What is medical coding

Medical codes are used to describe diagnoses and treatments, determine costs, and reimbursements, and relate one disease or drug to another. Patients can use medical codes to learn more about their diagnosis, the services their practitioner has provided, figure out how much their providers were paid, or even to double-check their billing from either their providers or their insurance or payer. Learn more about these medical coding systems. Tetra Images / Getty Images Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are developed by the American Medical Association to describe every type of service (i.e., tests, surgeries, evaluations, and any other medical procedures) a healthcare provider provides to a patient. They are Patients may be interested in looking at CPT codes to better understand the services their doctor provided, to double-check their bills, or negotiate lower pricing for their healthcare services. HCPCS Codes Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes are used by Medicare and are based on CPT codes. Patients who use Medicare, especially those who have needed ambulance services or other devices outside of the doctor's office, may want to learn more about HCPCS codes. There are two levels: • Level I HCPCS codes mirror CPT codes and are used to identify medical services and procedures ordered by physicians or other licensed professionals. • Level II HCPCS codes are alphanumeric and identify non-physician services like ambulance rides, wheelchairs, walker...

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Medical records are moving online and medical billers are needed to ensure healthcare providers are reimbursed timely and accurately. Did you know that the number of healthcare jobs available in the United States is expected to grow by Even if directly caring for patients is not your calling, you can still work in the healthcare industry by pursuing a Are you interested in learning more about the importance of medical insurance billing and coding in the healthcare industry and how you can become a medical coder? We’ve created a complete guide to help you understand. Keep reading to learn more. What Is Medical Billing and Coding? People who work in the The type of facilities that Medical billing and coding specialists are critical to the healthcare industry. What Does a Medical Coding Specialist Do? A medical coding specialist plays an important role in each aspect of the healthcare industry. A medical coder is responsible for organizing all of the data that is healthcare-related and is also responsible for ensuring that the data is accessible for medical professionals at a healthcare facility. Medical coders spend the majority of their time working with electronic data; however, there are still some medical offices that use paper filing. The most important part of a medical coder’s job is to ensure that all of the coding and billing information is accurate and correct. Having data that is accurate is required to ensure that patients are receiving the proper type of care an...

Medical coding is the transformation of healthcare diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes. The diagnoses and procedure codes are taken from medical record documentation, such as transcription of physician's notes, laboratory and radiologic results, etc. Medical coding professionals help ensure the codes are applied correctly during the medical billing process, which includes abstracting the information from documentation, assigning the appropriate codes, and creating a claim to be paid by insurance carriers. Medical coding happens every time you see a healthcare provider. The healthcare provider reviews your complaint and medical history, makes an expert assessment of what’s wrong and how to treat you, and documents your visit. That documentation is not only the patient’s ongoing record, it’s how the healthcare provider gets paid. Medical codes translate that documentation into standardized codes that tell payers the following: • Patient's diagnosis • Medical necessity for treatments, services, or supplies the patient received • Treatments, services, and supplies provided to the patient • Any unusual circumstances or medical condition that affected those treatments and services Like a musician who interprets the written music and uses their instrument to produce what's intended, Medical Coding requires the ability to understand anatomy, physiology, and details of the services, and the rules and regulations of the pa...

A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into running a healthcare organization. While doctors and nurses help patients on the front lines, medical coders work in the wings to keep revenue flowing. Medical coders transcribe health and patient data into a universal code. They then use that code to create bills for patients, governmental agencies and health insurance companies. Medical coding is a technical, detail-oriented job. Read on to learn how to become a medical coder. Degree Finder What Is a Medical Coder? Role and Responsibilities The medical coding process begins when a patient visits a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic. Medical coders receive data about the services performed during a patient’s visit. It’s up to the medical coders to transcribe each service, diagnosis, medication and procedure into a standardized code. Work Environment Medical coders can find work in a variety of professional settings. Industries with the highest levels of employment in medical coding are general and surgical hospitals, physicians’ offices, management offices, accounting and nursing facilities. The highest-paying employers for medical coders include insurance carriers, scientific research and development labs, mail-order centers and technical consulting service providers, according to the How to Become a Medical Coder Medical coding requires a substantial level of professional training. Keeping up to date with continuing education services and certifications can also help you make t...

Train for Your Career in Medical Billing and Coding A new career in medical billing and coding is only months away when you train with AAPC, the world’s leading training and credentialing organization in the business of healthcare — with more than 200,000 members achieving personal and professional success. Take your first step toward a brighter future and begin reaping the rewards of this career path. I very much enjoy what I do because it is ever-changing. I'm constantly learning and growing as a coder and person. This career path has afforded me the ability to provide well for my family and have flexibility to work at home when I want. I love what I do and I'm very grateful. –Beth Mosley Pavlica I love the connection. The connection with the providers, always willing to teach me. With the patients, making sure the financial portion of their procedures goes seamlessly and is one less thing they have to worry about. With my chapter members, learning from veterans and helping newbies. Finally, the connection with my teammates, helping each other when we’re stuck on a difficult case. I truly love my job! –Cindy Briggs This career path allows me the ability to be an advocate for physicians, providers, insurance companies, and most importantly the patients. If I do my job correctly, whether it is through coding, education, billing, or writing an appeal, the proper reimbursement will be made. I know I’ve been able to help the medical community succeed or make a patient’s life ...