Why Proper Coding is so Important to Medical Billing
Why Proper Coding is so Important to Medical Billing
Correct coding is the essence of proper medical billing. Without
correct coding, claims would never be paid. There are several
ways to ensure your medical billing claims always get sent with
accurate information.
One way to ensure your practice has correct medical billing is
to make sure you personnel are properly trained. Hiring the
correct staff members can be key. A perfect coder would be one
that has specific medical coding experience. This could be
through a medical organization such as the American Association
of Medical Billers. Another great organization is the
Association of Registered Professionals. After they complete the
medical billing training, the staff members can sit for certain
certification exams. The best medical billing personnel are the
ones that are certified.
Another way to ensure proper coding in medical billing is to
keep your coding books up to date. ICD-9 and CPT codes change
frequently. New diagnoses are found all the time. There have to
be new codes to keep up with this new research. This happens
with procedures as well. As medicine advances, so do the codes
that reflect those treatments. Be sure your medical billing
coding books are kept current because incorrect codes could mean
an unnecessary denial.
Probably the best and most cost effective way of ensuring proper
coding is to hire an outside medical billing firm. These firms
will make sure your claims are submitted accurately and
reimbursed accurately. They do the proper follow up and are kept
current on certifications and training. By using a medical
billing firm you are relieving your practice of training
responsibilities for billing and transferring it onto someone
else.
Medical practices could not survive without a great medical
billing/coding team. Coding should not be taken lightly. It is
the absolute essence of reimbursement for service. In medical
billing, coding is the most important element.