This comprehensive resource guide provides general information regarding medical billing and coding, topics of interest, online education, training options, and other resources relative to students currently enrolled in or those who will be enrolled in a medical billing and coding program. The guide also references critical professional associations that provide assistance and membership benefits. Today’s technological world provides ample web based tools to communicate and learn; therefore, a list of Facebook, LinkedIn, and twitter accounts are also provided for students to follow and engage with.
Medical billing and coding professionals provide an invaluable service to the healthcare industry. Medical coding professionals extract information from physician documentation and assign the correct codes that are then used to create a claim for payment. Medical billing professionals ensure that those claims are paid properly. Medical billing and coding professionals use a standardized coding system to process medical documentation.
The healthcare industry is expected to grow rapidly throughout the next several years. New opportunities in the medical billing and coding profession will become more and more prevalent over the next few years. The administrative burden on doctors’ offices and hospitals will become increasingly difficult. Their ability to keep up with record keeping is going to decrease exponentially; however, with the assistance of medical billing and coding professionals, the doctors’ offices and hospitals will be able to focus more on the healthcare portion while the medical billing and coding professionals focus on the insurance companies, compliance regulations, and other issues.
Medical billing and coding professionals generally work full time, just as any other health care professional would. However, one benefit to this field is their ability to work from anywhere. For this reason, often times employees work from home.
Associations
American Medical Billing Association (AMBA): Founded and originated in 1998 to provide special assistance to doctors and other independent professional medical billers. AMBA provides education, training, networking, and membership benefits. The goal is to share and grow as a group.
Medical Association of Billers (MAB): The MAB was founded in 1995 and has been approved and licensed as a post-secondary school as well as vendor for federal agencies. The MAB provides individuals with education and training resources as well as post certification membership opportunities.
Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS): The PAHCS is focused on networking and providing member support. The PAHCS is also focused on enhancing and resolving challenges associated with compliance, documentation, and reimbursement capabilities of healthcare coders.
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC): The AAPC was founded in 1988 with the primary purpose of educating on medical coding and providing professionals with a certificate opportunity. They have since expanded their program to include the entire health-care industry business practices including billing, auditing, compliance, management, etc. The AAPC provides exam preparation materials and certification requirements for both medical billing and medical coding.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA): The AHIMA was founded in 1928 to improve the healthcare industry record quality. Health care data and medical records are the required to provide quality healthcare. The AHIMA formed the association of health information management (HIM) professionals which is leading the effort to transform the industry into an electronic way of life.
American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors (AACCA): Issues certification exams and ICD-10 training for registered nurses.
Education Opportunities
PennFoster Career School: PennFoster provides an online educational opportunity to students with over 150,000 students enrolling each year. PennFoster offers a Medical Coding and Billing program that can be completed in seven months.
Drexel University: Drexel University provides an online, six-course, certificate program through the College of Nursing and Health Professionals. The program can be completed within one year and focuses on three main coding manuals: CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS.
Kaplan University: Kaplan University offers a legitimate program which can provide students with the knowledge and technical skills needed to be successful in the healthcare industry. Kaplan offers a hands-on externship prior to graduation to ensure that students have the practical experience they need before preparing and achieving their Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Specialist Physican0Based (CCSP).
Everest College: Everest College provides students with the skills necessary to code diseases, surgeries, and other medical procedures while also providing the skills necessary to process insurance claims and collection.
Conferences
AAPC Conferences: The AAPC hosts national and regional conferences. Each conference includes educational sessions, networking, and relevant industry data.
ZHealth Live Seminars: Held four times per year to provide education on coding of radiology, cardiology, and electrophysiology procedures.
ACEP Reimbursement & Coding Conferences: The ACEP hosts a conference focused on emergency physician reimbursement and coding. Some topics include CPT and ICD-9 updates, the latest coding news, and advanced coding and hot topics.
General Resources and Articles of Interest
How to Choose a Medical Coding Credentialing Organization: There are two organizations that provide certification: AAPC and AHIMA. This article provide a more detailed oriented look into each organization that will help individuals decide which path is right for them.
Overview of Medical Billing and Coding Career: This article provides individuals with an understanding of what type of individual will be successful in this profession and what they need to know about the job.
Medical Billing and Coding Training: A YouTube video which demonstrates why this profession is feasible, the types of establishments that individuals can work in and different education programs available.
What is Medical Coding? This article describes what a medical coder does, related educational requirements, and certification requirements. The article also denotes what the differences are between a medical coder and a medical biller.
The ABCs of Medical Billing and Coding: A video taken from the 2012 Sacramento Seminar that captures Tami Rockholt’s presentation.
Five Most Popular Medical Billing and Coding Positions: The medical billing and coding profession is one of the fastest growing with ample opportunities. There are several job options available within the field.
Guide to Medical Billing and Coding Training: This guide explains what medical billing and coders do, when they work, where they work and what type of coding system is used.
Everything You Need to Know about CPT Codes: CPT codes, Current Procedural Terminology, is the standard coding classification for medical procedures. As a medical biller and coder, individuals will need to understand the codes and learn them from heart. This article identifies the three levels of CPT coding systems, the educational requirements, and a look at the jobs and salaries available.
2013 Salary Survey: Coder Employment on the Rise: Article that explains the expanding job market for medical billing, coders, educators, auditors, etc. The article summaries the impacts on salary, credentials and education as well as the evolving work environment.
ObamaCare Greatly Boosting Areas of Healthcare Staffing: Article that discuss the changes that will come with ObamaCare and how it will change the healthcare industry including medical billing coders.
CPT Online Resources – News You Can Use: Provides articles and information that cover various topics regarding CPT coding. Some of the articles include changes to the CPT codes, updates on industry news, and other healthcare informative articles.
Databases
Find-A-Code Quick and Easy Medical Coding: Online database of medical billing codes and information.
ICD9Data – Web’s Free 2013 Medical Coding Reference: Free reference to codes being used in during 2013.
Social Media
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter have become increasingly popular. Facebook has a number of organizational pages and individual groups that provide support, education experiences and tips, as well as networking solutions. LinkedIn generally has more of a professional setting with organization company profiles which is good for advertising personal skills and accomplishments. Twitter allows individuals to follow live feeds in order to stay more up-to-date with organizations and individuals.
Facebook has several groups dedicated to medical billing and coding including, but not limited to, the following:
Medical Billing and Coding: Free website dedicated to medical billing and coding education and jobs.
Medical Billing and Coding Schools USA: Provides assistance to potential medical billing and coding students for locating schools and career information.
Medical Billing and Coding Exchange: A page dedicated to the exchange of information between medical billing and coding professionals.
American Medical Billing Association (AMBA): Official Facebook page of the AMBA.
AAPC: Official Facebook page of AAPC.
LinkedIn has several groups dedicated to medical billing and coding including, but not limited to, the following:
Medical Billing & Coding Forum
Medical Billing & Coding Support
Medical Market Network: Billing & Coding
Professional Medical Billing/Coding Specialists
AAPC
Professional Association Healthcare Coding Specialists
Twitter has several groups you can follow and interact with including, but not limited to, the following:
American Medical Association @AmerMedicalAssn: Twitter account for the American Medical Association dedicated to provide updates on the health industry.
AAPC Staff @aapcstaff: Twitter account for medical coding and auditing leaders.
AHIMA Resources @AHIMAResources: Twitter account for AHIMA intended to provide information only.
Medical Coding @MedicalCoding: Twitter account used to track news about medical coding as a career option for single moms.
Medical Coding Class @ACOMC: Twitter account for the American College of Medical Coders specializing in education students in Medical Coding.