Medical Billing & Coding

There are many commercials and ads about the medical billing career field. Some of these ads are from legitimate vocational schools that can provide students with the right training and education, but other ads try to tease people into buying a self-study course.

Unfortunately, the medical billing industry is rife with scams and diploma mills, so it's important to investigate any medical billing school you plan on attending. There are several articles on this site that discuss ways to find quality medical billing schools.

This page is dedicated to answering common questions students have about medical billing and coding:

What is Medical Billing and Coding?

Medical billing and coding specialists are the health care professionals responsible for processing patient data such as treatment records and related insurance information. Medical insurance biller and coders are tasked with coding a patient's diagnosis along with a request for payments from the patient's insurance company.

The healthcare industry is highly dependent on skilled and qualified medical insurance billers and coders to accurately record, register and keep track of each patient's account. Medical Billing and Medical Coding are actually two distinct jobs, so we'll discuss each separately.

Medical Billers are really responsible for making sure everyone is being billed correctly. Some of this involves talking with patients and/or health insurance companies on a regular basis to make sure all invoices are paid in a timely fashion. The biller should understand how to read medical invoices and coding language. This is perfect for someone who wants to have a balance of working with people (on the phone) and also spending time analyzing invoices and data.

Medical Coders on the other hand really don't have too much interaction with insurance companies and patients. This job is perfect for someone who would prefer to spend time analyzing and coding data. Every duty performed in a medical office has a particular code assigned to it, and it needs to be coded properly in order for proper billing. The Medical Coder and Biller often work together to make sure all invoices are paid properly.

Some smaller medical offices might have one employee handle both job functions, but many times these jobs are outsourced to a medical billing agency that can handle both jobs.

What are the working conditions like for medical billers and coders?

Many medical insurance billers and coders work in a typical office setting in cubicles with equipment such as computers, printers and telephones, generally in a healthcare facility or agency. The hours can vary from a usual 40-hour workweek to part time schedules and in some cases the opportunity to work extra hours for additional pay. You should verify these work schedule options with any employer prior to applying for work as a Medical Biller or Coder.

Some positions have a blended duty of billing and coding responsibilities and working with patients. The size of the organization you work for will be the main factor in determining whether the position will blend typical medical insurance billing and coding duties and interactions with patients. Keep in mind, working with patients can be challenging, as many times they are sick, contagious and short on patience!

What training do you need to work in medical insurance billing and coding?

Knowledge of medical terminology is extremely important for reading and understanding the contents of a patient's chart. Reading a chart entails knowing the procedures applied and the reasons why. In order to understand the medical terminology and medical billing codes, most employees in the medical billing field need to have training and education from either a vocational school or local college.

If you are interested in training you should seek out a program that includes:

• Medical Terminology
• Medical Billing Software
• Medical Documentation Evaluation
• Government Programs
• Basic Math
• Keyboard and Computer Skills
• Administrative Duties

Medical billing and coding training programs may involve practicing to manually and electronically prepare insurance claims. A good program will also teach you valuable interviewing and documenting skills.

You should take the time to do proper research on any school before enrolling in a medical billing and coding program.

Is it true that medical billers can work can work from home?

As mentioned above, there are a bunch of scams that advertise medical billing jobs where you can work at home. It's actually very difficult to work at home—especially when you're just getting started. Working at home requires a solid client base that usually takes years of experience working in this field. The U.S. Department of Labor most recently reported that only 3 percent of medical billers work at home. If you plan on working as a medical biller, don't have your hopes too high on working at home because that's very rare.

How much do medical billing clerks earn?

Education, experience and industry certification play a big role in how much a medical insurance biller or coder earns.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2009, the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $$31,290. The highest 10 percent earned more than $51,510.

What are some other jobs medical billers can do?

The training received from a medical insurance billing and coding course can possibly give you the skills to work in bookkeeping, payroll, accounting clerks, or medical administrative assistant. This will, of course, vary on your education and experience.

Got another question? Please contact us and let us know what you'd like to know!