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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.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The world of medical coding is one of the fastest growing in the medical field, but many would-be medical coders do not realize the full spectrum of employment opportunities. Do you picture a medical coder sitting in a doctor's office all day long, placing diagnostic codes on claims and submitting them to insurance companies for payment? While this is certainly one of the career tracks available to today's medical coders, it is by no means the only one.
Consider some of the other opportunities available to those embarking on a medical coding career:
Laboratories
These days a large percentage of medical testing, from routine blood tests and x-rays to complicated diagnostic tests, are outsourced to private laboratories. Each of these laboratories has a need to submit claims to both government entities and private insurance companies - meaning that they have a need for medical coding personnel.
Insurance Companies
The job of a medical coder is often to ensure that insurance companies pay the claims submitted by medical providers, but there is a flip side to this as well. Each year millions of medical dollars are wasted, either through fraud and abuse or unwarranted tests and unnecessary procedures. As a result, most major health insurance providers have departments dedicated to the detection of fraud and other wasteful practices. Medical coders, with their experience and expertise, are able to ferret out these problematic billings better than most individuals, and are always in high demand by the insurance industry.
Hospitals
It is not just private medical practices who need to submit claims for reimbursement. Hospitals, nursing homes and other large institutions submit thousands of medical claims every single day, and they need to know that those medical claims are coded properly and that they will be paid on time. As a result, many medical coders will find themselves employed by these large institutions, helping hospitals and other providers continue to provide vital care to the community.
No matter where they work, medical coders are a vital part of the health care industry and demand for their services will only continue to grow - especially with the projected increase of medical procedures for today's aging population. There has never been a better time to start a medical coding career - these professional team members can enjoy excellent job security in a variety of employment opportunities nationwide. What could be better? Labels: medical coders, medical codes, medical coding career, medical field, medical practice, medical testing
Read Full Article>> Looking to Start a Medical Coding Career? There are Opportunities Beyond Working in a Traditional Doctor's Office
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Have you seen the commercials for a new career in medical coding where you could make 5 figures or more working from home? As enticing as these commercials and job opportunities sound, it is never that easy. The truth is that there is a strong need for medical coders -- which is what makes this field an ideal career choice. A little hard work and determination can lead to a stable, rewarding career.
The medical profession is very dependent on its billing department. Doctors need to make sure that there are reliable, accurate, and consistent medical coders to maintain the financial aspects of their practices. A professional medical billing department is what holds a medical practice together -- and proper coding procedures are essential.
A medical coder will:
- Have knowledge of the human body and its inner workings
- Know medical law and ethics, diseases, and terminology of medicine
- Review charts and reports from a person's medical record
- Add the corresponding codes for the services provided
- Provide accurate and reliable coding records
A medical biller, on the other hand, is the second person to receive the medical claims after the medical coder has coded them. The biller files the claim with the insurance company. Medical billers must also research all filed claims to see that they are resolved efficiently. Oftentimes, medical billers contact patients regarding outstanding claims, and set up a payment plan if necessary.
If you've decided that you want to venture into the field of medical coding, the first thing to do is research available medical coding programs offered by local colleges or trade schools -- online accredited medical coding schools are often an ideal choice for flexible and convenient learning. You can also talk to people who are currently employed in the field and get advice and tips on starting a new medical coding career. Medical coding offers a rewarding and exciting career opportunity -- with a little work and preparation, you too can become a medical coder. Labels: medical biller, medical coders, medical coding career, medical coding programs
Read Full Article>> Embark on a Medical Coding Career
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
With the ICD-10-CM implementation date on the horizon, there may be questions about this new coding system. Why is it needed? What are the changes? How will it affect my medical coding career? While you’re very familiar with ICD-9-CM, you may wonder what the ICD-10-CM system is all about. Here’s some helpful information:
What is ICD-9-CM? ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, Clinical Modifications) is a set of codes used by physicians, hospitals, and health care professionals to indicate the diagnosis for all patient visits. ICD-9-CM contains approximately 13,000 codes; these codes are mandatory for all health insurance claims in the U.S.
What is ICD-10-CM? ICD-10-CM is the long awaited diagnosis code revision to ICD-9-CM. This coding system contains approximately 68,000 codes. ICD-10 has been in use throughout the world for both morbidity and mortality statistics since 1994. It has been required for reporting mortality statistics in the United States since 1999.
Why is the new ICD-10-CM coding system needed?
• Limited Space – It is running out of numbers to assign for codes and in some cases, new code proposals have not been adopted because of limited space
• Not Specific Enough – Its diagnosis codes do not describe the severity or complexity of the various disease conditions. This has resulted in increasing requests for additional documentation in order to support claims.
• No Exchange of Information – It hinders the exchange of meaningful health care data with health care organizations and professionals around the world.
What are the benefits of adopting ICD-10-CM?
• Expanded injury codes
• Combination of diagnosis/symptom codes
• Addition of sixth and seventh characters
• Laterality (left and right specific where applicable)
• V and E codes incorporated into the main classification
• Addition of ambulatory and managed care encounter information
• Expanded postoperative complication information
How does this affect my medical coding career? Because October 1, 2013 is the drop-dead date for compliance, you will need to be familiar with the new system in advance. This means that you will need to enroll in an ICD-10-CM medical coding course to learn about the new medical coding system – including a comprehensive overview of the changes and impacts on your medical coding career. While there’s still a lot of time to prepare, you need to look ahead toward the upcoming changes. Labels: icd-10, ICD-9, medical coding career, Medical Coding Coder, medical coding system
Read Full Article>> Why the Need for the ICD-10-CM Medical Coding System?
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
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
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
You've decided that you want to enter the medical coding field. Where do you start? Before you jump into learning medical codes, you need to build a solid knowledge base by enrolling in a medical terminology course. It's the perfect place to begin your career training.
Medical terminology is the root of all medical professions. You need to have a thorough understanding of complex medical terms if you are going to succeed as a medical coder. How can you choose the right code for a diagnosis or procedure if you don't recognize medical terms? Knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, root words, and abbreviations will give you a leg up in your medical coding career.
With knowledge of these common and not-so-common terms, you will be able to perform your medical coding job in a fast, precise, and educated manner. And you will ensure that doctors get reimbursed for the right amounts -- a necessary part of your job as a medical coder!
Medical terminology provides a solid foundation for your medical coding career. You will be able to perform effective coding procedures with a thorough knowledge of medical terminology. A medical terminology course will cover: basic word structure, organization of the body, medical specialist and case reports, body systems, major classes or drugs, diagnostic tests and procedures, and more. You will get an overview of the terms associated with these topics.
Lay the groundwork for your medical coding career and enroll in a medical coding course today. Choose a course that enables you to learn using different learning methods and techniques, such as CDs, books and videos, to enhance your educational experience. Benefit from a school that offers medical terminology and medical coding in one convenient package.
You will be prepared to take the next step and get the medical coding training you need. Incorporate your medical terminology training into a lasting medical coding career! You will have the know-how to be an effective medical coder. Labels: Medical Coding, medical coding career, medical terminology
Read Full Article>> Your Medical Coding Career Starts with a Solid Foundation
Thursday, September 25, 2008
If you want to advance in your current medical coding job or start a whole new medical coding career, you can give yourself an advantage by knowing the industry. What are the latest trends? What is the current news in the field? By being informed, you will have the ability to knowledgeably speak about your industry and know what to expect from your medical coding career.
Industry trade magazines – These are perfect sources of information! You can learn a lot about the medical coding industry by subscribing to trade magazines. Stay on top of current news and trends, and gain access to different employment opportunities. Find out what topics are being covered and what is relevant in medical coding today.
Networking – The ideal way to find out about medical coding is to talk to people involved in that industry. Find out about specific medical coding jobs and what issues are currently affecting those jobs. It is an invaluable way to get the information you need firsthand.
Informational interviews – You can find out the “ins and outs” of the industry by talking to actual medical coders and other industry experts. Set up an informational interview with someone working in medical coding. It is the perfect opportunity to speak one-on-one with an individual and ask pointed questions about what it is like being a medical coder.
Online resources – There are unlimited resources at your fingertips! Use the Internet to research medical coding. Do you want to know about job growth? Do you want to determine salaries in specific geographic locations? You can find all of that and more through the use of your computer. You can also subscribe to online newsletters and e-mail updates. Find out what topics are relevant right now in medical coding.
A survey conducted on behalf of The New York Times Job Market found that the majority of employers agree that keeping up-to-date in your field is important for conducting a successful job search. Give yourself the knowledge to build a long-term and rewarding career. By becoming a medical coding expert, you will exude confidence and show that you are dedicated and care about your medical coding career. Enroll your medical coding course at online medical coding schools Labels: Medical Coding, medical coding career, Medical Coding Industry, medical coding job
Read Full Article>> Know the Medical Coding Industry
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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