It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coding Job Duties
Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Oklahoma private 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 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 rely on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accurate reporting, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer rules that affect coding as well. Inaccurately 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 in fact cost Oklahoma doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in income annually, a proficient medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for professional medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.
Medical Biller Job Summary
As vital as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Oklahoma healthcare organizations and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the coder and biller are the same person within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 independent specialists. Once the coder has completed his or her task, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical biller may also do any of the following:
- Confirm health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
- Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
- Act as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim settlement
- Create and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
- Create and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billing clerks not only work for family practices, but also Oklahoma hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may work in any kind of healthcare facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Coding and Billing Education and Certification
It's imperative that you obtain your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Even though it is not required in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you select 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 apply. The quickest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which generally takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for almost all colleges calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not abundantly offered. When your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you might desire to earn a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. A few 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).
Completing an accredited medical billing and coding course, in conjunction with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the fast growing Oklahoma medical care industry.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Colleges
If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding school might be a great alternative. They can be especially attractive to students in Oklahoma who plan on attending school while still working or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online colleges are in many cases cheaper than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online programs are reputable. For that reason it's essential to confirm that any online course you select is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online classes 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 type of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.