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About Medical Billing and Coding

Study Medical Billing and Coding Online

About Medical Billing and Coding

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for medical coders and medical billing specialists will increase more than 27% over the next 6 years. Typically a medical coder or medical billing specialist will work in a hospital setting, but does not have to work directly with patients.

In a busy medical office or hospital, it would be difficult for a physician or nurse to maintain the hundreds (or thousands) of patient records that are handled each day.

For every patient that receives medical treatment at a health care facility, records are created. Patient health records serve many purposes, such as:

• To document a record of your body functions, or vital signs
• To inform other doctors and specialists about what kinds of illnesses and treatments you have received over time
• To track the results of different tests that you have received

Doctors, nurses, and other medical providers depend on professionals who are trained and experienced in medical billing and coding to ensure that patient and medical records are taken care of thoroughly and efficiently.

Is Medical Billing and Coding the Career for You?

If you are thinking of working in the health information field, consider some of the items on the following list:

• You are detail-oriented
• You can remember and recall things without difficulty
• You enjoy working in the medical field
• You are skilled at using a computer and typing on a keyboard
• Learning is enjoyable for you, and you would not mind having training to develop your professional skills
• You would like a job that offers routine rather than irregularity

The size of the medical facility may affect your duties working in medical coding and medical billing. For example, if you find work at one of the largest hospitals in your area, you may find that medical coders and medical billing professionals specialize in specific areas of health information.

At a smaller facility, the medical coders and billers may be working in all areas.

Though medical coders and medical billing specialists may typically work in hospitals and at health care facilities, they have very little interaction with the patients. This profession is one of the few in the health care industry that does not require direct contact with patients.

The focus of medical coding and billing is mostly administrative, managing the information and paperwork that is necessary to keep records and billing organized.

Why are Medical Billers and Coders Necessary?

Imagine a patient who is visiting his doctor. When the doctor asks about how he's feeling, he says that he:

• is fatigued,
• has feelings of nausea,
• and has a sore throat.

In order for the doctor to make a proper diagnosis, she has the patient undergo certain medical tests. The patient has a blood test and a test for strep throat. When the test results come in, the doctor and patient review the paperwork. In this case, the patient was diagnosed with mononucleosis.

For each test the patient received, there is a special code assigned. The code is a way for medical offices and insurance companies to record and track all medical procedures. Medical billers and coders assign the proper codes to patient tests for medical insurance providers. If an incorrect code is assigned to a test, diagnosis, or procedure, then it will disrupt the payment process between the insurance company and the medical provider.

Medical coding and billing is an essential part of the health care industry. Health information professionals provide behind-the-scenes expertise in a medical facility, acting as a kind of translator between a medical facility and the insurance providers.

Traits of a Successful Medical Coding and Billing Specialist

Successful online students and successful medical coding and billing specialists share many of the same characteristics and traits. These qualities can include:

• Strong computer skills and technical knowledge
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently without a lot of supervision
• Comfort with navigating the Internet
• Demonstrated experience as a self-starter
• Good time management skills coupled with a strong work ethic
• Self-starter and able to stay on task

How Much Do Medical Coders and Medical Billing Specialists Earn?

According to latest data published by the U.S. Department of Labor, medical coders and billing specialists can make anywhere from $20,650 to $32,990 a year. This salary level depends on many factors, such as:

• the number of years you have worked in medical coding and billing
• geographical location (metropolitan areas usually pay more because the cost of living is more expensive)
• the size of the medical facility (a small practice may not pay as much as a large hospital)
• your educational attainment level (high school/GED holder,
  associate's degree holder, bachelor's degree holder)

Medical coders and billers at the associate's degree level earn an average salary of $30,700 a year, and those at the bachelor's degree level earn an average of $36,000 a year (see bachelor's degree programs online for medical informatics).

For those looking for career advancement and potentially managing a medical coding and billing department, there are online master's degree programs in health informatics and health information technology.

How Do Online Medical Coding and Billing Programs Work?

The majority of online medical coding and billing certification courses can be completed in a matter of months. It's important to note that the duration of your program depends the school you attend, and what kind of program you choose.

Some schools, like Penn Foster Career School, have professional certification programs that are self-paced, meaning that you can take as long as you need to finish each lesson. When you complete a lesson, you submit your work to the professor, and then you are sent the materials for the following lesson.

Other schools have instructor-facilitated programs, where your work is graded by an instructor. Your instructor is typically an individual who has extensive experience in the field of medical coding and billing. Unlike self-paced programs, programs led by an instructor must be completed within a certain time frame.

Study materials will vary depending on the online school or program provider, but may include textbooks, software applications, study guides, eBooks, CD-ROMs, etc.

Medical coding and billing schools may also provide students other reference materials, including reference materials such as medical dictionaries.

Will I Ever Have to Go to a Campus?

For most online schools offering medical coding and billing programs, there are typically no residency requirements. The majority of programs are completed either by postal mail (also referred to as correspondence courses) and over the Internet (using email, telephone communication, and virtual classrooms).

Are There Any Prerequisites for Medical Coding and Billing Online Programs?

It depends on your school or provider. It is important that you are comfortable using a computer and have good deal of experience using the Internet. If you are earning your professional certification, there is typically one prerequisite. Most online students are required to have a GED or high school diploma. While it can definitely be helpful, you do not need to have industry or career experience to enroll in a medical coding and billing program.

If you are interested in enrolling in an online medical coding and billing degree program, then you should check with your online college or university about the program's requirements.

If I've Never Taken an Online Class Before, How Do I Know I Can Do It?

You can take a free self-assessment to gauge your success in completing an online course. You can also talk to the admissions counselors at the online schools where you intend to apply to discuss factors unique to your situation and support services.

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