has approximately 155,000 codes, with 68,000 diagnosis codes alone. It will enable medical coders to be more accurate -- more data and detail will improve the medica billing and coding process as a whole.
Attn Medical Coders: Additional Medical Coding Training Not Needed Yet
The AAPC's stand is that it would be too soon to get additional medical coding training. With over four years until the compliance deadline, it would be difficult for medical coders to retain all of the new knowledge. As the due date nears, they should enroll in a medical coding program to learn the new medical codes and gain new coding knowledge. Medical coding schools will need to update their courses to be inline with the new changes, but there is no need to make any changes yet -- there's over four years still. Labels: Academy of Professional Coders, Certified Medical Coder, icd-10, Medical Coder, medical coding system
Read Full Article>> ICD-10 Update: What it Means for Your Medical Coding Career
