What is medical coding?
- A important component of healthcare administration is medical coding, which entails assigning uniform alphanumeric identifiers to diagnoses, treatments, and supplies.
- Imagine a translator who allows complete medical records to be translated into a language that insurance companies can all understand.
- That’s pretty much the entire job of a medical coder! The process of assigning standardized alphanumeric codes to medical diagnoses, treatments, services, and equipment is known as medical coding. These codes guarantee correct invoicing, accurate medical record keeping, and effective analysis of healthcare data.
Medical billing:
- The process of filing claims to insurance companies for payment of rendered medical services is known as medical billing. It transfers the coded data into an invoice that needs to be paid for, taking up the mantle left by medical coding.
Different between medical coding and medical billing:
Why is medical coding important?
- Accurate Payment: Ensuring that healthcare practitioners are paid appropriately for the services they deliver is made possible by proper coding.
- Statistical Analysis: Healthcare planning, healthcare use analysis, and epidemiological research all require coded data.
- Compliance: Following coding standards and norms guarantees adherence to laws and regulations pertaining to healthcare, so averting fraud and abuse.
- Research and Public Health: The use of coded data makes it easier to conduct medical research, monitor public health, and create policies.
- Clinical recording Improvement (CDI): Accurate and comprehensive clinical recording is facilitated by proper coding, which enhances patient outcomes and treatment.
Who is Eligibility for medical coding?
- A bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in healthcare-related fields or in life sciences.
- A medical training program
- Being certified as a medical coder by an accredited institution
- Knowledge of the basic medical codes used.
- Analytical ability to read and analyse medical records by using the right codes and producing relevant data.
- Basics of disease processes, treatment procedures, terminology, body systems.
Medical coding Syllabus
Medical Coder Salary
- The typical starting salary for a medical coder ranges between Rs 4-6 lakhs per year. With experience and expertise, seasoned medical coders have the potential to earn up to INR 15 lakhs annually.
Is Medical Coding a Good Career Choice?
If you want to work in healthcare but don’t want to pursue a clinical role, medical coding can be an excellent career choice. Healthcare coders and billers are accountable for:
- Making certain that medical professionals are fairly compensated
- Assisting patients in maximizing their insurance benefits
- Coding the diagnoses of patients
- Requesting reimbursement from insurance providers
Through 2029, employment growth for medical coders is predicted to be 8%, double the rate of the national average. Career flexibility for medical coders is available in both in-person and remote work choices. An AAPC poll indicates that over 59% of programmers already work from home on a daily basis.
Apply For Medical Coding:
