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.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Medical coding and billing are vital parts of the medical billing process. From the time a doctor sees a patient to when the paperwork is forwarded to the insurance company, there are important steps that need to be performed.
What is Medical Coding and Medical Billing?
Medical coding includes the process of using specific codes to identify medical procedures and services for private billing and health insurance companies. A medical coder reads medical documentation, such as a medical chart, and assigns the right code based on their coding knowledge. The codes are entered into a form on their computer system.
Once the procedure and service codes are determined, the medical biller transmits the claim to the insurance company for payment.
Medical billing includes the process of submitting and following up on claims to insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered by a health care provider. A medical biller ensures that the patient and health insurance company are properly billed for all procedures. Approved claims are reimbursed, while rejected claims are researched and amended.
Medical billers and medical coders ensure that the billing cycle is smooth - from patients being billed the correct amount to doctors getting paid. They are both essential to the financial well-being of an organization and the health care industry as a whole.Labels: medical biller, medical billing and coding, Medical Coder, medical coding and billing
Read Full Article>> What is Medical Coding and Billing?
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, December 31, 2008
It's no secret that the medical field is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S.According to the American Associate of Professional Coders (AAPC), careers in medical coding have ample room for professional growth, salary advancement, and specialty fields to explore. The AAPC published its annual survey on September 25, 2008 and some of the results even surprised Reed Pew, CEO and President of AAPC.
This year's survey was completed by over 12,000 medical coders; more coders than ever and conducted via the internet during July and August. A striking 89% of survey respondents have a CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, or CPC-A credential. While CPC's made up 82 percent of the survey's respondents, members also exhibited other certifications. Those with specialty certification include three percent of those surveyed. Other certifications held by respondents include CCS, RHIT, CTR, among others.
According to this year's survey.
- Average salaries have increased more than 11% compared to the 2007 survey!
- The average salary for a credentialed coder is 18% higher compared to a non-credentialed coder!
- 60% of coders work less than 40 hours a week!
- The average range for medical coders in general is $39,000 to $46,500!
The survey indicated that compensation differences result from multiple influences such as employer, training, work sites, complexity of the coding being dones, experience, and geographical location. Let's take a closer look at some of those factors that can includence the average Medical Coder's salary:
Experience | Work Setting | | No experience - $30,600 | Physican Practice - $39,400 | | 2 years experience - $34,800 | Hospital - $44,700 | | 4 years experience - $37,700 | Government Facility - $46,500 | | 8 years experience - $42,400 | Payers - $52,500 |
Click here for Medical Career Comparison: Medical Transcription vs. Medical Coding
Speciality | Work Setting | | Family Practice - $40,850 | Atlantic - $52,599 | New England/NY - $46,375 | | General Surgery - $43,500 | Pacific - $49,688 | Mountain/Plain - $40,876 | | Plastic Surgery - $47,200 | South - $41,998 | Mid-Atlantic - $39,970 | | Neuropsychiatry - $62,500 | Payers - $52,500 | South West - $39,794 |
This powerful information gathered from the AAPC annual survey supports the opportunity for a successful and rewarding career in the Medical Coding Field. There are generous opportunities for advancement and numerous speciality fields to enter. It's eveident that NOW is the time to start preparing yourself for a stable career in medical coding.
Knowing that you can enter a secure profession now in a field that promises sustained and dramatic growth means peace of mind for the studnet, their family, and their future!
Labels: medical career, Medical Coder, Medical Coding, medical transcriber
Read Full Article>> Medical field is one of the fatest growing industries in the U.S.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Here are 10 reasons to enroll in a medical coding course and prepare for your new career:
1) Employment is expected to grow faster than average in the next decade.
2) Individuals with formal medical coding training will be in high demand.
3) As a medical coder, you work in a comfortable office environment.
4) You play an important role in the health care industry without having to perform clinical tasks.
5) Most of your work is administrative in nature and conducted on a computer.
6) Medical coding allows you to be detail oriented, organized and efficient.
7) Medical coding is a stable career opportunity that enables you to work a full or variable schedule.
8) You can work in a number of exciting health care facilities – hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing care facilities, home health care services, and more.
9) You can take your career to the next level and become a certified medical coder.
10) You can start a challenging and rewarding career that is needed nationwide.Labels: Medical Coder, medical coding career, Medical Coding Coder
Read Full Article>> 10 Reasons to Start a Medical Coding Career
Friday, August 15, 2008
Medical coders play a vital part in the medical billing process. Without them, insurance companies would not exist and doctors would not get reimbursed for their services.
Here's one scenario:
- A patient visits a doctor's office
- The doctor examines the patient
- The doctor schedules a test to make a proper diagnosis
- Based on the results of the test or examination, the doctor schedules a procedure
- There is a follow-up visit to check on the patient's progress
- The diagnosis requires additional follow ups or visits to monitor patient's progress
All of the time spent with the patient, including performing tests, making a diagnosis and scheduling procedures, needs to be accounted for. That is where special medical codes come in. These codes help medical offices and insurance companies record and track all medical activity.
By assigning the proper codes, doctors can get reimbursed for their services. If an incorrect code is assigned to a test, diagnosis, or procedure, then it disrupts the payment process and delays payment from the insurance company.
Medical coding is essential to the health care industry. Medical coders act as important liaisons between doctors and insurance companies. Without their services, it would be difficult to stay on top of medical billing and get doctors adequately paid. As a result, each medical facility has its own coders to keep the billing process moving forward.Labels: insurance medical coder, Medical Coder, Medical Coding, medical coding career
Read Full Article>> Why Are Medical Coders Necessary?
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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