The Cycle Medical Coding and Billing

How Medical Coding and Billing Works

Medical Coding and Billing refers to the healthcare field where a patient’s data is entered and submitted by a billing professional to health insurance companies. The data is then processed, and a healthcare provider receives payment.

Many codes must be processed, whether they be for medications, diagnoses, and multiple symptoms patients have.

Medical Coding Vs. Medical Billing

Though one person may be involved for medical coding and medical billing, they are not the same thing. A medical biller works to ensure that all invoices received are paid promptly. The medical coder, on the other hand must sort between and differentiate the coding used on the claims. The coder does this by looking up the patient’s medical record and checking to see if the work was completed. The next step is for the coder to assign various codes to differentiate between the tasks that were done. Finally, the medical biller is able to send in the claim for the correct insurance agency to pay. Recently, the task of a medical coder and medical biller is assigned to one person in this day and age.

Education Required To Be a Medical Coder

Certification is offered by the NHA in New Jersey through the Certified Patient Care Technician Program. It’s required for professionals to receive 200 hours of training through classes in order for them to be prepared for the job at hand.

Medical coders in this day and age must be familiar with the terminology that is used on a daily basis in today’s healthcare field. With code books, medical coders are able to give the correct medical codes that will allow them to document the procedure’s service levels. While you don’t need a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree to obtain a career in medical coding, a background in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology will be of immense help. Anyone serious about pursuing a medical coding career should study and pass the CPC (Certified Professional Coders) exam.

Necessary Qualities and Skills

With healthcare being a complex workplace, it can be quite difficult to keep track of all the information involved in a medical coding and billing career. Many employers will only seek those that are certified to handle the many tasks involved such as effective communication, organization, keen math skills, computer software skills, as well as an ability to adapt quickly to a new environment.