How to Become a Medical Coder

Contempo Coding
9 Feb 202310:54
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRVictoria, a medical coder auditor educator, shares insights on pursuing a career in medical coding. She emphasizes the importance of obtaining certification through AAPC or AHIMA, highlights the flexibility and growth potential in the field, and offers a free master class for those interested. Victoria also provides tips on job searching and networking within the industry, emphasizing the value of continuous learning and precision in medical coding.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Medical coding is a blend of technology and medical records, translating patient information into coded data.
  • 🎯 The process involves abstracting diagnoses, procedures, medications, and services into designated code sets.
  • 🏥 Medical coders often work from home, enjoying flexibility and a good work-life balance.
  • 📈 Coding is crucial for data tracking, research, and efficient viewing of health data across platforms.
  • 🏆 Certification is typically required for employment, with AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCS being the most sought-after.
  • 🌐 Networking and job searching directly on healthcare organization or insurance company websites can improve employment chances.
  • 📊 Medical coding is a growing career with a variety of specialties and continuous learning opportunities.
  • 💡 Productivity and efficiency are key in medical coding, with varying productivity levels based on organization and experience.
  • 🎓 Continuing education is necessary to maintain certification and stay current with changes in regulations and guidelines.
  • 🔍 Finding the first job can be challenging and may require strategic resume updates and networking.
  • 🛠️ Apprenticeship status can be removed with two years of experience or through specific education or coding modules.
Q & A

  • What is the primary role of a medical coder?

    -A medical coder's primary role is to review medical records, abstract diagnoses, procedures, medications, and services provided to patients, and translate this information into designated code sets for billing and data tracking purposes.

  • What is the difference between medical coding and medical billing?

    -While medical coding involves translating medical services into codes, medical billing focuses on using those codes to submit claims to insurance companies for reimbursement. Both are important but distinct aspects of the healthcare financial process.

  • What are the key certifications for medical coders?

    -The key certifications for medical coders are through AAPC (Certified Professional Coder - CPC) and AHIMA (Certified Coding Specialist - CCS), with the CPC being the most widely sought after by employers.

  • How can one prepare for a career in medical coding?

    -One can prepare for a career in medical coding by obtaining the appropriate certification through recognized organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, and by gaining a solid understanding of medical terminology and coding practices.

  • What are some strategies for finding a job as a medical coder?

    -Job-seeking strategies for medical coders include directly visiting healthcare organization or insurance company websites, searching for specific coding skills on job platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn, and networking through professional organizations like AAPC's local chapters.

  • What is the apprenticeship status for CPC and COC certifications?

    -The apprenticeship status is a requirement for the CPC and COC certifications, which can be removed by proving two years of experience with codes or by completing 80 hours of education through a training curriculum, or by successfully coding cases through the Practicode module offered by AAPC.

  • How does the medical coding industry contribute to healthcare research?

    -The medical coding industry contributes to healthcare research by providing coded data that allows for tracking and analyzing patient populations, disease prevalence, treatment effectiveness, and other health-related trends.

  • What are some of the benefits of a career in medical coding?

    -Benefits of a career in medical coding include the potential for remote work, a good work-life balance, the opportunity for lifelong learning, and career growth through specialization and continuing education.

  • What is the importance of productivity in medical coding?

    -Productivity in medical coding is crucial as it affects the efficiency and accuracy of translating medical records into code sets. High productivity levels are essential for meeting organizational benchmarks and ensuring timely and accurate billing and reimbursement processes.

  • How often do medical coders need to update their knowledge and skills?

    -Medical coders need to continuously update their knowledge and skills due to frequent changes in coding practices, insurance guidelines, and federal regulations. This ensures they stay current and maintain their certification.

  • What are some common misconceptions about entering the medical coding field?

    -Some common misconceptions include the belief that finding a job is easy immediately after certification and that the field is not suitable for lifelong learning or those seeking a dynamic career. In reality, job searching requires strategy and persistence, and the field offers constant learning opportunities.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 Introduction to Medical Coding

The video introduces the viewer to the medical coding industry, highlighting its appeal as a work-from-home job that doesn't require a college degree. Victoria, a medical coder auditor educator and content creator, offers tips and tutorials for success in the field. She encourages viewers to subscribe for updates and provides a link to her free master class for those interested in starting a career in medical coding. The video aims to provide a roadmap for entering the career quickly and efficiently, without incurring student loan debt.

05:01
📚 Understanding Medical Coding

Medical coding is described as the process of translating medical diagnoses, procedures, and services into designated codes. These codes are crucial for billing and data tracking, enabling research and efficient data analysis across healthcare platforms. The video explains that while medical coding involves a significant billing aspect, it also plays a key role in data analysis for research purposes. It emphasizes the importance of certification through recognized organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, with the CPC certification being highly sought after by employers.

10:03
🔍 Job Prospects and Networking in Medical Coding

The video discusses the flexibility and work-life balance offered by medical coding jobs, including the option to work from home. It highlights the need for medical terminology knowledge and the importance of productivity and continuous learning in the field. The video also addresses the challenge of finding the first job in medical coding and provides strategies for job hunting, such as networking and utilizing specific search terms. It suggests joining local chapters of professional organizations for networking opportunities and job leads. Lastly, it advises on removing apprenticeship status by gaining experience or completing specific educational modules.

🚀 Growth Opportunities in Medical Coding

The video concludes by emphasizing the growth potential in medical coding, with opportunities to specialize in various areas such as OB-GYN, cardiology, risk adjustment coding, compliance, or auditing. It encourages viewers to start their journey in medical coding through the provided master class link and assures them of a rewarding career that is like solving puzzles and offers continuous learning and development opportunities.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Medical Coding
Medical coding is the process of translating healthcare diagnoses, procedures, and services into standardized code sets. It is essential for billing and insurance reimbursement, as well as for tracking and analyzing healthcare data. In the video, the speaker explains that medical coders read through medical records and abstract data, translating it into codes that are used for various purposes, including research and data tracking.
💡Work from Home
The term 'work from home' refers to a flexible work arrangement where employees perform their job duties from home rather than commuting to a physical workplace. In the context of the video, the speaker highlights that medical coding is a popular work-from-home job, which appeals to many people due to the flexibility and lack of need for a college degree.
💡Certification
Certification in the context of medical coding refers to the professional credentials that one must obtain to practice as a medical coder. Organizations like AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) offer certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist). These certifications are often required by employers and demonstrate a coder's competence and knowledge.
💡Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
Electronic Medical Records, or EMRs, are digital versions of patients' paper charts. EMRs make information accessible and shareable across different healthcare settings. In medical coding, EMRs can provide prompts or contain information that coders use to abstract data and assign the correct codes to diagnoses and procedures.
💡Medical Terminology
Medical terminology is the specialized language used in the healthcare industry, consisting of terms and phrases that describe various aspects of patient care, diseases, and procedures. Knowledge of medical terminology is crucial for medical coders as it allows them to understand and accurately code the services documented in patient records.
💡Productivity
In the context of medical coding, productivity refers to the efficiency and speed at which a coder can accurately assign codes to medical records. High productivity is essential as it affects the coder's ability to meet deadlines and handle a large volume of records, which can vary based on the organization and other factors.
💡Continuing Education
Continuing education is the process of regularly updating and enhancing one's professional knowledge and skills throughout their career. For medical coders, this involves staying current with changes in coding practices, regulations, and healthcare guidelines to maintain their certification and remain competent in their field.
💡Networking
Networking refers to the development of professional relationships and connections that can provide access to job opportunities, industry insights, and support. In the medical coding industry, networking can be particularly beneficial through organizations like AAPC, which has local chapters that can help coders learn about job openings and build relationships with other professionals in their area.
💡Apprenticeship Status
Apprenticeship status is a designation given to newly certified professionals, such as medical coders, who are required to gain practical experience before they can fully practice without supervision. For medical coders with certifications like CPC or COC, the apprenticeship status can be removed by demonstrating two years of experience or by completing certain educational requirements.
💡Career Growth
Career growth refers to the potential for advancement and development within a professional field. In medical coding, this can involve moving from one specialty to another, transitioning from coding to auditing or compliance roles, or simply expanding one's skillset and knowledge base. The video emphasizes the continuous learning aspect of medical coding, which opens up various growth opportunities.
Highlights

Medical coding is a combination of technology and medical records, translating patient information into designated code sets.

Medical coders play a crucial role in billing, data tracking, and research by abstracting diagnoses, procedures, and services from medical records.

The medical coding industry offers popular work-from-home job opportunities without requiring a college degree.

To become a medical coder, one must obtain certification through organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, with the CPC certification being widely sought after by employers.

Medical coding does not require clinical knowledge but does demand proficiency in medical terminology and the ability to analyze insurance guidelines and regulations.

Productivity in medical coding varies greatly, and the job is well-suited for lifelong learners who enjoy continuous learning and adaptation.

Finding the first job in medical coding can be challenging and may require strategic resume building and networking.

Networking with local AAPC chapters can improve job prospects by connecting with other coders and learning about job openings.

To remove the apprenticeship status from the CPC certification, one must prove two years of experience or complete 80 hours of education through a training curriculum.

Medical coding is a growing career with a variety of specialties and learning opportunities, offering significant growth potential.

The Preppy program is recommended for those looking to start a career in medical coding, providing a comprehensive education and roadmap.

Medical coders are part of a larger healthcare team and must communicate efficiently with other healthcare professionals.

The medical coding industry is essential for efficient data analysis, which is used for research and understanding healthcare trends.

Certification through AAPC or AHIMA is a prerequisite for most medical coding positions, with the CPC certification being particularly valued.

Medical coding requires precision, efficiency, and the ability to stay updated with continuing education units for certification maintenance.

The medical coding field offers flexibility and a better work-life balance compared to other healthcare career choices.

Transcripts

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Medical CodingCareer GuidanceWork from HomeCertificationAAPCAHIMAEducationNetworkingHealthcareVictoria