“What is Medical Coding and Billing?” “Is it an ideal job for engineering graduates?” “Is it a clinical job?” “What to learn and where?” “What qualification/certificates are needed to work as Medical Coder or Biller?”
There are many questions people have about medical coding and billing career. As we can see lately, with the advancement in information technology, healthcare sector is creating a large number of non-clinical office-based opportunities by combining healthcare services with IT. Among these, medical coding and billing is one of the most upcoming fields creating millions of employment opportunities globally.
If you are a graduate (any background) looking for a solid career or someone aiming at a recession-free sector for a career shift, Medical Coding and Billing is suitable. Let’s further explore medical coding and billing career in better details.
About Medical Coding
Medical coding is the process of converting patient diagnoses, procedures, and other medical services in the medical records to alphanumeric (alphabets & numbers) codes. The process of coding further simplifies the medical billing for accurate medical insurance processing.
About Medical Billing
Medical billing is the process of translating a healthcare service (with the help of medical codes) into detailed medical bills/claims to be submitted to health insurance companies and payers. This is a critical step in the RCM (revenue cycle management) of healthcare sector.
Who can do medical coding and billing?
Many people wrongly assume that medical coding and billing requires prior medical knowledge as of a doctor, nurse, lab technician, pharmacist etc. But, as we discussed above, coding and billing is more of a healthcare-IT job than a clinical practice job. So, you can be from any background to get trained, certified, and start to practice as a medical coder and biller.
However, you need to get professional training and certifications to get a job as a specialist medical coder or biller. Medical coding and billing is a fully office-based job to be done with the computers, online/offline reference materials, and data processing software.
Is it an ideal job for engineering graduates?
Engineering graduates are now exploring every possible employment sector, so why not medical coding and billing? Moreover, when compared to many other career sectors which are vulnerable to changing marketing conditions, the most reassuring thing about healthcare-related careers is that these are recession-proof. Neither economic downtrend nor technology change will have adverse effects on such careers.
Where are the job opportunities?
Medical coding and billing have opportunities worldwide as the standards followed in coding and billing is the same across the globe. By being a certified and skilled coding and billing professional, you can get a job anywhere as in US, UK, Australia, India, UAE and so on.
As a medical coder or biller, you may be typically working in the revenue management department of a hospital, an insurance company, or a third party claim processing center for medical insurances.
What professional training and certification is required for coding and billing?
As it is a skilled profession, you need to undergo intensive training to develop baseline knowledge of Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, various Healthcare Practices etc. at the baseline. You also should have through knowledge and practice in specialized areas as:
(1) Medical Coding: ICD10 codes, CPT codes, HCPCS etc.
(2) Medical Billing: Billing regulations, HIPAA & compliance, Claim processing
Globally acclaimed certifications/credentials for coding and billing professionals are:
(3) Medical Coding: CPC (certified professional coder) by AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders
(4) Medical Billing – CPB (certified professional biller) by AAPC
There are plenty of job opportunities created in India also for skilled / certified medical coders and billers. With the insurance sector growing steadily in the country and more getting covered, coding and billing is expected to create huge opportunities in Indian healthcare insurance sector too in the coming years.
No.1 Coding & Billing Training in Kerala
There are AAPC certification centers in Kochi and other major cities in the country. Those who are planning to enter into this successful career can enroll into the 3 months intensive training program at Spectrum Kochi www.spectrum.co.in – one of the leading service providers in Healthcare IT sector for last 20 years.
Medical Coding & Billing course fee: Rs. 34,500 to be paid in installments
Duration : 3 Months
CONTACT: 9895682000 / 0484-4082111
Author: Arun Kumar Anthore
Is an HR Recruiter cum Career Guidance professional with many years of experience in IT recruitment and career / educational counseling.
