Medical Coding

With a career in medical coding, the possibilities are endless for starting your very own business, as well as plenty of work at home coding opportunities, and many jobs in several types of medical facilities. The health care industry is ever changing and continues to grow with the many advancements in technology, and medical coders continue to remain in high demand.

What exactly is medical coding?

Every procedure or service provided by a health care professional such as a doctor, surgeon, or physical therapist is assigned a numerical code. This includes visits to the doctor's office, surgical procedures, as well as services such as physical therapy.

ICD refers to International Disease Codes and is the numerical system used to represent diagnoses, with everything from the common cold, to headaches, to brain tumors, to diseases having their own distinct code. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is the numerical coding system used to indicate what procedures were done, such as office visits, x-rays, or the administering of medication.

A combination of the CPT and ICD codes are used to quickly indicate what the patient had done, and what services the insurance company should be billed for.

Training

Training for a career in medical coding usually begins with learning medical terminology, which is an absolute necessity for this type of position. Coders will also learn some anatomy and physiology in addition to studying ethics, medical law, and some administrative topics. Medical coders used to have to attend school anywhere from two to four years to learn coding, however, today there are numerous, reputable correspondence schools and home-study courses, as well as traditional or technical schools to choose from.

Many employers that hire medical coders require that they have certification or proof of their training to ensure their capabilities.

Salary

While the industry standards may vary based on location, it is estimated that the average beginning salary for a medical coder is about $35,000 USD a year. A typical medical coding company generally charges around $17.00 to code an outpatient report, which usually takes anywhere from two to 10 minutes to complete depending upon the complexity and number of services the patient received.

What type of career in medical coding can I expect after training?

Medical coders are an integral part of the health care system as nearly every single provider of medical services will require the skills and expertise of a coder to keep their records and billing information in order, and also to ensure they will be accurately reimbursed for their services. For that reason, employment opportunities abound after training in medical coding.

If the allure of being your own boss doing home based coding or working for a coding company doesn't appeal to you, a career in medical coding may also involve working in a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital. One single hospital system alone may employ dozens and dozens of coders, and there is plenty of room for advancement in this particular niche of the health care field.

Of course there are also many other health care entities that will require the services that offer jobs in medical coding, such as a nursing home or rehabilitation center, mental health clinics, or urgent care clinics. Also, insurance companies, billing companies, law firms, and some governmental agencies may all need medical coders to keep their businesses operating efficiently.

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