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How can I be good medical coder? |
How can I be good medical coder? Study Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) and medical terminology, there are also classes specifically about coding and reimbursement if you go for an Associate (RHIT) or Bachelor's (RHIA) in Health Information Management. Work experience means a lot too, coding gets better by doing it. The two main books are the ICD-9-CM (used in the USA), the ICD-10 (used outside of the USA) for diagnosis coding. ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases. Then theres CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) which is usually used for procedural coding. ICD also has a procedural section, but it seems like CPT is used more often. There's also DSM-IV for mental health coding (it's closely related to ICD as far as the actual codes go). And HCPCS for non-medical procedures, but that's getting a little more obscure. Source(s): Health Information Administrator for a mental health agency, I do the diagnostic coding as part of my job. I have both the Associate and Bachelor's degrees in HIM. Most other people in my position delegate the coding to an assistant, but I really like doing it and I'm kind of a control freak about getting it right. Oh yeah, I'm not sure how "cushy" my job is, but I must admit that I can come and go from work whenever I feel like it. My boss leaves me alone to make my own decisions about 95% of the time--I often go several days in a row without even seeing my boss. Okay, I guess that is pretty cushy. most community colleges have classes in it. take one. You need to know the ICD-9's and another kind. Also, you can get medical coding books. good luck. If you are going into the field of health information, I recommend investing the two years into an RHIT program. Having the RHIT certification can open doors for you well beyond medical coding. Although most graduates of the program begin in the coding department, being an RHIT could lead you into a very cushy management position later on. Also, the RHIT certification is preferred by most facilities when hiring a medical coder. Good luck! Hope this helps. |
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