There are two common medical coding classification systems that are in use. They include the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The ICD is an international system that classifies the mortality and morbidity statistics. More than 100 countries use it. This system is used in…

When taking a CPC examination, it isn’t only about completing it with a passing score of 70% or higher. To obtain a certification from the AAPC, you need at least two years of experience in the field. It seems like because of this, new coders wouldn’t be taking the CPC…

The AHIMA or American Health Information Management Association has been operating in the health information management area for 90 years. This organization is recognized globally and involves highly skilled health information management professionals. They advance health informatics and develop guidelines for the medical coding and billing areas, leading the way…

By researching the requirements for medical coding certification, you have already taken the first step to a successful career. Today, employers are seeking candidates with a solid educational background and relevant experience because the field is getting more complex, competitive, and demanding. With a medical coding certification, you will have…

In this article, we’re going to take a look at medical billing in the real world. Below, there are a few examples of how you can create claims. Example 1 We’re going to use the same example as we did for the medical coding. After examining the patient and conducting…

Now is a good time to consider a career in the medical billing and coding industry. The health care system in America is modernizing as a significant part of the population is retiring. So the demand for health care professionals who can process data is increasing. As the Bureau of…

In the American economy, healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors. Almost $8,000 per year per capita Americans spend on healthcare, and a large portion of that money is spent on health insurance. Article Table of Contents1 How Health Insurance Works2 Indemnity3 Managed Care3.1 Health Management Organization (HMO)3.2 Preferred Provider…

If you are interested in medical coding and billing or you want to advance your current medical coding or billing career, you can consider obtaining certification. Professionals who hold certifications have more benefits, such as increased salary and job opportunities. Depending on the level of education you’re seeking, certification programs…

The idea of being self-employed is very empowering. But as with any new business, you should consider some things before launching your business. You need to understand your options and how a home-based work will fit with your goals and needs. The first step to the right decision is learning…

HCPCS modifiers work similarly to CPT modifiers. These code sets are so similar that you can often use modifiers from one code set with another. For instance, the -LT modifier in the HCPCS code set is often used in the CPT codes to describe a bilateral procedure that was only…

The demand for medical coders and billers is high in today’s market. You don’t need a degree for either position, however, you need to obtain professional certification from the AAPC or the American Health Information Management Association. The AAPC also provides certifications for professional medical billers on their website, which…

Finishing an internship while taking courses in medical billing or coding is an excellent option for students. It allows them to gain knowledge and experience necessary for the new job once they get the certification. It’s important to remember that most internships are unpaid. Their payoff is the experience they…

The following scenarios, coding examples, and medical reports are theoretical. Some were simplified for space while others are included only as teaching examples. Example 1 Let’s begin with a quite straightforward visit to a doctor. So, the patient is in his late 20s and visits this doctor for the first…

Commercial health insurance is issued by private companies and non-governmental organizations. Government-sponsored health insurance is usually available for specific groups of people, such as senior citizens, disabled people, people with low income, current military members and their families, veterans, members of Native-American tribes federally recognized. Government-sponsored insurance includes Medicare, Medicaid,…

Just like billing private payers, billers should send claims to Medicaid and Medicare. These are similar claims to those they send to private third-party payers. There are some notable exceptions, though. Since these programs are high-volume government payers, billers should send claims directly to Medicaid and Medicare. It means that…

Health insurance is one of the essential investments we make. Injuries, diseases, and other medical incidents can be extremely expensive if they require hospital visits or surgery. Securing health coverage is the only way to be sure you aren’t stuck with enormous medical bills that you have to cover out-of-pocket….