What Does a Medical Coder Do?
Medical coders have become the main link in the medical sector. They convert all the medical records, including the patient data, into alphanumeric codes. The answer to what a medical coder does is, that they document patient data into alphanumeric codes. These universally accepted alphanumeric codes are used for billing, transfer of info among different stakeholders, and record keeping.
What is a Medical Coder?
A medical coder is a certified specialist who documents all the patient information and health data in alphanumeric codes. The medical coder will use custom-designed software or internationally approved-manuals for the conversion.
Medical Coder Job Description and Responsibilities
A medical coder’s basic responsibility is to convert the medical data into alphanumeric codes. He or she will assign the specified codes to medical processes, diseases, diagnoses, and treatment programs.
The job of a medical coder and the responsibilities include:
- Assigning the Alphanumeric Codes: The standardized international codes must be assigned to the medical data. The main role of a medical coder is to convert the documents into universally accepted standardized codes.
- Compliance with Regulatory Conditions: Medical coding rules, healthcare regulations, universal laws related to the medical sector, and so on are subjected to amendments. Medical coder duties involve implementing the necessary changes.
- Reviewing Medical Data and Making Corrections: The document may have errors. People may make mistakes or use codes that are not in use. It can result in unforeseen complications. A medical coder with adequate knowledge and approved certification can resolve this issue.
- Accuracy of Coded Medical Documents: In line with the previous point, a medical coder job profile involves ensuring data accuracy. The patient will face complications with reimbursement and further treatment if the medical codes are wrong.
- Auditing of Medical Documents: Medical coder duties will differ depending on the department s/he is working. Hence the answer to the question of what a medical coder does will differ. The medical coder’s responsibility includes auditing medical documents as well.
- Quality Assurance in the Medical Data: Healthcare info will be in the coded format. The medical coder’s role is to confirm that the medical coding is in the requisite standards. Anything below the standard is not acceptable.
To know more about the role of a medical coder and medical coder job profile, you may connect with us.
Who Can Be a Medical Coder?
A medical coder is responsible for preparing alphanumeric codes, based on the medical documents. 10+2 is the minimum qualification required to become a medical coder. The medical coder certifications are:
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC): The internationally approved medical coding certification, CPC is established by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is accepted worldwide and hence students choose this to become successful medical coders.
- International Classification of Diseases (ICD): International Classification of Diseases is another widely accepted medical coding specialization.
- Certified Coding Specialist (CCS): The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers CCS. This medical coding certification assures a job at the desired location.
The medical coders will be learning medical terminologies, common diseases and medical conditions, the anatomy of the human body, treatment methodologies, and other key elements of the medical field. A keen understanding of the medical sector is vital for performing the role of a medical coder efficiently.
The medical coder’s job profile will indicate the specialized training the coder received. The medical coder’s responsibilities and roles are wide and important. Hence medical organizations including hospitals hire adequately trained and certified manpower only.
Why Choose a Career as a Medical Coder?
Any person with 10+2 (or graduation) can become a medical coder. The certification course at a reputed institution is vital for obtaining a job at an international entities. The US medical coding certifications are normally chosen by most hospitals.
The answers to why chose a career as a medical coder are:
- Job Opportunities: Those with medical coding qualifications can opt for jobs at organizations like hospitals, clinics, medical billing authorities, insurance companies healthcare departments under the government, and so on. The vast options make it easier to identify and pick one’s interested field/ organization.
- Salary: A medical coder’s salary in the starting itself is around 30K (which may change with time and conditions). The package will change with the type of company and location. Further, there is a good scope for professional growth.
Youngsters nowadays prefer jobs as soon as they complete 10+2 or graduate. Of course, it is painful to search around for a job, without any effective results. A successful profession is what everyone seeks. The medical coder role has become so important in the medical field, that every related organization hires medical coders.
Path to Becoming a Medical Coder
To put it straight, the path to becoming a medical coder is simple. Nevertheless, the medical coding job is neither simple nor easy. One must have the knowledge, skills, and capabilities to perform well.
The steps to joining the medical coding profession are:
- Qualify 10+2
- Learn medical terminologies
- Obtain medical coding certification
Once you have achieved the above-mentioned, you are ready to perform medical coder duties. You can apply to the organization of your choice and get a job.
Relevance of Medical Coders in Modern Healthcare
Medical coders have an undeniable role in the healthcare sector presently. Organizations in the medical field including hospitals and health insurance firms require the service of medical coders. That is why medical coding courses have seen such a surge in the recent past.
Our Observation
Although the medical coding jobs have become a trend, we expect a quantum leap in the medical coding jobs in the next couple of years. As the medical field has become interconnected globally medical tourism is on the rise. Medical data transfer and information sharing are easy with medical coding.
Contact us right now, if you are looking to know more about medical coding courses or the medical coding profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a medical coder?
10+2 is the qualification to join the medical coding course. Once you have obtained the internationally approved medical coding qualification, you can become a medical coder.
What is a medical coder?
A medical coder translates medical documents, including health data, diagnosis, treatment, details of the disease, etc into universally accepted alphanumeric codes.
Who can act as a coder?
A medical coding qualified professional can work as a medical coder. The medical coding industry has been witnessing unparalleled growth with the popularisation of medical tourism and recent global medical crises.
What is the difference between a medical scribe and a medical coder?
Although working in the medical industry, medical scribe and medical coder are two different professions. A medical coder converts medical documents into alphanumeric codes. A medical scribe will be documenting the health and medical data of a patient. This includes the interaction between the doctor and the patient.