It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coder Job Duties
Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Texas private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to examine the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. 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 use information from sources such as physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government rules that affect coding as well. Incorrectly coded claims can lead to services not being covered, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Texas hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in revenue annually, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.
Medical Biller Job Duties
As crucial as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Texas healthcare organizations and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the coder and biller may be the same person within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. When the coder has carried out her or his task, the biller uses the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After being paid by the appropriate organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:
- Check medical insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
- Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
- Function as an intermediary between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
- Create and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
- Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billing clerks not only are employed by private practices, but also Texas hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They can practice in every kind of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated by billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Biller and Coder Training and Certification
It's important that you obtain your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most colleges only 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 earn a certificate, which generally takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for the majority of schools calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly available. After your education has been completed, although not required in most states, you might desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great means for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. A few of the organizations that offer 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 attaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing Texas healthcare field.
Online Medical Biller and Coder Programs
If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then selecting an online medical billing and coding college may be an excellent option. They can be especially appealing to individuals in Texas who anticipate going to school while still working or have other obligations that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online schools are often cheaper than the conventional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's important to establish that any online program you choose is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to establish that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to apply yourself to this type of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.