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Saturday, December 29, 2012

What Is Medical Coding?

By Nancy Andersen


The administrative side of the health care industry plays a large role in its overall success and a part of that is medical coding. Medical coders are responsible for going through patients charts and correctly assigning the codes that refer to the services and treatments rendered by health care providers. Medical coders have a number of responsibilities and low quality medical coding can have a number of negative effects. As our health care system is working towards improving the quality of care as well as decreasing the rising costs, medical coding is an area that can be looked into.

Medical coding classes and proper medical coding education has been shown to be the difference between a health care facility with highly functional medical coding department, and one that drives unnecessary costs. Medical coding classes are available for future medical coders as well as medical coders who are looking to expand their knowledge and form a more comprehensive look at their job responsibilities.

Medical coders can find educational opportunities and chances to become certified through a number of different health care organizations and programs. Through these programs medical coders can be educated about new developments, new methods as well as new techniques being used to ensure proper and accurate medical coding.

Much of the differences seen between health care providers with high quality medical coders and other providers is financial. When charts are improperly or inaccurately coded it causes for a number of difficulties for a health care facility. It can slow down the return on reimbursements made by health insurance companies or Medicare and Medicaid which in turn can have a negative effect on a facilities cash flow. Proper medical coding also allows facilities to be compensated for the correct amount of funds it took to care for the patient.

Creating a system that is cost effective and well run can be more achievable through the use of medical coding classes by professionals. It is necessary to put an emphasis on this area of the health care industry as there is a lot of potential to help rein in costs. Many believe that coding classes should be made mandatory as a part of medical coding employment.




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