Medical Coders are the unsung heroes of the revenue cycle management (RCM). They serve as the integral part of the team. A great and skillful coder is able to help healthcare facilities, insurance payers, and patients to navigate the complexities of the many laws, regulations, and guidelines related to the business side of healthcare.
Using alphanumeric diagnosis and procedure codes, Medical coding specialists play an essential role in the healthcare business. They communicate critical information about medical conditions and treatments in a quick and time-efficient manner. But what are the qualities of a Good Medical Coder and how important are they in your medical practice?
Qualities of a Good Medical Coder
With the fast rising need for electronic health records and computerized record-keeping in the healthcare industry, a good medical coder should be able to have the following qualities to be able to keep up.:
- Analytical Skills
Medical coders need to be able to analyze the information in the patients’ records in order to determine what codes are appropriate. This is important so that the billing is accurate and the healthcare service provider gets paid on time for the services rendered.
- Detail Oriented
Accuracy and attention to detail are of highest importance for medical coders. Processing health insurance claims and understanding the medical coding system are two skills that require a keen eye for detail.
- Integrity
Medical coders need to be honest and have a high level of integrity. They work with patients’ medical records, which are required by law to be kept confidential. People working in this field must be committed to protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.
- Interpersonal Skills
Medical billers and coders have to be comfortable interacting with colleagues in the billing department as well as physicians and nurses. This is because often times they might have to discuss billing problems, patient information, or ask questions about a patient’s chart with the designated personnel. Therefore it is important for medical coders to communicate well with others in a professional and friendly manner.
- Technical Skills
Being comfortable with computers and technology is important for people working in the medical records industry. Most institutions use Electronic Health Records (EHR) software for all of their billing and coding functions, and employees need to be adept at the said software.
So, how important are they? Having a dedicated medical coder for your firm will be beneficial as they will be responsible for reading the medical files and notes of doctors and other practitioners and translating diagnoses, prescriptions, and the services rendered into relevant codes for insurance claims.
Having a medical coder could reduce your number of denied claims, improve your collections rate, and reduce the time it takes to receive payment, boosting the cash flow. However, you don’t want somebody on your team and ineffectively handle these important things right?
Well, we can help you with that. Contact Park Medical Billing today and we will take care of the hard work that is medical billing.
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