Medical Coding

Medical Coding

Medical coding is an essential part in every medical establishment. People trained in medical coding are called medical coders. They act as a liaison between medical professionals who perform medical procedures and the insurance companies that pay for these services.

Medical coders use certain codes that are assigned to a patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, procedures and clinical tests. These codes make all of these uniform throughout the medical industry so that there is no mistaking what medical services were performed. The codes are converted to an ICD-9-CM (international classification of diseases manual) code or a CPT (current procedural terminology) code. Medical coders receive extensive training to accurately convert diseases and procedures to the correct codes.

Many people assume that coding and billing are the same thing but they are very different functions. Coders convert medical services to codes that billers use to bill insurance companies. Many coders are also training in medical billing.

Medical coders are essential to medical professionals because they make sure the professional is paid for services rendered.

Medical Coding Programs and Degrees

Vocational and specialized schools that offer training in medical coding can offer a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Training is also by colleges and universities on campus or online.

You must decide how much training you need personally by determining your present situation and future goals. Questions to ask are:

• Will you be able to devote enough time to the program you choose?
• What other obligations do you have?
• Do you plan to make the top salary offered to medical coders?
• How many years do you plan to spend in this career?
• Do you need financial aid for your courses? How much?

The answer to these questions will help you determine if a certificate program will be enough for you to get started in an entry-level position. If you have plans to become a manager you will need a bachelor’s degree. You could decide to just get started with an associate’s degree and continue your education while gaining experience as a medical coder.

The basic requirements to become a medical coder are a high school diploma or an equivalent and an accredited course in medical coding.

Certificate or Diploma

A certificate or diploma program can take nine to twelve months to complete. You can access this program through career colleges that specialize in medical training careers or community colleges. Costs range from $600 to $1,200 for tuition. Textbooks are in the price range of $100 per book.

Associate’s Degree

It generally takes two years to complete an associate’s degree if you attend full-time. The credits you earn to complete your degree can be used toward a bachelor’s degree if you decide later to further your education. You may pay from $2,500 to $4,000 for tuition.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree includes a four-year program in health information management and health care administration besides medical coding training. This degree offers many career options including management. Cost is dependent on whether you attend a college campus as a full-time student or if you take classes online.

Some courses offered in a medical coding program can include:

• Medical terminology
• Human anatomy
• Medical law
• Ethics
• Medical coding and billing
• Administrative techniques
• Microsoft Office
• Mathematics
• Accounting

Other courses may be added by your particular school to their medical coding program.

If other obligations of job and family limit your available time to complete a program an online course may prove to be the best choice for you. There are many accredited colleges, trade schools, and universities offering excellent training in medical coding.

An online program eliminates the need to commute to classes. They are also flexible enough so that you can complete assignments during times that are convenient for you. There are many schools offering medical coding training online. Be sure the school you choose is accredited before deciding to attend.

Medical Coding Certification

You can go on to be a certified medical coder after completing you training and working as a coder for at least two years. Certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders proves to future employers that you have reached a level of knowledge and expertise in medical coding that makes you a prime candidate for job opportunities. You can earn several different certifications to broaden your opportunities.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

You must pass an examination that consists of testing your knowledge of CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS (supply and procedures) codes. You must have two years of coding experience, renew your certification yearly, and maintain CEU (college credits) requirements.

Certified Professional Coder – Hospital (CPC-H)

This certification has the same requirements as a CPC and allows the CPC to work in a hospital setting.

Certified Professional Coder – Payer (CPC-P)

Certification as a CPC-P demonstrates a medical coder’s skills and knowledge to work in the payer environment which includes benefits, claims reviews, provider relations, management, and customer service. Two years of coding experience in CPT, ICD-9-CM, or HCPCS is required.

Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P)

Coders certified as CCS-Ps are qualified to work in physician offices, specialty centers, multi-specialty centers, and group practices. CCS-Ps are knowledgeable in data integrity and documentation of health information. Renewal of certification and continuing college credits are required.

Career Opportunities

Medical coders work in the back office of medical facilities. Their work falls under the administrative portion of a practice or hospital specifically in the billing department. Medical coders have specialized skills and knowledge to complete, review, and submit claims for services rendered by physicians and other health professionals to billers who submit the claims to insurance companies.

The medical coder assigns codes to each procedure, diagnosis, and supplies used in treating the patient.

Medical coders generally work well with numbers and are detail-oriented. Medical coders have very little to no contact with patients. However, they need interpersonal skills to deal with physicians to verify information and insurance company personnel. They are comfortable with computers and software.

Most medical coders work full-time, 40-hour work weeks. You may work a traditional nine to five job, Monday – Friday work schedule depending on where you work. If you work in a facility that’s open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week you may have the choice of working days, evenings, or nights.

Other job opportunities for medical coders include home health care agencies, consulting firms, law firms, medical billing and coding services, and insurance companies.

Working from Home

Many people pursue medical coding because many training programs promote the idea of working from home as a medical coder. Working from home is a very attractive idea to those who desire to work from home and make a good salary.

It is possible to work from home as a medical coder but you will need years of experience and a good reputation. Your employer would need to be able to trust your ability to code accurately. Any mistakes delays revenue into the practice.

There are also issues of confidentiality. You will need to remove medical records from the premises or access them from your computer at home. If you don’t have a computer dedicated to your work then family members have access to patients’ records.

If you are considering a career in medical coding and expecting to work from home you need to realize that you will need a lot of experience for an employer to even consider letting you work from home.

Medical Coding Salaries

Most future coders enter the field because it offers a good beginning salary. The American Academy of Professional Coders report that certified medical coders earn approximately $39,000 per year. Salaries.com reports a salary range of $32,717 to $55,254 with a median salary range from $37,902 – $49,698 per year. Salaries are determined by education, experience, and location.