The process of medical coding has become common place in healthcare facilities around the world. As such, the demand for certified medical coding professionals continues to rise. Read on to learn more about this growing industry and the benefits of medical coding training and certification opportunities.
Like most professions worth pursuing, you need to be adequately
trained to work as a medical coder. To become a medical coder you must
have a high school diploma and pass an accredited course in medical
coding. In the United States, the American Academy of Professional
Coders offers courses to become a Certified Professional Coder. These
courses are conducted in classroom settings, as well as online. If there
is a facility close to where you are located, you could attend the
classroom course; if not, online may be considered. Getting
certification typically costs between $1,000 - $2,000 depending on which
course you decide to enroll in. You will not only be trained in
punching in numeric and alphanumeric codes, but you will also be trained
in the basics of medical terminology and codes used in the medical
industry.
You will be taught to understand the different sets of
codes that are used in the medical industry in the United States (or
whatever country you are being trained in). There are different levels
of training and certification programs available from which you can gain
qualification in medical coding. CPC, for instance, is the
certification for Outpatient Physician Office Credential. In this course
you will be taught the correct usage of CPT, HCPCS level II procedures
and supply codes, and ICD-9-CM codes for diagnosis; whereas the CPC-H
certification is for Outpatient Hospital/Facility Credential.
This
certification qualifies you to do coding and billing in an outpatient
hospital. CPC-P which stands for Certified Professional Coder - Payer
certifies you on the correct usage of CPT, HCPCS level II procedures and
supply codes, and ICD-9-CM codes for diagnosis for coding and billing
in offices from where payments are made. These include Medicare and
Medicaid as well as other insurer's offices. Then, there are specialty
coding credentials that you can gain. For example, if you want to work
as a medical coder with a radiology and cardiovascular facility, you may
opt to get the CIRCC certification.
Specialty medical coding jobs
often pay more than more general medical coding jobs. In the medical
coding profession you can expect to earn anywhere from $30,000 to over
$50,000 annually and sometime more. Once you have proven your
proficiency in your work you can also decide to work from home. If you
work at a healthcare facility you will have a standard forty hour per
week, Monday to Friday job. It will be like any other office job, the
only difference being that you will be a specialist in the job you are
doing. If a full-time job is not desired or preferred, once certified,
medical coding may also be considered as a part-time profession.
