As the name implies, coding
is the process of assigning formal, standardized codes to diagnoses
and procedures performed or identified by physicians. These
standardized codes make it possible for health care providers to
receive accurate and timely financial reimbursement from insurance
companies and government programs such as Medicare.
Duties
Graduates in this field may be required to:
work with medical
records, documents, and patient charts
identify diagnostic
and procedural information and convert this information into
simplified numerical codes that can be electronically processed for
payment by 3rd party payers (Insurance companies, Medicare, etc.)
interact daily with
a variety of health care professionals to ensure that payments and
reimbursements are optimized
Working Conditions
Graduates in this field commonly:
work in doctors' offices, hospitals,
long-term care facilities, industry, homes, and community settings
also work in coding
and billing services, insurance companies, government agencies and
consulting firms
work under little supervision
work under stress
keep very busy
are required to
complete considerable paperwork
are required to have
computer skills
Characteristics & Temperament
Graduates in this field should have:
excellent oral and written communication
skills
ability to work with people
deal effectively with cultural diversity
patience/tolerance
caring, positive attitude
flexibility - ability to deal with change
ability to prioritize/perform multiple
tasks/skills
critical thinking
preciseness
ability to be responsible/take
initiative/have self-discipline
ability to follow directions
ability to reason, make good judgments and
decisions
ability to record information
accurately/proofread
attention to details
Employment Outlook
These employment statistics come from Salary.com and the 2004-2005
Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the United States Department
of Labor, and are as follows:
25% of Certified
Medical Coders earn under $30,963 annually
50% earn between
$30,963 and $38,530 annually
25% earn more than
$38,530 annually
salary range of
2006-2007 graduates is
$18,000-28,000 annually
average salary of
2006-2007 graduates is $23,000
placement rate in
the United States is expected to grow by 30.3% through 2012
-
placement rate of
2006-2007 graduates is 56%
employment in cities and towns of all sizes
Employers
Some recent graduates have found work at:
Program & Course Information
For information about Piedmont Technical College's programs and
courses offered in this area, visit the Medical
Coding/Billing program webpage
For more information about programs related to this career
field offered by Piedmont Technical College click on the Allied
Health Department webpage
Career Tracks is
a publication of Piedmont Technical College that reflects the current career statistics
for students who have completed programs of the college. Forward your questions
about this site to Andy Omundson at (864) 941-8376 or by e-mail to
omundson.a@ptc.edu.
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