The healthcare field has a lot of non-clinical career opportunities that one can go for. Medical coding is one such field that has gathered a lot of attention from aspirants all over the world.
Medical coding falls under administrative roles and is very much in demand in the healthcare industry. This is why so many people are going for certified professional coder courses in many countries.
This makes it important that you too make yourself familiar with what medical coding is and what are the main tasks handled by a certified professional medical coder.
What is Medical Coding?
According to the American Academy of Professional Coders, Medical coding involves the translation of medical services, diagnoses, treatments, and procedures into universally accepted medical alphanumeric codes.
Medical coding allows you to translate important medical information into codes that make documents, record keeping, and medical billing more efficient as well as accurate.
In medical coding, the coder interprets the physician’s notes and extracts information about the necessary procedures, medical equipment, diagnosis, etc., and then converts it into universal alphanumeric codes which makes it easier to arrange and organize the medical data for further processing.
Following are the three main types of universally known alphanumeric codes that every new coder should learn
- ICD
It stands for the international classification of diseases. This system was designed by WHO for the purpose of health recording, data collection, recording causes of death, and classifying symptoms, diseases, and illnesses.
- CPT
This stands for current procedural terminology and it is sued to identify medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures. Developed by the American Medical Association, this system includes three main categories i.e., emerging technologies, procedures and practices, and clinical labs.
- HCPCS
It stands for healthcare common procedure coding System. This system was made to help with processing insurance claims. Coders can use this system to record medical procedures, products, services, supplies, and the history of the patients.
What is a Medical Coder?
A medical coder is a certified individual who specializes in transforming physicians’ notes and reports into universal alphanumeric codes for better record-keeping and billing.
A code tells healthcare providers, insurance companies, researchers, and other relevant authorities in exact words about the diagnosis, treatments, and other healthcare services provided by the physician. This makes quantifying the healthcare records easier and the physicians’ notes less abstract.
The following are the main responsibilities of a medical coder
- Converting information into the right medical codes
- Researching, collecting, and filing medical information of the patients
- Complying with medical coding policies and guidelines
- Conducting chart audits
- Examining and identifying missing information from medical records
- Ensuring grammatic and alphanumeric accuracy in all documents
Important Technical Skills Required for Medical Coding
Each certified medical coder course in Dubai is designed to transfer certain very specific skills to an individual. By learning these skills, you can soon land a great medical coding job anywhere in the world.
- ICD, CPT, and HCPCS coding
- Anatomy and physiology
- Inpatient coding
- Medical coding and customer billing
- Health IT
- Clinical documentation
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance
Top Transferable Skills Needed for Medical Coding
Every professional medical coder should possess the following transferrable skills to perform better at their job
- Multi-tasking
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Organizational Skills
- Patience
Educational Requirements for Medical Coders
In order to become a professional medical coder, you need certain certifications and at least one year of professional work experience. Every medical coding institute in Dubai offers quality medical coding and billing certificate programs that you can enroll in.
After you have completed a certain medical coding program, you will receive a CCA (certified coding assistant), CCS (certified coding specialist), or an equivalent credential based on your region.
You can also go for coding certifications like CMC (certified medical coder), or CPC-A (certified professional coder). There is also an option where you can choose to get a specialty coding certification in paediatrics, urology, etc.
According to research conducted by AAPC, certified medical coders earn 27% more than people who do it without any professional training. You can complete a coding certification before or after completing your associate degree. There is no hard and fast rule as to when you can get medical coding training and certification.
Each employer has its own specific training and certification requirements when it comes to medical coding. This is why it is important that you do careful planning before applying for a certain medical coding certification.
Final Thoughts
So, now you know what medical coding is and what are the basic skills and certifications you need to get started in this field. Medical coding is a very accessible career with a lot of job opportunities and room for growth.
You can get a medical coder certificate through an in-person or an online program which makes it easier for you to complete this course in a way that is most convenient for you.
