You have probably seen advertisements and heard others talking about careers in medical code and billing. These types of programs have the potential to put you on a great career path in the medical field, and you will find that skilled professionals in this field have opportunities with a variety of healthcare employers. Competent billing people are needed to keep physician’s offices running smoothly for processing insurance paperwork.
However, you should be careful and make sure that you choose a good school that will provide you with the right education to get you started on the right path. Before you start looking for the right school for you, it’s a good idea to have a better understanding of what this type of career entails.
What is Medical Billing and Coding?
The professionals who work in this area of healthcare do not perform actual hands-on patient care. Instead, they are working in the back office on the financial side, and they are going to be the ones who are processing patient information and insurance information. The coder and biller is going to make sure that the patient’s diagnosis receives the right code so that the insurance company knows what it is paying for. They are also responsible for making sure that the insurance company actually pays for the care.
While many programs are going to cover both coding and billing, they are two quite different matters. The coders do not have to spend all that much time working with insurance agencies or patients at all. They analyze the patient’s charts and data to ensure that it receives the right code when it goes to billing. The biller is going to be the one who will talk with patients and insurance companies. The biller and the coder will often work together and within the same department. Of course, in some medical offices and clinics that are on the small side, you might find that you have to take care of both aspects of the job.
