| Medical coding is the process of assigning | | | | formal training. Billing specialists takes the coded |
| standardized numerical codes to patient health | | | | output produced by the coder and submit it for |
| care charts. This coded information is used to | | | | reimbursement to insurance companies, Medicare, |
| ensure that insurance companies, government | | | | or directly to the patient. Many times a single |
| organizations, such as Medicare, and patients alike | | | | person will perform both the coding and the billing |
| all receive accurate billing statements for health | | | | functions. This is particularly true in smaller clinical |
| services performed. Medical coders perform the | | | | settings. In large, high volume health care |
| work of converting diagnostic and procedural | | | | operations, coding and billing are often organized |
| information into simplified numerical codes that can | | | | into separate functional areas. Of the two, coding |
| be electronically processed for payment by third | | | | specialists generally enjoy a higher income and |
| party payers - Insurance companies and Medicare, | | | | require more specialized training. |
| for example. | | | | Medical coders are in high demand and the |
| The process of medical coding requires an | | | | opportunities in the career field of health records |
| attention to detail to ensure accuracy of billing | | | | documentation are outstanding. Coders work in |
| records. Because of the large dollar amounts | | | | hospitals and clinics and for other health care |
| involved, coding is a highly regulated and tightly | | | | providers across the country. They play a vital |
| supervised activity. Coding is also subject to | | | | role in the health information management cycle. |
| frequent and rigorous audits to ensure accuracy in | | | | Increasingly, the health information management |
| the billing process as there are literally billions of | | | | industry is taking advantage of the rapid advances |
| dollars at stake. In many ways, medical coding is a | | | | in online coding technology. More and more, the |
| much more scrutinized activity than, say the | | | | work is performed online over the internet. As |
| transcription of patient records. | | | | online coding catches on as a concept, we will |
| Medical Coding work is typically performed in | | | | likely see many of the positions that have |
| hospitals or clinics, although we are beginning to | | | | traditionally been offered exclusively in hospitals |
| see some of these coding and billing jobs migrate | | | | and other health care settings begin to migrate to |
| to work at home positions. Medical coders | | | | home based jobs. The work at home employee |
| generally begin with a transcribed patient health | | | | model has worked very well for the transcription |
| record and transform procedures and diagnoses | | | | industry and will also likely begin to gain traction in |
| etc. into numerical codes. This takes a great deal | | | | the coding industry as online coding becomes |
| of expertise in medical terminology and a fluency | | | | more prevalent. |
| with relevant codes. Of course this requires | | | | |