Transforming healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services and equipment into universal alphanumeric codes is what is known as medical coding. The main source of the diagnoses and procedure codes is the medical record documentation which includes the physician’s notes, laboratory and radiologic results. The correct diagnoses and procedures for medical coding could be obtained from the medical documentation.
The medical coders’ main role is to ensure that the codes are used in the right way in the process of medical billing. Medical billing encompasses abstraction of information from documentation, assigning the correct codes and making of claims to be deposited with insurance carriers.
The work of reviewing clinical statements and assigning codes belongs to the medical coder. Processing and following up with the claims sent to the health insurance provider is the role of the medical biller. A medical biller could act as a medical coder. Both the medical coder and medical biller work together to ensure that the invoices are paid for.
Both the medical billers and medical coders must work together to ensure that the claims sent to the insurance companies are paid. For the medical coder to prepare the right codes they must be provided with the full accounts’ of the patients’ encounter with the physicians.
Medical coding is a profession like any other since training is required for one to become a fully fledged medical coder. Understanding of the anatomy and medical terminologies is very basic for every medical coder. Becoming familiar with the codebook resources is also paramount for one to become a medical coder.
The medical coders could as well re-file appeals of denied claims. The healthcare providers require being educated on the right coding system, and the medical coders will be happy to do it. The medical coders could be allowed to speak on behalf of the health providers and the patients especially on the issues of coverage.
If you want to become a medical coder, you will do well if you could get a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. However your papers are not proof of your proficiency. Some of the most important areas that a medical coder should be well versed in includes anatomy, physiology, and medical terminologies. If you want to be taken seriously as a coder you need to complete a medical coding course of study and pass the exams. You would increase your chances of being employed if you have a certificate that shows you have completed a course in medical coding.
You could be employed as a certified ambulance medical coder.
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