What is a Medical Coder? How Do I Become One?

Medical coders are health information professionals that analyze and translate medical procedures and records into standard codes. Medical coders work on diagnoses, treatment procedures, supplies, and other valuable medical information that government agencies, insurance companies, and healthcare organizations can utilize.

Medical coders work on ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems. The excellent work of medical coders helps these organizations and agencies to educate members of the public, allocate resources and aid medical research and studies.

Healthcare providers use different abbreviations and terminologies when writing reports which they will later submit to insurance companies when filing insurance claims. To simplify the process, medical coders analyze and translate these terms and abbreviations into standard codes that all healthcare organizations use.

Medical coders make the back and forth between healthcare providers and insurance companies easier and quicker. Medical coders are also known as clinical coders, clinical coding officers, diagnostic officers, and medical coders and billers. Physician Offices, hospitals, insurance companies, and other healthcare organizations employ the services of medical coding specialists.

How Do I Become a Medical Coder?

Wondering how to become a medical coder? With a high school diploma or its equivalent, you can obtain a diploma or an associate degree in Medical Coding.

A diploma or associate degree in Medical Coding will help you stand out amongst other applicants. It will also prepare you to work in the healthcare system without challenges. During the program, you will learn the billing codes for filing claims, medical terminologies as well as the fundamentals of Physiology and Anatomy.

Most employers require medical coders who at least have the basic knowledge of medical coding, even for entry-level positions. As a result, it is beneficial to pursue your program with a credible institution.

The Ultimate Medical Academy offers diploma and associate degree programs with adequate training on coding, use of computers, medical terminologies, basics of physiology and anatomy, workplace practices, communication skills, and every other thing you need to excel as a Medical Coder. After a successful program with UMA, you will find it easy to blend into the healthcare system. The program is comprehensive, detailed, and learner-centered.

Will Medical Coders Stay Relevant? 

Longevity is one of the qualities of a great career path. You will get that if you choose to pursue a career as a medical coder. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the next eight years, the demand for medical coders will increase by ten percent.

The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) pegs this increase in demand at twenty-two percent by 2022. Insurance companies, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations require the services of medical coders, so coders are here to stay.

From the above analysis, it is clear that medical coders will stay relevant for a long time. Do you want a career change, and you want a career that will remain relevant for a long time? Would you like to contribute your quota to the medical field without having to deal directly with patients or be on the frontline? Do you have excellent organizational skills? If your answer to these questions is yes, you might want to consider becoming a medical coder.

Medical Coder/Medical Billing Specialist 

You may have heard the terms medical coder, medical billing specialist, and medical billing and coding specialists. While the first two terms separate the activities of a medical coder and medical biller, the last term combines medical billing and coding into a single field.

While a medical coder works with medical records and coding systems, a medical billing specialist is tasked with filing insurance claims, ensuring the accuracy of the claims, and monitoring such claims until the healthcare provider receives the payment.

In certain healthcare settings such as physician’s offices and small private practices, the same person holds the position of a medical coder and billing specialist. In such environments, the medical coder and billing specialist is responsible for translating diagnoses and treatment procedures into codes and filing insurance claims using the codes.

More prominent healthcare organizations separate the duties of medical coders and billing specialists.

Certified Professional Coder Exam

For professional growth, a medical coder can sit for the Certified Professional Coder examination. The examination is a test of candidates’ knowledge of modern coding systems. It consists of one hundred and fifty multi-choice questions. Though it is not a requirement to graduate, it will help your career as a Medical Coding Specialist.


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