Thursday 23 February 2012

What Kind of Experience is Needed to Get Medical Coders Jobs?


Whereas a medical assistant or nurse once typed out invoices after hours for medical practices, today even the smallest clinics have computerized their billing to save time, improve coding accuracy and protect their revenue stream. The result is a demand for medical billing and coding professionals with proper experience.

The General Market for Medical Coders

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics rates medical billing and coding as one of the 10 fastest-growing allied health occupations. Demand is further intensified by an 18 percent shortage of qualified candidates, according to surveys by the American Hospital Association. This market demand is good news for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in medical coding and billing; especially for those who have previously performed medical coding in some realm of their previous employment.
Though billing and coding are distinct disciplines, individuals who seek medical coders jobs ought to be skilled in both billing and coding, even if an eventual position only emphasizes one discipline over the other– as would likely be the case in large patient care facilities where medical claim volumes are high.

The movement in health care to electronic medical record keeping will only increase, due to:
  1. expanding insurance programs
  2. the documented rise in fraud claims
  3. the aging of the American public, and
  4. the constant refining of government requirements on reporting and data sourcing.
Therefore, the breadth of one’s knowledge base when seeking medical coders jobs is very important to prospective employers.

Required Skills and Background

The financial well-being of a medical business relies on the prompt service of those who control the billing and coding functions. Therefore, efficient medical coders must be familiar with the nuances of insurance contracts, explanations of benefits and electronic remittance information. Certified or otherwise, competent medical billers’ and coders’ specialized training and expertise will answer the current job market demand, especially when that training is accompanied with strong word processing and bookkeeping skills.
Delayed or denied claims, rather than being based on insurance or benefit non-compliance, are most often the result of incorrect coding. Experience with managing accounts receivables, claim appeals, and patient inquiries on statements and balances, such as one would learn at accounting firms or in banking, are key technical talents to hone for medical coders jobs.
Along with the aforementioned skills, previous employment in customer service is excellent preparation for handling the stress of a medical billing and coding job, as these positions require a great deal of patience and sensitivity to client needs. Individuals who can:
  1. think on their feet
  2. listen well
  3. ask targeted questions
  4. stay up to date with sometimes esoteric insurance requirements, and
  5. compose pertinent informational profiles without getting flustered
You may want to work with an insurance provider. Prospective medical billers and coders may want to consider whether the demands that come with the medical billing and coding profession are too intimidating. Medical coders jobs require a facility for interpreting doctors’ notes, assigning proper diagnoses and treatment codes, and applying modifiers when necessary — all of which often fall on the shoulders of one individual who has to perform these tasks for a busy practice. Even the most talented individuals can become overwhelmed at first.

Know Your Strengths and Prepare for the Demands

Having little or no pertinent experience in the medical billing or coding field, even when you have secured a coding or billing certificate, may pose an occupational liability. It is wise while working on a medical billing or coding certificate to find work in a doctor’s office, even if the job is only filing. You will gain a key edge by familiarizing yourself with the real world coding environment. As a bonus, this type of experience can also generate networking potentials for medical coder jobs in related medical settings; this will pay off once you achieve your certificate . Look to maximize on-the-job experiences by volunteering for cross-training while pursuing a formal certificate program.
At the minimum, while on the job, demonstrate:
  1. assertiveness
  2. respect for professional and client relationships
  3. personal discipline, and
  4. an organizational focus.
These characteristics are essential to managing the responsibilities of medical billing and coding. Inexperienced medical billers and coders, no matter their will to succeed, can cost a practice significant and disruptive compliance, legal and audit complications.

Enhance Your Profile

To remain aware of professional coding regulations and ensure that your experience will satisfy a prospective employers’ expectations, seek Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to stay abreast of industry regulations and improve skills and knowledge on the job. A current employer may likely offer cost-effective opportunities to take advantage of conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, and on-demand pre-recorded events.Consider these basic questions before deciding to enter the field of medical billing and coding:
  1. What kind of focus and work ethic do you have?
  2. Can you comprehend complex medical procedures, concepts and processes quickly?
  3. What is your interest level in anatomy and medicine, or in the entire healthcare field?
  4. Are you willing to sacrifice and put in long hours to become a medical billing and coding expert?
  5. Will your financial situation allow for the cost of your education and the time it will take to become certified?

Add Professional Memberships

Assuming you make the commitment to the medical billing and coding profession, consider joining one of the several professional associations that are available to aspiring billing and coding professionals. Membership in these organizations indicates your willingness to invest in the field and also enhances your networking opportunities.
To build your resume and expand your portfolio of accomplishments, check online for information about the American Association of Medical Billers (AAMB)—an organization that offers Certified Medical Biller (CBM) and Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS) credentials.
You might also want to check out the American Health Information Management Association, an organization that offers professional credit to candidates for medical coders jobs who have achieved passing grades on specific exams including the:
  1. Certified Procedural Coder (CPC) exam
  2. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam, and the
  3. Certified Coding Specialist for the Physician (CCS-P) exam.
Among other noteworthy certification sources, the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) (formerly the American Guild of Patient Account Management) lists additional opportunities for medical coders to upgrade their profiles and better position themselves in the market to meet the escalating demand for medical billers and coders.

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