Previously, we were investigating why more and more people are signing up for online courses rather than visiting conventional colleges. We discovered that people who sign up for these online classes boast better mental health, save a small fortune on commutes, have a more diverse social circle, are more disciplined, and have the flexibility to schedule their classes. Continue reading “5 More Known Benefits of Seeking Education Online”

Medical coders play a critical role in the modern healthcare reimbursement cycle. They transcribe patient visits into codes and forward them to medical billers, who then create claims and make sure doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers are properly reimbursed.

Continue reading “Upping My Pay as a Medical Coder: Things to Try”

In recent years, the medical coding and billing industries have surged in popularity. And while public interest in these fields of study is at an all-time high, very few people know that only certified medical coders are in demand in the public and private healthcare sectors. Continue reading “In a Nutshell: Medical Coding Certifications”

The medical coding practice is divided into two main domains: inpatient coding and outpatient coding.

For an aspiring medical coder, it’s vital to understand the differences between these two coding domains and set a preference from an early stage. This will help them focus their training and education accordingly and spend more time learning about the domain that they are interested in.

So what exactly are inpatient and outpatient coding and how are the two coding domains different from each other?

What is Inpatient Coding?

Inpatient coding is a type of medical coding used for reporting services that are performed on inpatients.

Who are inpatients?

Inpatients are those patients who have been officially admitted to the hospital under a physician’s order.

It must be noted that for a patient to be classified as an inpatient, the patient must spend more than 24 hours at the hospital. Patients admitted to a hospital for 24 hours or less are not classified as inpatients.

During their stay, the patient will be charged for all the services and facilities they use and will be billed accordingly. Since such stays are long, they result in creation of patient records that are quite extensive and intricate. This makes inpatient coding complex and detail intensive.

What is Outpatient Coding?

Outpatient coding is a type of medical coding used for reporting health services availed by outpatients

Who are outpatients?

Outpatients are patients who visit a hospital for treatment but are not admitted. These patients may stay at the hospital for few hours or even overnight.

Since outpatient visits are brief, outpatient coding is relatively less complex than inpatient coding.

What’s the difference in the coding schemes for the two medical coding domains?

Inpatient coding utilizes ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes to transcribe the details of a patient’s visit and stay. Outpatient coding on the other hand utilizes ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II codes to report health services.

Reimbursements for both types of services are requested under the Medicare program. Inpatient claims are processed under Medicare Part A while outpatient claims are paid under Medicare Part B plan.

In the end, no matter which type of coding domain an aspiring coder may choose to specialize in, they both have their individual importance in the healthcare reimbursement cycle, and both require the same level of commitment and dedication from medical coders.

About Allied Prep Technical Institute:

We are a medical training institute that offers medical billing and coding training and certifications to our students on our campuses and online. Our rigorous tests and training programs arm our students with the knowledge and the expertise they need to perform their job at the highest level possible.

Contact us today to learn more about how you stand to benefit from signing up for our classes

Make no mistake about it; medical billing isn’t a luxury, it’s nothing short of a modern healthcare necessity! Continue reading “3 Simple Tips that Help Increase Medical Billing Revenue”

Medical coders and billers have a very important role in the healthcare reimbursement cycle. Continue reading “Coders and Billers: How Much Can You Expect to Get Paid?”

Q. Before I enroll for Medical Billing Certification Online, I want to know what a Medical Biller and Coder does while on the job?
A. If you are a Medical Biller or Medical Coder, your duties would entail managing insurance data and health information of the patients of your employer. Keeping this information organization might involve analyzing patient charts, doing medical coding, dealing with issues of insurance reimbursement, entering payment information into a database, and handling claims adjustment.
The codes you will use will come from the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10). In the U.S. health system, the medical codes are used to describe the patients’ diagnoses in seven-character alphanumeric codes. Of course, depending on who you work for, such as a hospital or a physician’s office, you could be dealing with different codes.
Q. I want to know more about the Medical Billing and Coding Curriculum, such as what is the difference between AAPC & AHIMA?
A. The American Academy of Professional Coders or AAPC is the governing body when it comes to the medical coding profession. If you intend to become a medical coder, you will need the AAPC to certify you. Once that is done, you will be able to work in various medical settings, including the hospital outpatient facilities, physician offices, payer organizations, and ambulatory surgical centers. In order to remain AAPC certified, you will adhere to the Code of Ethics that they have outlined for all medical coders. This ensures that you work with complete professionalism, demonstrate integrity, and behave ethically.
The American Health Information Management Association or AHIMA, on the other hand, is related to professionals in the field of health information management (HIM). Being a member of the AHIMA would mean you will have to uphold the standards they have outlined for effective HIM. That’s because without HIM, US citizens won’t have access to quality healthcare. AHIMA is responsible for ensuring that healthcare remains up to date in an age of increasing electronic and globalization. By being a part of it, you will be joining other HIM leaders. As a coding student, you can pursue the AHIMA certification i.e. the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification.
Q. Before I join a Medical Technical Institute, I want to confirm if I will find a job upon graduation?
A. If you are thinking of becoming a medical biller or a coder, there is good news for you. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that these careers and other similar ones for jobs concerned with medical records and HIM will grow by 13 percent. Even better is that the projection has been predicted to last all the way into 2026! If you look at the other occupations given in the handbook, you will discover that medical billing and coding careers have one of the fastest growth rates.
Q. Before I decide Where to Get Medical Billing and Coding, I would like know the difference between the CPC and the CCS?
A. The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a designation. Once you have take the test through the AAPC and passed it, you become a CPC. Keep in mind that the test for CPC won’t include many questions on inpatient coding like the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) does. Instead, it will have questions focused on physician based coding.
You become a CCS when you pass the test through AHIMA. To get the CCS designation, you will be giving an exam centered around inpatient coding. If you intend to work for a hospital, then you should go for the latter designation (the CPC-H). As you can see, there are opportunities for medical coders to gain specialty coding certifications through the associations of AHIMA and AAPC.
Q. Once I have received my Billing Coding Certification Online, who will I be working for?
A. As both a Medical Coder and Biller, you are eligible for jobs at clinics, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. Even better is the fact that you can also work for yourself. Your capabilities will decide which job you are most suited to.
Q. What hours do medical billing and coding specialists keep at work?
A: Once you have completed your Online Classes, you can apply as a medical billing and coding professional to any hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. Depending on the type of medical setting you work in and your employer, you could be working the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift. Even so, it is better to ask this of your potential employer when you go in for the interview. While working at a hospital, you might be required to work night shifts. Therefore, it is better to be well informed before taking up a job.
Q. Is being a medical billing and coding professional after receiving Billing Coding Certification Online a rewarding career path?
A: One of the best things about becoming a medical billing and coding professional is the freedom that you will enjoy at work. As a pro, you will be given a high level of independence. You will also be working solo most of the time. So, you won’t be hindered by delays by team members or waiting for approval etc. Another good thing is the variety that comes with this job. On some days, you will be doing detective work to figure out which medical code you should be using and why. On other days, you could be dealing with the clients. Then there will be days of data entry. If you pay attention to small details, then this job is perfect for you. Lastly, what you will do as a medical biller or coder will improve people’s lives.
Q. Where Can I Learn Medical Billing and Coding if I do not have a medical background?
A. The good news for all aspiring students wanting to join Medical Billing and Coding Schools is that to qualify for Medical Billing Certification, you do not need any prerequisites, such as a medical background.
Therefore, if you have been thinking of getting into Medical Billing Training and about Where To Learn Medical Billing and Coding, it is time you got started. A career as a medical biller and coder awaits you!