Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Medical Coding

By Nancy Andersen


There are many different aspects of the health care system that rely on medical coding as a way to evaluate, and calculate payments and reimbursements. Both health insurance companies as well as government organizations use medical coding as a way to understand patients charts and treatment history. Medical coders are responsible for reading, understanding and coding patients medical charts and records. This job requires a attention to detail as well as education, training and experience. Assigning charts with the correct codes has an impact on a number of different aspects and consequences can be both negative and positive.

Continuing education within the profession of medical coders is an important part of creating a high quality and efficient medical coding department. Medical coding is an area that is constantly developing and changing with new methods and codes being introduced often. It is an important part of the job to be abreast of the newest methodologies and this can be accomplished through taking medical coding classes. Medical coding classes will help any medical coder stay on top of the changes, and avoid common coding errors.

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.

Another benefit of attending medical coding classes on a regular basis is the ability to minimize on the amount of errors found within patient charts. When errors are found the charts are submitted back to the health care facility which takes time and slows the reimbursement time. When medical coders are well experienced and educated they will produce fewer errors and inaccuracies.

When medical coding is not done accurately or is done incompletely, errors are made and can influence the health care providers. Many people believe that it should be required for medical coders to have taken coding classes as well as to attend a certain number of classes in a year. This could help improve accuracy of medical coding which can reflect positively on other aspects of the health care industry.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment