Medical
Coding Career Introduction
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Medical coding is the process of
assigning standardized numerical codes to patient health care
charts. This coded information is used to ensure that insurance
companies, government organizations, such as Medicare, and
patients alike all receive accurate billing statements for
health services performed. Medical coders perform the work
of converting diagnostic and procedural information into simplified
numerical codes that can be electronically processed for payment
by third party payers - Insurance companies and Medicare,
for example.
The process of medical coding requires
an attention to detail to ensure accuracy of billing records.
Because of the large dollar amounts involved, coding is a
highly regulated and tightly supervised activity. Coding is
also subject to frequent and rigorous audits to ensure accuracy
in the billing process as there are literally billions of
dollars at stake. In many ways, medical coding is a much more
scrutinized activity than, say the transcription of patient
records.
Medical Coding work is typically
performed in hospitals or clinics, although we are beginning
to see some of these coding and billing jobs migrate to work
at home positions. Medical coders generally begin with a transcribed
patient health record and transform procedures and diagnoses
etc. into numerical codes. This takes a great deal of expertise
in medical terminology and a fluency with relevant codes.
Of course this requires formal training. Billing specialists
takes the coded output produced by the coder and submit it
for reimbursement to insurance companies, Medicare, or directly
to the patient. Many times a single person will perform both
the coding and the billing functions. This is particularly
true in smaller clinical settings. In large, high volume health
care operations, coding and billing are often organized into
separate functional areas. Of the two, coding specialists
generally enjoy a higher income and require more specialized
training.
Medical coders are in high demand
and the opportunities in the career field of health records
documentation are outstanding. Coders work in hospitals and
clinics and for other health care providers across the country.
They play a vital role in the health information management
cycle.
Increasingly, the health information
management industry is taking advantage of the rapid advances
in online coding technology. More and more, the work is performed
online over the internet. As online coding catches on as a
concept, we will likely see many of the positions that have
traditionally been offered exclusively in hospitals and other
health care settings begin to migrate to home based jobs.
The work at home employee model has worked very well for the
transcription industry and will also likely begin to gain
traction in the coding industry as online coding becomes more
prevalent.
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