| Boise | Boise City | Caldwell |
| Coeur D Alene | Coeur Dalene | Eagle |
| Idaho Falls | Kuna | Lewiston |
| Meridian | Moscow | Nampa |
| Pocatello | Post Falls | Rexburg |
| Twin Falls |
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coder Job Summary
Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Idaho medical practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. There are multiple 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 use information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all government and private payer rules that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims may lead to services not being covered, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Idaho doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in earnings every year, a proficient medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.
Medical Billing Job Duties
As vital as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Idaho healthcare facilities and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the biller and coder can be the same person within a medical facility, but they can also be two individual professionals. When the coder has performed her or his job, the biller utilizes the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the applicable entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:
- Confirm health insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
- Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been denied
- Function as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
- Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
- Generate and manage unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Idaho hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may practice in every type of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Coder and Biller Training and Certification
It's imperative that you obtain your education from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not a requirement in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most schools simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The fastest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to attain a certificate, which usually takes about one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for almost all programs calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly offered. After your training has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you may want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the field to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. Some of the organizations that provide 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).
Completing an accredited medical billing and coding course, combined with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the rapid growing Idaho medical care field.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Classes
If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding college might be a great option. They can be particularly appealing to those in Idaho who plan on going to school while still working or have additional responsibilities that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online programs are often less expensive than the conventional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's important to confirm that the online school you choose is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to verify that any online training you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to commit yourself to this style of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.