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A basic job description for medical coders (and many billers too) is as follows:A coder is responsible for codifying diagnostic and treatment terms and keeping record of these codes so that patients or their insurers may be accurately billed for services received. The worker is required to demonstrate heavy background knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, as well as “etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and prognosis of diseases and procedures,“ as described by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). The worker must work well with practitioners and patients, acting as the middle link in the billing process.
In short a coder translates the medical treatment and diagnosis from physicians and care givers into alpha-numeric codes which are typically used for billing, records keeping, and reference/statistical purposes.
The details that are usually controlled and stored within a data set consist of health history, diagnosis, treatment procedures and symptoms. Coding is utilized as a way in order to allow both physicians and provider of health care to get hold of fees for their rendered services. The codes allotted help to set up the total money a health care provider can refund from a lot of insurance companies.
In addition to this, the job of a medical coder needs the utilization of several coding numbers intended for ambulatory settings, billing purposes, and longer time health care. With this, it is important for a medical coder to keep the appropriate credentials given by the CSA (Coding Special Authorities) or the ART (Accredited Record Technician).
Holding a CPC credential from the AAPC is one of the best ways to demonstrate that you know what you are doing as a medical coder and that you can perform your job well.
A medical coding technician keeps an associate’s degree when it comes to health information knowledge in order to be part of the field. Moreover, gaining properly clinical understanding on physiology, disease process, pharmacology and anatomy could be an extra advantage to have right translations of the medical terminologies into applicable codes.
Coding systems that are included in the documentation prerequisites consist of ICPM, ICD9-CM, HCPCS/CPT and DSM-IV. The utilization of these codes, which is basically covered in the job description of a medical coder will assure that the diagnosis and operative procedures advised by a doctor is qualified.
A job description to cover all bases in the industry should also require that the coder must meet a duty to ensure that these codes complete every standard insurance, legal and federal rule for quicker service payments.
Medical coders can make pretty good money as one might surmise by the complexity of the job description itself. If you are interested in becoming a medical coder see this post on jumpstarting your medical coding career quickly.
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Make sure to take a CPC certification practice exam before taking the real test. Practice tests will help you pass on your first try.
Click here to see the practice exams or to view the additional CPC exam study guides click here.
Click here for information on getting medical coding training, degrees, and/or certificates.
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