It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coding Job Description
Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Massachusetts medical practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. There are various 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 rely on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accurate reporting, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims can result in services not being covered, services being paid for at a reduced rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Massachusetts hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in income every year, a proficient medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.
Medical Biller Job Duties
As crucial as the medical coder's job is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Massachusetts healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the coder and biller are the same person within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two separate specialists. Once the coder has performed his or her task, the biller utilizes the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been adjusted by the applicable entity, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:
- Check medical insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
- Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been declined
- Function as an intermediary between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim settlement
- Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
- Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only work for private practices, but also Massachusetts hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in any type of medical facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Coding and Billing Training and Certification
It's imperative that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not required in many cases to attain a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most schools simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The quickest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to earn a certificate, which generally takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for the majority of programs requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely available. When your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you might desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed 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 program, together with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the fast growing Massachusetts medical care industry.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Programs
If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding program may be a good option. They can be particularly attractive to individuals in Massachusetts who anticipate attending school while continuing to work or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online schools are often less expensive than the conventional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's essential to confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a superior education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to establish that any online training you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.