Have you ever considered a career as a Medical Insurance Biller and Coder? If you are interested in entering the medical field, are detail-oriented, and thrive in an administrative setting, then Medical Insurance Billing and Coding could be a great fit for you!
With the healthcare industry in the United States booming, it is a great time to become an Allied Health Professional. Allied Health Professionals serve many functions in the medical field, and Medical Billers and Coders play an important procedural role in our healthcare system. Medical Billers, Coders, and Office Specialists are the healthcare professionals responsible for many important tasks in the medical office, primarily the task of translating healthcare services rendered into requests for payment from insurance companies.
Although medical coding and billing has always been an important part of our healthcare system, this role has increased exponentially as the American healthcare system modernizes. With an increased focus on health data and the digitization of medical records, there is an increased demand for skilled billing and coding specialists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the medical billing and coding field is expected to grow 13% by 2026, creating nearly 30,000 new jobs in the next seven years. With this strong growth, it is a great time to consider beginning a career as a Medical Insurance Biller and Coder!
But what, exactly, does a Medical Insurance Coder and Biller do? Every part of a patient’s medical visit is recorded by a doctor or someone in the healthcare provider’s office. The Medical Coder codes these individual patient services and diagnoses, and then the Medical Biller uses those codes to request payment from the patient’s insurance company. Medical Insurance Billers and Coders perform a vital administrative task of healthcare, freeing doctors and other medical staff to provide care to patients.
Here is a more detailed description of Medical Insurance Billing and Coding:
Medical Insurance Coding
Medical coding is like translation. Every step of a patient’s medical visit is recorded by a doctor or someone in the healthcare provider’s office; Medical Coding translates each bit of this information, such as a doctor’s diagnosis or a prescription for medication, into the corresponding numeric or alphanumeric code. These codes can then be used in the billing process. For every medical procedure, injury, illness, and diagnosis, there is a corresponding medical code. There are thousands of medical codes, and these codes act as a universal language between doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies.
Medical Insurance Coders must be familiar with the codes used in the industry, and also understand the guidelines and rules of the codes. Accuracy and adherence to guidelines is imperative as it can affect the status of an insurance claim. The coding process is complete when the Medical Coder has entered the appropriate codes into a form or computer program, and the report progresses to Medical Billing.
Medical Insurance Billing
Medical Billing takes the codes and turns them into a financial report in order to ensure the healthcare provider is properly compensated for their services. This report is a bill for the insurance company, also called a claim. Medical Insurance Billers send the claims to the insurance company, which evaluates and returns it. The Biller then evaluates the returned claim to determine how much the patient owes, after the insurance is taken out, and creates an accurate bill to deliver to the patient. If a patient is delinquent or unwilling to pay the bill, the Medical Insurance Biller hires a collections agency to ensure the medical provider is properly compensated for their services.
The Medical Insurance Billing and Coding program at Las Vegas College trains students in the skills they need to enter into a variety of entry-level positions in this rewarding healthcare field. LVC students learn comprehensive medical coding and billing procedures, current medical software and trends in the insurance industry. Students learn medical terminology, medical billing software, and how to prepare and file insurance claims and analyze benefits. Like all of LVC’s programs, the Medical Insurance Billing and Coding program provides hands-on, practical learning in a real-world setting. LVC graduates will be prepared to earn the Certified Professional Coder-A (CPC-A) certification from the AAPC certifying agency and are equipped for entry-level positions in the field.
LVC’s program prepares graduates with the training that is needed to enter into entry-level medical careers as a Medical Biller, Medical Insurance Specialist, Medical Coder, Medical Records Clerk, Hospital Admitting Clerk, Medical Office Administrator, or Electronic Health Records clerk. These healthcare professionals are able to work in a variety of medical environments including private medical practices, medical billing companies, hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies. Administrative medical office positions such as these are found in every part of the country, and some individuals may find they are able to work from their own home.
If you’re ready to start your career in the medical field, then LVC’s Medical Insurance Billing and Coding program may be the right choice for you. Schedule a visit to tour our modern facility, or click here to apply today!