Medical-Record Coder Job Description
Medical-record coders commonly work in hospitals' finance departments. Their job includes assigning industry-established codes to patient records and health-insurance claims. Medical-record coders also work for private practices, clinics, dental practices, nursing homes, nonprofit agencies and insurance companies. Some coders are able to telecommute.
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Function
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A medical-record coder assigns numeric or alphanumeric codes to classify diagnoses and procedures on patient records. Insurance companies use these codes to process claims and make payments to health care providers and reimburse patients for upfront payments.
Documentation
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A medical-record coder uses documentation from doctors, nurses and other health care staff to narrow down diagnoses and treatments for specific coding. Documentation includes charts, notes and laboratory results.
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Codes
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Medical-record coders must be proficient in using two manuals: One includes all of the coding for diseases and procedures, and the other contains codes specific to Medicare and Medicaid. Although coders generally remember numerous codes because of frequent use, they are not expected to do a lot of memorizing.
Data Entry
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After coders assign the classifications, they key this information into a computer database.
Additional Duties
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In smaller practices, medical-record coders might do general office work such as scheduling appointments and registering patients.
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