Daily Duties of a Medical Coder
Like many jobs in the health care industry, the field of medical coding is in high demand. In a short period of time, you can be well on your way to a rewarding new career that offers a good income and a job that is well respected in the medical field.
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Definition and Duties of a Medical Coder
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A medical coder is a vital part of the medical administrative team that specializes in the billing process. Whenever you have a doctor's visit, a claim or invoice is generated through the computer and specifically coded to the care and service you have received while at the office. Medical coders are responsible for preparing each patient invoice for the billing process and carefully adding and analyzing the costs for services received. Once you receive your invoice, the medical coder in charge of your account then processes and files your claim.
Additional Responsibilities
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There is a large amount of sorting and filing of information that the medical coder must enter into the office computer system. As a medical coder, you will regularly handle insurance claims, as well as insurance fraud claims. Medical coders work with confidential patient records and are responsible for collections. In many offices, medical coders are often called medical reimbursement professionals. Their work is essential in keeping money coming into the office and ultimately keeping the business afloat.
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Education Requirements
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Medical coding training programs can be found at technical and vocational schools and most allied health schools. The average program takes about nine months to complete and leads to certification. Some two-year community colleges may also offer an associate degree program in medical coding. Distance learning to become a medical coder is also available in a large number of online courses that allow you to work at your own pace from your home.
Job Opportunities
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Once you are a certified medical coder, employment opportunities can be found in a wide variety of areas. Hospitals and other large medical facilities employee medical coders, as do private doctors' offices and clinics. Nursing homes and home health care agencies also employ qualified medical coders. Many medical coders choose to work from home, finding contract work through smaller physicians' offices that do not have full-time medical coders on staff.
Pay for Medical Coders
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According to a July 2009 survey by Payscale.com, the average starting salary for a beginning medical coder is about $12.20 per hour, or $25,376 a year if employed full time. With at least one year of job experience as a medical coder, you can expect to average about $12.94 per hour or at least $26,915 yearly. Certified medical coders who have five or more years of job experience can generally earn at least $30,409 a year, or $14.62 an hour, and those medical coders who have been on the job at least a decade or more can expect to earn at least $15.42 an hour, or about $32,073 each year.
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