It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coding Job Description
Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for New York medical practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to review the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies 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 depend on information from sources including physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. 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 influence coding as well. Improperly coded claims may lead to services not being covered, services being paid for at a reduced rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost New York doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a good medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.
Medical Billing Job Description
As crucial as the medical coder's job is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to New York healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Sometimes the coder and biller may be the same person within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two separate specialists. Once the coder has performed his or her duty, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the applicable entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:
- Verify medical insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
- Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been denied
- Act as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for proper claim settlement
- Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
- Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also New York hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may practice in any type of medical facility that depends on the incomes generated by billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Billing and Coding Programs and Certification
It's imperative that you get your education from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not required in most cases to earn a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of schools simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The quickest way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to earn a certificate, which usually takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive 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 education has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you may wish to earn a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. Just some of the organizations that make available 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 program, in conjunction with attaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new vocation and succeed in the rapid growing New York healthcare industry.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Colleges
If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then enrolling in an medical billing and coding online course may be a good option. They can be particularly attractive to individuals in New York who plan on attending school while still working or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online programs are in many cases cheaper than the traditional classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's essential to verify that any online program you choose is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to check that any online instruction 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 apply yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.