The world's population is aging, and more health-related problems, and resulting procedures, treatments, and tests, are on the horizon. Also, medical records are transitioning from papers in manila folders to computer-based records, a major shift in office infrastructure. For these reasons, medical billing jobs, it is anticipated, will multiply much more quickly than the average profession, within the next ten years.
Billers ensure the security, accuracy, accessibility, and quality of patient records. For every patient appointment, in doctor's offices, and in hospitals, a CPT code is assigned. The CPT code is paired to a diagnostic code, called an IPD code. A biller's job is to record codes, and then to prepare claims, to be sent to insurance companies. From insurance companies, doctors and hospitals are reimbursed for the services they perform.
A biller has little or no interactions with patients, and provides no patient care. Instead, billers work in the back offices of physician's practices, or hospitals, focusing mostly on computer work. Most billers work forty hours per week, Monday through Friday, although some do work part-time. If an office is open twenty-four hours per day, a biller may work a day, an evening, or a night shift.
Good billers have several common characteristics. To become a billing specialist, a person should be great with numbers, and have stellar attention to detail. Also, specialists should be comfortable with computers, and with coding and billing software. In addition, good interpersonal skills allow billers to communicate well with doctors and insurance providers. Most of all, billers should enjoy learning, because continuing education is required to maintain certification.
Billers must earn their high school diploma. To obtain their certification, candidates usually complete an associate's degree, from an accredited program, either in the online, or in the classroom. Once the program is complete, billers may earn the title of Certified Professional Coder, after they pass an exam given by the American Academy of Professional Coders. Although the AAPC does recommend courses in medical terminology, and anatomy, the courses are not required.
Billers enjoy some opportunities for promotion. A biller's role may be a stepping stone to jobs in office operations, or even in office management. The downside of the job is that it affords little patient interaction, and it may prove to be very routine.
Medical billing specialists work in both hospitals and in private practices. After completing accredited courses, students become Certified Professional Coders, credentialed by the American Academy of Professional Coders. Billers prevent fraudulent claims, prevent errors in payment, and recover professional reimbursements for doctors.
Billers ensure the security, accuracy, accessibility, and quality of patient records. For every patient appointment, in doctor's offices, and in hospitals, a CPT code is assigned. The CPT code is paired to a diagnostic code, called an IPD code. A biller's job is to record codes, and then to prepare claims, to be sent to insurance companies. From insurance companies, doctors and hospitals are reimbursed for the services they perform.
A biller has little or no interactions with patients, and provides no patient care. Instead, billers work in the back offices of physician's practices, or hospitals, focusing mostly on computer work. Most billers work forty hours per week, Monday through Friday, although some do work part-time. If an office is open twenty-four hours per day, a biller may work a day, an evening, or a night shift.
Good billers have several common characteristics. To become a billing specialist, a person should be great with numbers, and have stellar attention to detail. Also, specialists should be comfortable with computers, and with coding and billing software. In addition, good interpersonal skills allow billers to communicate well with doctors and insurance providers. Most of all, billers should enjoy learning, because continuing education is required to maintain certification.
Billers must earn their high school diploma. To obtain their certification, candidates usually complete an associate's degree, from an accredited program, either in the online, or in the classroom. Once the program is complete, billers may earn the title of Certified Professional Coder, after they pass an exam given by the American Academy of Professional Coders. Although the AAPC does recommend courses in medical terminology, and anatomy, the courses are not required.
Billers enjoy some opportunities for promotion. A biller's role may be a stepping stone to jobs in office operations, or even in office management. The downside of the job is that it affords little patient interaction, and it may prove to be very routine.
Medical billing specialists work in both hospitals and in private practices. After completing accredited courses, students become Certified Professional Coders, credentialed by the American Academy of Professional Coders. Billers prevent fraudulent claims, prevent errors in payment, and recover professional reimbursements for doctors.
