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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 West Virginia private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to review the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. There are several codes that are utilized 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 such as nursing and physician 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 functioning knowledge of all private payer and government rules that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost West Virginia doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in earnings each year, a proficient medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any type of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.
Medical Billing Job Duties
As important as the medical coder's role is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to West Virginia healthcare organizations and are practically responsible for keeping them in business. Sometimes the coder and biller may be the same man or woman within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 individual specialists. When the coder has completed his or her duty, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been paid by the appropriate organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk might also do any of the following:
- Check health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
- Check on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
- Function as an intermediary between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim settlement
- Produce and manage Accounts Receivables reports
- Create and manage unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also West Virginia hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in any kind of healthcare facility that depends on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Biller and Coder Training and Certification
It's essential that you get your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. While it is not required in most cases to attain a professional certification, the program you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of schools only require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The fastest way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which generally takes about a year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for almost all schools requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. Once your training has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you may desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their career. 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).
Graduating from an accredited medical coding and billing program, together with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new career and succeed in the rapid growing West Virginia healthcare industry.
Online Medical Biller and Coder Programs
If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding school might be a good option. They can be particularly attractive to those in West Virginia who plan on going to school while continuing to work or have other obligations that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an additional benefit, online schools are frequently less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's imperative to establish that any online course you choose is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to check that any online instruction you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.