A Few Options For Starting A Career In Medical Coding

26 September 2017
 Categories: Education & Development, Blog


Medical coding and billing is a career that involves reviewing patient medical records and putting them into codes that insurance companies use to process claims. They help ensure that medical professionals receive payment for the treatments the provided. Everything that is done needs to be coded in a uniform way so that the entity responsible for the payment can easily processed. Coders work in doctors' offices, hospitals, and insurance companies. He or she needs to have an understanding of the different terminology used and what the treatments are expected to do. There are a few different ways to become a medical coder; here are some of your options.

On-the-Job Training

If you have been working in a medical office of some sort, and part of your job involves working with patient records, you probably already know medical terminology. You can ask your employer to learn how to do the coding. It will involve spending extra time at work to sit with the coders and learn the job. However, it would be better if you also took a few courses online or through a local college so you can take a certification test.

Online Training

There are many online courses where you can learn coding. You will be able to study at your own pace. This is a good option if you already have some type of medical experience or schooling. Before enrolling, you should make sure that the courses offered will allow you to take a certification test upon completion.

Associate Degree

Some community colleges offer a degree in medical billing. In addition to medical terminology, some of the classes you will take include anatomy & physiology, health information technology, and clinical classifications for coding. Once complete, you can receive certification and start to work.

Bachelor Degree

If you would like to specialize in a certain area of advanced medicine, you can attend a university to receive a Bachelor Degree. In addition to what you would learn for an Associate Degree, you will study coding for radiology, pathology and more about medical laws and ethics.

You may want to go slowly. Take online courses that will allow you to start working in the field. Once you are working, you can choose to further your education to earn a degree. This will not only help you in the workplace, but provide you with more opportunities. In addition, you will be earning more money when you have more skills and knowledge. Visit a site like  CODINGCLARIFIED.COM for more help.


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