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Medical Coding News and Info |
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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, March 27, 2009
You've completed your medical coding classes; now you want to get certified. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers five different medical coding certification exams -- from Certified Professional Coder to Specialty Credentials. How do you know which credential is the right one for you? Here's a breakdown of the examinations available to enhance your medical coding career:
Certified Professional Coder® (CPC®)
The CPC® exam addresses billing and coding for physician services. If you code in the following places or situations, this is the exam for you:
-Physician office or group
-Hospital-associated physician office or group
-Health system-associated physician office or group
-Home health agency
-Physician group at a university and or in educational setting
-Compliance auditor or forensic auditor of physician claims
-Physician billing service
-Ambulatory surgery center (ASC)
-Outpatient hospital services not reimbursed by Ambulatory Patient Category (APCs) groups
-If you are a consultant, educator, legal counsel, physician or other caregiver seeking credential to demonstrate your command of physician-based medical coding
Certified Professional Coder – Hospital® (CPC-H®)
The CPC-H® exam concentrates on outpatient facility services. If you fulfill the following roles in connection with medical coding, this is the exam for you:
-Billing Ambulatory Patient Category (APCs) groups for facility outpatient services.
- Working in hospital outpatient billing and coding department
-Auditing facility outpatient service billing and coding
-Ambulatory Surgical Center
-Performing utilization review for outpatient services
-If you are a consultant, educator, legal counsel, physician or other care-giver seeking credential to demonstrate your command of medical coding
Certified Professional Coder – Payer® (CPC-P®)
The CPC-P® exam concentrates on coding and billing after it's been submitted to the payer. Take this exam if you are in the following situations:
-Claims manager for a payer (private insurance, Medicare, Medicade, etc.)
-Auditor for a payer
-Utilization review
-Post-billing auditor for a physician group or facility
-Billing service
-If you are a consultant, educator, legal counsel, physician or other care-giver seeking credential to demonstrate your command of medical coding
CIRCC™ (Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder™)
The CIRCC ™ exam was created for individuals who will be working in the complex and specialized areas of interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding and charging. It covers:
-Diagnostic angiography, non-vascular interventions, and percutaneous vascular interventions
-Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and basic coronary arterial interventions
-Sections on ICD-9-CM, basic coding (E&M, modifiers, etc.), anatomy and terminology
Specialty Credentials
AAPC has developed specialty credentials to enable working coders to demonstrate superior levels of expertise in selected specialty disciplines. Whether a coder wishes to show expertise in a specialty they currently work in or wish to move to another specialty, these credentials are designed to prove superior knowledge and skills.
The medical coding certification exams are designed to test your knowledge of medical coding principles and proficiency. Whatever exam you choose, it is the perfect way to take your medical coding career to the next level. Take the next step today - complete your medical coding classes and sign up for a medical coding certification exam today. The right credentials can set you apart! Labels: AAPC, Certified Medical Coder, medical coding certification, medical coding exam
Read Full Article>> How to Determine the Right Medical Coding Credential for You
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
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Did you know that you can start a career in the health care industry without performing any clinical tasks? No patient interaction is required in a medical coding career -- you'll work in a comfortable office setting making sure doctors get paid accurately and on time.
Medical coders read medical reports about a patient's diagnosis and the medical procedures used to treat that patient. They then assign specific codes to that information for the purpose of accurate billing and record keeping.
It's the perfect way to transition into the health care field. It's a behind-the-scenes career that is an integral part of a smooth-running medical office or health care facility. You'll use your knowledge of anatomy and physiology and insurance and billing procedures to apply the right codes and facilitate insurance payments.
Medical coding requires less education than other health care careers. You don't have to go to schools for years and acquire advanced degrees. In a short period of time -- less than two years -- you can find yourself in a respected, health care position. An online medical coding program will make it even easier -- learn when and where you want!
Health care is the largest industry in the U.S. -- with a forecast of 3 million new wage and salary jobs on the horizon between 2006 and 2016. (Source: BLS) An aging and growing population is expected to create a greater need for medical coders to perform accurate record-keeping and billing procedures in hospitals, physician offices, nursing and residential care facilities, and outpatient care centers nationwide.
You don't need to be a doctor or nurse to start a health care career. Medical coding provides an ideal way to step into this ever-growing industry. And it's easier than you think. With the right medical coding training, you can make the transition into a stable, rewarding career that will be needed for years to come.Labels: Certified Medical Coder, Medical Coding, medical coding career, medical coding training
Read Full Article>> Step into the Health Care Industry with Medical Coding Training
Friday, August 1, 2008
According to a 2003 salary survey conducted by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), certified professional coders make nearly 20% more per year than their non-certified counterparts. If that isn't enough of a reason to get certified, here are other reasons:
1. Benefit from a high-level of knowledge
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam measures your ability to navigate codebooks quickly as well as your understanding of the guidelines that govern the coding process. This means that when you pass the exam, you will have an advanced proficiency in coding and high-level of knowledge -- giving you an advantage in the eyes of potential employers.
2. Stay on top off compliance issues
As an AAPC member, you receive information on changes to code sets, new regulations and latest compliance issues through a monthly magazine and e-mails. This helps you keep up with changes in the industry and ensure that your office is compliant with new rules and codes. You are held to the high standards found in the AAPC Code of Ethics.
3. Network with other professionals
Did you know that the AAPC has more than 400 local chapters? Many of these groups meet at least once a month. Network with other certified medical coders and share information, listen to guest speakers and advance your career. There are also workshops and website forums to help you develop leadership and organizational skills, and stay in regular contact with other professionals.
Becoming a certified professional coder can benefit your career -- and your income potential. Get the education you need to complete your education and prepare for the certification exam. Benefit from Allied's "Pass the Certification Exam or Don't Pay" promise and get a headstart on your professional career.Labels: Certified Medical Coder, Medical Coder, medical coding career
Read Full Article>> Certified Professional Coders Make More Money
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