It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coding Job Summary
Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Illinois private practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to review the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies used. 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 depend on information from sources such as physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government rules that influence coding also. Incorrectly coded claims may result in services not being covered, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Illinois physicians and medical facilities multiple thousands of dollars in income every year, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.
Medical Biller Job Summary
As essential as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Illinois healthcare organizations and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. In many cases the biller and coder are the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. Once the coder has completed his or her task, the biller uses the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the applicable entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles or additional out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical biller can also do any of the following:
- Check medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
- Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been denied
- Work as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for proper claim settlement
- Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
- Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Illinois emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They may work in every kind of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated from billing third party payers and patients.
Medical Biller and Coder Education and Certification
It's important that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in most cases to earn a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). The majority of schools simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (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 extensive education, which for the majority of colleges requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely available. After your training has been completed, although not required in most states, you might wish to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an effective way for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. Just 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).
Graduating from an accredited medical billing and coding program, in conjunction with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the fast growing Illinois healthcare industry.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Classes
If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then enrolling in an medical billing and coding online course may be a great alternative. They can be especially appealing to individuals in Illinois who anticipate going to school while still working or have additional obligations that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online colleges are frequently cheaper than the standard classroom alternatives. Costs for such items 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 imperative to confirm that any online school you choose is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to verify that any online training you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this mode of learning, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.