It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Coder Job Summary
Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Wisconsin private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to review the treatment records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. 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 rely 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 accurate reporting, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding as well. Improperly coded claims can lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Wisconsin physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a reliable medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare team. They can work in every type of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.
Medical Billing Job Functions
As essential as the medical coder's job is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Wisconsin healthcare organizations and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Often the biller and coder can be the same person within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 individual professionals. After the coder has carried out her or his job, the biller uses the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been adjusted by the applicable entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a routine 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
- Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been denied
- Work as an intermediate between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim resolution
- Generate and control Accounts Receivables reports
- Create and handle unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Wisconsin hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in any type of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.
Medical Coder and Biller Training 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. Although it is not a requirement in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most programs just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The most expedient way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to earn a certificate, which generally takes about one year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for most programs calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. After your education has been completed, although not mandated in most states, you might want to earn a professional certification. Certification is a great method 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 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 coding and billing course, together with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the fast growing Wisconsin healthcare field.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Schools
If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding college might be a great option. They can be especially attractive to individuals in Wisconsin who plan on attending school while still working or have other responsibilities that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online colleges are in many cases cheaper than the conventional classroom alternatives. Costs for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's important to verify that any online program you choose is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be 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 disciplined enough to apply yourself to this type of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.