Are you interested in completing a Medical Billing and Coding diploma program and want to know what jobs are available to graduates? The good news is that you have options. There are many jobs that employers are looking to fill with highly trained graduates. These jobs include medical biller, medical coding specialist, medical records technician, and insurance company medical biller.
Job #1: Medical Biller
The medical biller is responsible for processing patient billing and insurance claims. They start with the pre-approval process to ensure that a procedure is covered by the insurance company, so patients don’t receive a surprise bill after the fact. The process also ensures that proper payment is made to the medical facility so it can keep running smoothly. After the procedure is pre-approved, the medical biller creates an insurance claim and submits it to the proper insurance provider.
After the insurance bill is submitted, any denied claims are researched and resubmitted for reconciliation. The medical biller will also work with the patients to satisfy co-payments, deductibles, and other fees not covered by insurance. Part of the job of a medical biller is to follow up on active claims with the insurance company and contact patients with any collections for past-due payments.
In smaller medical facilities, the medical biller may support the office staff with administrative duties like answering phones. The medical biller keeps the facility running smoothly and ensures claims are approved, and bills are paid.
Job #2: Medical Coding Specialist
Medical coding specialists assign codes for patient care, population health statistics, and billing processes. The coding systems used include:
ICD-10
Short for the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, ICD-10 codes are alphanumeric and have been used globally since 1977 to classify diseases, injuries, or symptoms for processing insurance claims.
In addition to billing, codes are used by public health officials to track health data and mortality statistics. The World Health Organization is responsible for updating ICD codes regularly.
CPT
Common Procedural Code (CPT) is a five-digit numeric sequence assigned to all medical, surgical, or diagnostic procedures. Developed by the American Medical Association, CPT codes are used for reimbursement and to gather data on treatment outcomes to evaluate the quality of care.
HCPCS
The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is a two-level alphanumeric system. Level I is the CPT index, and Level II is a separate system that codes medical products, from pharmaceuticals and prostheses to services such as anesthesia and radiology.
Job #3: Medical Records Technician
A medical records technician compiles, processes, and maintains patient physical and electronic health records (EHR). They are responsible for entering patient information into health records using medical coding protocols. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical records specialist:
- Review patients’ electronic health records for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy
- Use ICD-10, CPT & HCPCS classification systems to assign clinical codes for patients’ diagnoses, procedures, and medical services.
- Gather patient’s medical histories, symptoms, test results, treatments, and demographic information for electronic health records.
- Maintain and retrieve records for insurance reimbursement and billing processes
- Ensure confidentiality of patients’ records per HIPAA guidelines and that access is only given to authorized personnel.
Job #4: Insurance Company Medical Biller
A Medical Billing and Coding program graduate can also work directly for an insurance company. When the insurance company receives the claim, the medical biller will know what is needed and can request anything missing. The insurance company medical biller will also understand what is covered by the insurance plan and be able to offer a quick pre-approval. If there is a problem, they can deny the claim and work with the medical facility during appeals.
A medical biller for an insurance company will learn the ins and outs of their insurance plans. Each insurance company will use unique language and terminology during the claims process. A great way to build a solid medical billing and coding foundation is by attending Meridian College. We help you take the first step toward success working at an insurance company.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know more about the jobs available to graduates of Medical Billing diploma programs, it is time to learn more about Meridian College. Meridian College has a campus in Sarasota, Florida, is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Florida offers a burgeoning economy and a demand for medical billers. You can enjoy our small class sizes and personalized attention from instructors. Plus, we provide career services to help you find a job after graduation. Let us connect you with medical employers in the Sarasota area. Help others and start a new career with us. It’s a win-win.
Want to Learn More?
Gwinnett Colleges & Institute’s Medical Billing and Coding programs will provide you with the opportunity to learn insurance coding and processing, medical administrative procedures, and the regulatory requirements in the healthcare delivery system. School externships provide the opportunity to apply the medical billing and coding skills learned in the classroom in actual medical settings. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical billing & coding courses to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. These medical billing & coding courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.
Contact us to learn more about how you can become a medical billing and coding specialist today.