Medical billing and coding come under the broader classification of jobs related to Medical Health Information; they are responsible for maintaining the information records of a hospital or clinic. A medical biller is responsible for maintaining billing and payment-related records of a hospital, whereas a coder is responsible for classifying the service provided to the patients using a set of prepublished codes. This how-to guide talks about the job description for medical billers and coders, as well as about the medical billing and coding certification required to become one.
Medical Coding Job Description
The job of a medical coder is to use prepublished codes to identify the medical procedures and services that have been used by a patient or client. These codes allow the patient’s insurance company to reimburse the patient if they are covered for the ailment or disease for which they have been treated. The medical coder reads the patient’s medical file and history to understand their treatment, and to find out the code that applies to them.
Medical Billing Job Description
As the name suggests, a biller is responsible for the payment and billing process of a clinic or hospital. However, they do more than just that. One of their important responsibilities is to transmit a patient’s insurance claim to the insurance company for its payment. They also collect delinquent accounts by making other payment arrangements with patients. In some cases, they also have to follow-up a payment through small claims courts or collection agencies.
Medical Billing and Coding Programs and Certifications
A number of colleges offer certification in medical billing and coding. Such certification programs last from 9 months to 1 year, and can be taken part-time. For coders, it is important to join a program that is accredited by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) is the largest organization that provides credentials to medical billers. Another medical organization that provides accreditation to both billing and coding programs is the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). So before you apply for a program of medical billing and coding certification, it is important to check that they are accredited with one of these organizations.
Programs for both medical billing and coding certification have few liberal arts requirements. Rather, they have courses that cover training to become a good medical biller and coder—these include courses for Insurance Claims Procedures, Medical Terminology and Physiology. Coding programs will have Medical Coding courses, which includes knowledge about the types of codes that are used to classify ailments, diseases and injuries. Medical billing programs will have additional courses for accounting and how to prepare bills and receipts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report from year 2008, the median average annual salary of a medical biller or coder was about $30,610. The report also said that this field would require more jobs in the near future. A medical billing and coding certification is a very wise choice because it should help you join one of the fastest growing careers in the country.