Medical Coding 101: What You Need To Know
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What is Medical Coding?
Medical classification, or medical coding, is the process of transforming descriptions of medical diagnoses and procedures into universal medical code numbers."
The code numbers are detailed in order to accurately describe what is wrong with the patient and the procedures performed to test or correct these diagnoses. Because medicine is not always an exact science, codes were developed to identify all reasons for seeking healthcare.
Medical coding is an essential component to the operations of a hospital, doctor's office or any medical facility. It is part of the records and financial department, which keeps records of all patients, of procedures and takes care of billing and insurance records.
The code numbers are detailed in order to accurately describe what is wrong with the patient and the procedures performed to test or correct these diagnoses. Because medicine is not always an exact science, codes were developed to identify all reasons for seeking healthcare.
Medical coding is an essential component to the operations of a hospital, doctor's office or any medical facility. It is part of the records and financial department, which keeps records of all patients, of procedures and takes care of billing and insurance records.
How do you become a Medical Coder?
If you're interested in pursuing medical coding as a career, the best option is to go to a good school that specializes in this particular field. There are schools all over the country that will give you the proper training and prepare you to become a medical assistant.When looking at medical coding or medical assistant schools, you'll want to make sure that they are accredited. Just do your research and you'll be able to tell which schools are credible.
There are currently three types of major healthcare coding systems.
CPT (Current Procedure Terminology) procedure codes
Examples:
- 90805 = outpatient psychotherapy
- 38221 = bone marrow biopsy, trocar or needle
- 38211 = tumor cell depletion
- 99261 - 99263 = follow-up inpatient consultation
- 99054 = services requested on holidays or Sundays
Example of CPT
HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
Examples:
- J8700 = Temozolmide, oral, 5 mg.
- A0030 = Ambulance service, conventional air service, transport, one way
- JO530 = Injection of penicillin
- J3490 = Unclassified drugs
- P9010 = Blood (whole) for transfusion
Example of HCPCS codes and fees
ICD-9
Examples:
- 805.12 = Injury-cervical, open/second cervical vertebra
- 296.0 = Manic disorder, first episode
- 633.1 = Ectopic pregnancy, tubal, no IUP
- 780.1 = Hallucinations
- 333.1 = Alzheimer's
Example of an ICD-9 Interface
There you have it, a beginner's overview of medical coding. If you feel you want to learn more about becoming a medical assistant, I highly recommend looking into getting certified. The schools listed above are a good jumping point to seeing what the right fit is for you.
Medical Coding Books
Medical Coding Videos!
Medical Coding Jobs
- Medical Coding Spec
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XLHealth - Baltimore, MD
Perform clinical chart reviews on Medical Records following coding guidelines and convention as... and Medical Terminology • Experience coding both... ... - Medical Coding Specialist
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Emergency Physicians PA - Hopkins, MN
for a Coding Specialist in our Minnetonka office. Responsibilities incude reviewing the electronic medical... Associates degree and coding certification (CCS,CCA... ... - Medical Records Coding Specialist
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Dell - Flagstaff, AZ
The Medical Records Coding Specialist will perform... coding experience Trained and have credentials as required by the job description Knowledge of medical... ... - Medical Coding Specialist
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Amedisys, Inc. - Baton Rouge, LA
or in person on correct coding guidelines. 4. Types... or training in medical coding preferred. 2. One (1) year experience in medical coding or Coding specialist... ... - CODING ASSISTANT - MEDICAL RECORDS
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La Porte Regional Health System - La Porte, IN
SUMMARY Assists Coding staff in retrieving needed information to code the medical record. Performs... CPT-4 coding process preferred. Medical Terminology... ...
Medical Coding Links
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- Medical coding is the transformation of narrative descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures in healthcare into numeric or alphanumeric designations (i.e. code numbers). The code numbers are very detailed to be able to describe the diagnoses (what is wrong with the patient) and the procedure
- American Academy of Professional Coders
- American Academy of Professional Coders Homepage
- AACCA - American Association of Certified Coders and Auditors
- The AACCA was founded by a group of Registered Nurses interested in the promotion of RNs as medical coders and auditors of medical documentation for proper coding for
Medicare and other third-party reimbursement, and HIPAA compliance. - Medical Billing and Coding Salary
- First step is to search for a licensed school that will equip you with everything that you needed to acquire and to know in order to become a medical biller and coder. Few programs are offered in vocational schools.
- Medical coder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Medical coder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- CPT Codes - What Are CPT Codes
- CPT codes are developed by the American Medical Association and are used by doctors and other healthcare practitioners to describe medical, surgical and diagnostic procedures used on patients.
- Medical Assistant Salary - Certified Medical Assistant Salaries, Jobs, Schools, Exam
- According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) a medical assistant salary is one of those with the best future prospects as the need for doctor's assistants is set to rise as the population gets older. It is a good time to consider a career in medical assisting just in case you a
- Medical Insurance Billing & Office Administration
- You want to enter the growing healthcare field, but you prefer administrative opportunities. Due to the increasing rate of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will fall under scrutiny of health insurance companies, regulators & consumers, the demand for qualified billing and coding professionals has never been higher.
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May 3, 2012 @ 4:36 pm | delete
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