Medical Coding

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Aug 26, 2023 08:23 PM

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medical-coding

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Medical Coding: An Essential Component of the Healthcare System

Defining Medical Coding

Medical coding refers to the crucial process of converting healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universally recognized medical alphanumeric codes [^1^][^2^][^3^][^4^]. Each unique medical code provides a concise and accurate description of a specific medical condition, symptom, diagnostic test, therapeutic procedure, or medical equipment, which is universally understandable by healthcare professionals and institutions around the world.

These codes find their usage in several important areas. They are integral to documenting patient medical histories, enabling healthcare providers to have detailed, accurate, and compact records of patient encounters, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes over time. Simultaneously, they support efficient billing procedures by providing simple and universally recognized codes that represent complex medical services and procedures, streamlining the process of billing and insurance claims [^1^][^2^][^3^][^4^].

Currently, the two key types of codes used are the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)®. The ICD is a comprehensive classification system for health diseases and related health problems, and the CPT® provides a standardized classification for medical, surgical, and diagnostic services [^1^][^2^][^3^].

The Role of Medical Coders

Medical coders are the professionals who undertake the key task of translating physicians' reports, procedural details, and associated medical information into these medical codes [^1^][^2^][^3^][^4^]. They have the responsibility to maintain the accuracy, uniformity, and consistency of the coded information to ensure the smooth functioning of the health information management system.

Medical coders work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, clinics, urgent care facilities, nursing homes, treatment centers, insurance agencies, education institutions, healthcare consulting services, and even law firms [^1^][^3^][^4^]. Besides their technical footprint, they also play a critical role in supporting quality healthcare service delivery, facilitating the continuity of care, and aiding public health surveillance.

Professional medical coders need to possess a range of technical skills related to coding classification systems and software, along with transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and organization [^1^][^2^][^3^][^4^]. They require a comprehensive understanding of medical terminologies, anatomy, and pathophysiology. However, non-technical traits such as strong ethical standards, attention to detail, focus, efficiency, and an even-keeled demeanor are equally essential.

Career in Medical Coding

Pursuing a career in medical coding requires specialized training and certification. Courses such as the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program by Rasmussen University offer a pathway to becoming a medical coder, which can be completed online in as few as nine months. Post completion of the program, acquiring credentials such as the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) will potentially elevate the employment prospects [^1^][^2^][^3^][^4^].

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 9 percent employment growth in the field of medical coding till 2030. The median annual salary for medical coders in 2020 was $45,240, which slightly exceeds the national average income for all occupations [^1^][^2^][^3^].

Conclusion

In essence, medical coding plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the healthcare system. It not only supports robust health information management but also facilitates effective billing, research, and statistical data collection processes. It further enables the tracing of disease patterns across populations, contributing valuable information to national health trends and prevention strategies. As healthcare continues to grow in complexity and specialized services, the demand for trained and certified medical coders is expected to increase, making medical coding a lucrative career choice in the healthcare sector.

References

[^1^]: AAPC. (n.d.). What is medical coding?

[^2^]: American Medical Association. (n.d.). The CPT Professional Edition guidelines provide coding direction and CPT code descriptions with important information to guide the users' CPT code selection.

[^3^]: Medical Billing and Coding. (n.d.). Learn More about Coding.

[^4^]: Rasmussen University. (n.d.). What Is a Medical Coder?

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