Medical Coding Specialist, what they
do
and how OAK Horizons can help
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND WITH KNOWLEDGE
Medical careers are the fastest growing careers in the world.
Our aging population heightens the need for visits and treatment in the medical community resulting in patient care, documentation, and billing.
Medical coding (or clinical coding) specialist reviews and analyzes health records online or in paper form to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for specific patient encounters. The medical coding specialist is responsible for translating diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into coded form. The coded information that is a product of the coding process is then utilized for reimbursement purposes (payment to the medical provider or healthcare organization), in the assessment of clinical care, to support medical research activity and to support the identification of healthcare concerns critical to the public at large.
Medical coders must understand medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment assessments. They must be able to interpret the written or transcribed medical jargon found in the medical record, healthcare record, electronic application, billing form, etc.
Medical coding is another rewarding career and important to the healthcare team supporting quality care, financial viability of the medical provider, and research outcomes. Medical coders more often work within a facility such as physician offices, hospitals, health insurance offices, nursing homes, medical billing companies, home healthcare services, etc but have also started the trend to work from home. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics states the demand for medical coders will increase because of the rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments and procedures that will be scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers.
Two professional associations that support medical coders are the American Health Information Management Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders. OAK Horizons is an approved vendor of these associations and specializes in Medical Coding training.
