It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coder Job Summary
Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Arkansas private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. There are several codes that are used in the conversion, including:
- CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology).
- ICD codes (International Classification of Diseases).
- HCPCS codes (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding).
Medical coders depend on information from sources such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all government and private payer rules that impact coding as well. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Arkansas hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in earnings every year, a good medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.
Medical Billing Job Summary
As crucial as the medical coder's job is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Arkansas medical organizations and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the biller and coder are the same individual within a medical facility, but they can also be 2 independent professionals. After the coder has completed his or her job, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:
- Verify medical insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
- Check on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been denied
- Work as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim resolution
- Create and manage Accounts Receivables reports
- Produce and handle unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only work for family practices, but also Arkansas emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They may practice in every kind of medical facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Coder and Biller Training and Certification
It's important that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not required in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the program you select should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). The majority of schools just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The fastest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which usually takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for almost all schools calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not abundantly available. Once your training has been concluded, although not mandated in the majority of states, you may want to attain a professional certification. Certification is an excellent method for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. Some of the organizations that offer certifications are:
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
- Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC).
- The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS).
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Graduating from an accredited medical coding and billing course, along with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing Arkansas healthcare industry.
Medical Billing and Coding Online Schools
If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then selecting an medical billing and coding online course may be a great alternative. They can be particularly attractive to those in Arkansas who anticipate attending school while continuing to work or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an additional benefit, online schools are frequently less expensive than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's essential to verify that the online school you enroll in is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to check that any online training you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to apply yourself to this style of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.