Thursday, August 28, 2008

What is Medical Coding?
Each time a patient receives health care, the observations, medical interventions and treatment outcomes are recorded and stored. Each medical diagnosis and procedure is assigned a code using a software classification system. The tasks of interpreting and recording data, filing insurance claims, medical billing and auditing medical codes are performed by Medical Coders. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians evaluate and organize these records for completeness and accuracy, retrieve data, store, file, pull charts and alphabetize them, take medical records requests and may perform front desk reception.

Why Medical Coding?
The advancement of medicine and medical technology promotes the increase in the number of medical tests, treatments and procedures performed by healthcare providers. The ageing of America’s largest population, the Baby Boomers, also assists in driving this trend. Scrutiny of these medical records by regulators, insurance companies, consumers and courts continues to increase as well. As a result, job prospects should be very good in this area. This work is performed in a pleasant and comfortable office environment. You can make a difference in healthcare by helping patients and physicians in getting their claims filed though accurate and detailed records management.

How can I become a Medical Coding professional?
Fountainhead College of Technology offers several paths to secure entry-level employment in the healthcare field. In as little as 8 months, you can obtain your certificate in Health Information Management and Medical Coding. This program provides quality training in the essentials of Health Information Management and Medical Coding including Information and Communication technologies, Health IT Systems and Data Content, Healthcare Professionalism, Anatomy and Physiology, Coding, Medical law and Ethics, Medical Terminology, Reimbursement Methodologies and the skills needed to experience growth in the medical field. Credits earned while completing this program may be applied toward the Associate of Occupational Science in health Information Management: Medical Coding or the Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Management: Health Information Technology associates’ degrees.

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Technology Briefs
January 10, 2005
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