Medical coding and billing are specialized terms and processes that many people mistakenly regard as the very same thing. In reality, they are actually specific and separate entities, each with its own purpose. Read on below for an exploration of the difference between medical billing and coding.
Exploring the Basics of Medical Billing and Coding Online
Although both medical billing and medical coding are essential components of functional healthcare organizations and systems, they have distinct areas of focus that work together to deliver results.
Understanding What Medical Billing and Coding Entail
In many ways, medical coding can be viewed as a specialized component of medical billing. However, medical coding is directly concerned with clearly communicating and precisely reporting billable services, while medical billing is directly concerned with submitting claims and receiving payment for services. Specifically, medical coding translates medical procedures into a universal language that healthcare organizations, insurance providers, and government agencies all immediately understand. Medical billing involves using these codes to accurately bill and receive proper payment from insurance companies, government programs, and/or individual patients.
The Importance of Medical Coding and Billing in Healthcare
From guaranteeing accurate patient data to reducing overall healthcare costs, modern medical billing and coding processes drive today’s healthcare system by facilitating payment transactions and giving medical providers the financial assets they need to operate. Beyond making billing processes far more efficient, medical coding systematically documents medical procedures to aid in data collection, research efforts, and patient care tracking. By helping medical practitioners receive fair compensation for their services, medical billing ensures that patients can get the care they need when they need it.
Getting Started in Medical Billing and Coding
Because medical billing and medical coding activities involve a variety of processes and serve a variety of purposes, people who want to enter these professional fields must seek relevant education and training programs. If you are equally interested in billing and coding as a medical records specialist, you can find a program that covers both. Even better, you can complete this program entirely online.
Essential Equipment and Resources for Beginners
To get started as a medical billing/coding student, you will need a reliable computer with enough processing power to run multiple billing and coding applications at the same time. In addition to using a comfortable mouse and keyboard, you might want to consider a setup with two or more monitors to support multiple open work windows.
Other important tools and resources for aspiring medical billing/coding professionals include the healthcare industry codebooks Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding Systems (HCPCS), and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Each of these publications outlines standardized systems for classifying and describing medical procedures, diagnoses, equipment, and supplies. Medical billing/coding students will also want to become proficient with applicable spreadsheet and word processing applications as well as specific types of electronic health record (EHR), document management, and coding software.
Key Skills and Qualifications Needed
Aside from familiarizing themselves with relevant software and the guidelines of the ICD, HCPCS, and CPT, aspiring billing/coding professionals must hone a razor-sharp attention to detail and develop exceptional problem-solving skills to deal with daily processing challenges. Because they tend to work in teams and must interact with a diverse array of professionals in the medical and insurance industries, billing/coding demands outstanding communication. Task organization and time management are also valuable billing and coding skills.
To ensure that they have the right qualifications for their chosen career paths, billing/coding students and working professionals will want to consider pursuing one or more industry certifications — including the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Professional Biller (CPB) from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). You may also choose to become a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Step-by-Step Guide to Learning Medical Billing and Coding Online
Before committing to an online education or training path in medical billing/coding, conduct a thorough self-assessment to evaluate your level of interest and ability to commit to this particular line of study. If you are ready and willing to learn often complex medical terminology and interact confidently with doctors and insurance agents, then you can take the first steps in your medical billing/coding journey.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Online Program
Your chosen online medical billing/coding program should reflect the practical needs of your chosen career path in terms of professional focus and desired work environment. Beyond career implications, you should also carefully evaluate time commitment and budgetary concerns when deciding between your available certificate, diploma, and associate degree program options.
Step 2: Enrolling and Starting Your Program
After identifying the right program for you, ensure that you meet its admission requirements. For example, most medical billing/coding programs only accept applicants who have a high school diploma or GED. After successfully completing the entire admissions process, you can expect to enroll in online program coursework promptly.
Step 3: Navigating Online Learning Tools and Resources
To get the most out of your chosen medical billing/coding program, access and leverage available online tools and resources wisely. For example, take advantage of access to the ICD, HCPCS, and CPT to complete coursework and prepare yourself for professional success. Additionally, don’t pass up any opportunities to connect with alumni or working medical billers/coders, and consider joining industry organizations such as the AAPC and AHIMA.
Step 4: Completing Coursework and Practical Assignments
To effectively and efficiently tackle the workload you will face as a medical billing/coding student, aim to establish a clear study plan and stick to it. This is particularly important for students who are working full-time, raising children, or focused on other obligations as they complete coursework and practical assignments.
Step 5: Preparing for Certification Exams
Obtaining official certification as a CPC, CPB, CBCS, CCS, or any other valuable professional designations requires passing a certification exam. These exams are typically quite rigorous and require a considerable amount of guided preparation. Fortunately, a quality medical billing and coding program can prepare you for these exams while you build other vital professional skills in areas ranging from communication to time management.
Career Pathways After Completing Your Program
Graduates of accredited medical billing or coding programs can choose among numerous specialized career pathways within the overarching medical billing/coding industry. While many of these might require additional academic or on-the-job training, billing/coding program graduates should have the foundation of knowledge and ability necessary to work toward more specialized professional goals.
Overview of Career Opportunities in Medical Coding and Billing
With the proper credentials, new medical billing and coding professionals can readily assume positions as medical coders, medical records technicians, patient access managers, and billing/reimbursement specialists. As they progress in their careers, these professionals can become coding auditors/directors or specialize in outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and other specific forms of medical coding.
Tips for Job Hunting and Networking in the Field
Beyond communicating with working professionals and joining key industry organizations (as suggested above), you can gain practical experience while establishing valuable career connections by engaging in volunteer work or completing an internship or externship. Seek out industry-specific job boards to find relevant postings. Other networking tips for aspiring medical billing/coding professionals include getting referrals to worthwhile secondary connections, helping all professional contacts whenever you can, and generally treating contacts with gratitude and respect.
FAQ
If you are considering a career training in medical billing/coding, you may have asked yourself one or more of the following questions:
What is the average time to complete an online medical billing and coding program?
While you can complete extremely basic medical billing and coding courses in as few as four months, more detailed programs can last 15 months or more. The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Diploma program at Florida Technical College, for example, offers comprehensive medical billing and coding training over a nine-month period.
Can I work from home as a medical biller and coder?
Because much of their work is done on digital platforms, medical billing and coding professionals can easily work from home or anywhere else with a reliable internet connection. Many organizations offer remote medical billing and coding positions, and some medical billing and coding professionals even start their own businesses from home.
How do I choose between medical billing and coding?
Because medical billing and coding function together, many professionals choose to train in both disciplines simultaneously. However, medical billers must enjoy working with other people as they regularly reach out to medical providers, insurance companies, and patients. Coders, in contrast, should excel at data analysis and other technical skills.
What are the continuing education requirements?
Specific continuing education requirements as a medical billing or coding professional will depend on your particular professional certification and employer. However, most billers/coders will need to accumulate a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
Is certification necessary to work in medical billing and coding?
Different medical billing and coding employers have differing demands when it comes to certification and training. Even if not strictly mandatory in all cases, certification and training can significantly enhance your employment prospects.
Further Your Education in Medical Billing and Coding
To learn more about this essential field, consider enrolling in the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Diploma program at Florida Technical College. Request further information and reach out with any questions to begin your journey today.
This article presents a general overview of the field of medical billing and coding, including job opportunities within that field; it does not describe the educational objectives or expected employment outcomes of a particular Florida Technical College program. Florida Technical College does not guarantee that students will obtain employment or any particular job. Some positions may require licensure or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular career you desire.
Sources
https://ftccollege.edu/program/diploma/medical-billing-and-coding-specialist-diploma/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
https://codingclarified.com/essential-medical-coding-tools-for-your-personal-toolbox/
https://codingclarified.com/best-way-to-learn-medical-coding-2/
https://www.amnhealthcare.com/blog/revenue-cycle/can-i-learn-medical-coding-at-home/
https://www.enter.health/post/medical-billing-vs-medical-coding-main-differences
https://www.aapc.com/resources/what-is-medical-coding-certification
https://www.aapc.com/resources/medical-billing-coding-certification
