Everything You Wanted to Know About Medical Billing and Coding

Everything You Wanted to Know About Medical Billing and Coding

The healthcare industry is already one of the largest industries in the United States and it’s expected to keep growing over the next decade. For example, jobs in medical billing and coding will see a rise of 13% by 2026, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. If a career in healthcare has caught your eye, but you prefer an office environment against the more hands-on aspects of medical careers, then medical billing and coding could be the best of both worlds for you.

On the Job Duties

Medical billing and coding specialists are responsible for managing health information data. Whenever any health care is provided to a patient by a health professional it must be documented electronically. Specialists assign clinical codes that represent the care and procedures administered by using classification systems like International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Aside from the tasks of coding and billing, specialists are also expected to handle administrative duties like scheduling patients, tracking their medical progress for quality assessment, and verifying insurance information.

What Has Changed with Billing and Coding

ICD-10 is the latest version of the ICD system, and includes over 69,000 new diagnosis codes. This number is 5 times more than its predecessor, ICD-9. It was implemented in the United States in 2015 and has since created a huge shift in the way medical records are updated. Medical records are now required to be uploaded electronically in order to make records more accessible for patients, improve the quality of care and protect patient privacy. Because of its complexity and importance, this new system requires more manpower, knowledge, and expertise. The projected job outlook is so strong because of this technological change.

What You Can Do Once You Graduate

Because jobs in medical billing and coding are a necessity for any medical facility, they allow for plenty of flexibility and choice for the specialist. This means you can choose the right work environment for you; whether that be an insurance company, physician’s office, or a long-term care facility. If a flexible and rewarding career in this field seems like a good fit for you, you can enroll in the Medical Billing and Coding program at one of our Porter and Chester Institute campuses and complete your certification in as little as nine months. (Not all programs available at all campuses.) Winter Term classes begin on January 22 at Porter and Chester Institute. For more information on how you can enroll, visit PorterChester.com or call 1-800-870-6789.