Job Facts

You can learn on your own time with-out disturbing your busy schedule/job.

Click this link to see AAPC Salary Survey-Average Median Salary is $66,504

https://www.aapc.com/resources/research/medical-coding-salary-survey/

Job Facts

Prospective Medical Coders/Billers who complete medical coding and billing training enjoy good job prospects. There is a growing demand for medical coders and billers. Students can greatly increase their chances of employment by getting certified.

1. Accuracy is essential in medical coding and billing jobs.
2. Coding/Billing specialists must pay close attention to detail.
3. Coding/Billing specialists receive and complete medical claim forms and answer inquiries from doctors, patients and insurance companies.
4. Coding/Billing specialists analyze medical records to identify medical information such as diagnoses, prognoses and dates of treatment from patient records.
5. Specialized knowledge from medical billing schools includes medical terminology, diagnostic and procedural coding, and legal requirements for release of medical information.
6. Coding/Billing specialists work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, and many other areas of the healthcare field.
7. Average work hours will be 40 hours per week. Sometimes you may need to work more to process claims, as some facilities are open 24 hours/day.

Because of the growing number of patient visits and claims, careers in the medical coding and billing are expected to grow rapidly.

You must have these qualifications:

1. Pay attention to minute details
2. Interpret, analyze, and negotiate insurance contracts.
3. Basic computer skills
4. Passion to learn
5. Basic mathematics to calculate payments, charges, etc.
6. Love for medical terms
7. Ability to work for 4-8 hours per day in front of computers.
8. Maintain the privacy and security of Protected Health Information
9. Good organizational skills
10. Excellent professional skills, as you will be interacting with patients, physicians, and payers to clarify their queries

You have chosen the Healthcare Industry Efficient and effective education and knowledge of HIPAA is a must to be a successful coder/biller.

Healthcare is one of the fastest growing professions in the country

Is it necessary to get certified?

Certification is not required for the job. However, certification may help you get better pay. On average, certified professionals earn $49,000. Uncertified professionals earn around $37,000.

There are so many codes. Do I need to memorize them all?

No need to memorize codes. In fact, relying on memory for the codes leads to errors. 100% accuracy is must for coding and billing. Always refer to coding manuals and guidelines.

Job Profile of Medical Coder.

1. Review medical records and Superbill
2. Assign the medical codes following American Medical Association and payer guidelines
3. Check for the medical necessity.
4. Ensure that codes reflect documentation.
5. Discuss coding with Physicians/ assistant/ nurses.
6. Provide feedback to the office manager/physician.
7. Update knowledge of payer guidelines
8. Ensure HIPAA compliance.
9. Job Profile of Medical Biller.
10. Insurance verification to ensure that patients are eligible to receive services
11. Get authorization from payers for diagnostic and surgical procedures.
12. Process claims
13. Payment posting, generate patient statements and mailing.
14. Follow up/Collect balance amounts/unpaid/underpaid amounts
15. Denial management etc.
16. Day-to-day duties may differ from facility to facility depending up on the operational strategy.

*** There will be some degree of stress on the job as the process needs accuracy and quality work.

Like any other job professional who works in front of a computer monitor, care must be taken to avoid discomfort.

Coders/Billers say that the best part of the job is “To see that claims are paid what they code and bill. Managing the revenue cycle effectively.

Patients appreciate the coders/billers when their claims get paid and they are thankful for support you provide.

Worst part of the job is

“When claim gets denied, underpaid. Hanging on the phone to get agent.

Telling the patients that they don’t have coverage for the services, or that they have high deductibles.”