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Medical Coding is an important administrative role in Healthcare. A medical coder does the task of translating information in the patient’s medical records into standardized codes. This process helps in efficient record-keeping for hospitals and enables easy billing for insurance providers. This blog delves into the details of medical coding, the requisite certifications essential for becoming a medical coder, and the most prevalent courses available in Patna.
What is Medical Coding?
Patient records in hospitals have information from physician’s notes such as medical procedures, diagnoses, equipment used, hospital visits, laboratory investigations, and so on. Medical coding course is the process of converting these data into standardized alphanumeric codes. The codes help in documenting treatment information accurately. It takes an expert to assign the most appropriate code for a medical condition. This step is vital because the correct codes are essential to maintain the authenticity of patient information. It is also important because the choice of codes is the base for the healthcare claims submitted to the insurance companies.
There are several codes used by healthcare service providers around the world. Each codeset has a purpose and a structure. Some of them are:
Current Procedural Terminology Codes:
CPT codes are 5-digit number-based codes used in reporting and billing medical services. These codes are also helpful in analyzing medical procedures for research and quality purposes.
International Classification of Diseases Codes:
ICD codes are three seven-character long alphanumeric codes. They are used to capture diagnosis and procedure information. It also helps in monitoring public health and research in epidemics.
HCPCS:
HCPCS stands for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. They are alphanumeric codes used for billing and insurance claims. There are two categories of HCPCS codes.
National Drug Codes (NDC):
A unique 10 or 11-digit code with 3 segments, assigned for different drugs to identify the product.
Trained medical coders can choose the exact code for medical conditions, procedures, diagnosis, medicines prescribed, resources used, discharge from the hospital, and also any specific conditions that affect the treatment or the condition of a patient. This can be explained with an example.
John Doe visited a hospital with shortness of breath. His previous records show that has been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He visited the casualty as his shortness of breath worsened. The treating physician diagnosed acute COPD and he was administered nebulization and oxygen therapy.
When a medical coder transcribes this information, they go through all the important details of John Doe’s record and then analyze the numerous code sets to choose the most appropriate ones that best represent the patient’s data. Accordingly, the patient information may look like this:
ICD-10 codes:
J44.1 – Acute aggravation of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Z86.1 – History of other diseases of the respiratory system
PCS codes:
3E03317 – Administration of therapeutic substance, respiratory, via nebulizer
5A09357 – Continuous oxygen delivery system, via low-flow device
Scope of Medical coding
As patient numbers rise, the need for medical coders has correspondingly increased. Their role in accurately documenting healthcare services is crucial. Coders collaborate with healthcare providers, hospitals, government entities, legal firms, and research organizations, among others. As these coders do back-end work, there are many opportunities for people who wish to work from home too. They can be freelancers, who choose their own projects and clients, or even start their own businesses and provide services. The average salary of a certified medical coder in India is around 32,000 as per the job website indeed.com. Salary paid can be better with appropriate certifications.
In addition to being experts in the codes mentioned above, medical coders should have detailed knowledge of human anatomy and be well-versed in medical terms. Getting a medical coding certification is a must. If you’re keen on becoming a medical coder, check out the top 5 courses in Patna in the next section.
Top 5 Medical Coding Courses
1. Henry Harvin – Medical Coding Course
Henry Harvin’s course includes all aspects of medical coding, medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, ethics and compliance in the medical field, and different code sets. The course prepares students to ace the CPC exam. Through live, interactive sessions with certified and experienced subject matter experts, students gain substantial project knowledge. Henry Harvin ensures that students get hands-on training in medical coding in the related fields of HCPCS, ICD-10 CM, CPT, and many more. The organization also offers guaranteed internships with them or their partners.
Course highlights
- 90 hours of live, interactive classes
- 26 comprehensive modules to cover all the important aspects
- Access to class recordings, PPTs, video content, and assessments
- Unlimited access to live classes
- CPC exam guidance
- Hands-on training through relevant projects and guaranteed internship
- Placement support through placement drives
Special Benefits
- Access to skill development and job-ready sessions
- One-year gold membership of Henry Harvin Medical Academy
- Masterclass sessions for soft skill development
- Free access to #AskHenry hackathons
To know more about the course, call 9891953913. Enroll now for the Henry Harvin Medical coding course here.
2. Transorze Academy
Transorze Academy’s Medical Coding and Billing course can be completed in as little as 3 months. Classes are offered both online and offline.
Course Highlights:
The course covers 20 different topics related to medical coding.
Students will work on real-life examples and learn how to manage records.
Specialized courses for CPC and ICD-10 coding
Focus on CPC certification
Preparation using previous years’ question papers
CPC-certified instructors.
Transorze Academy can be reached at 9495833319. Here is the link to enrol for the Medical coding and billing course from Transorze Academy.
3. Academy of Medical Coders India (AMCI)
ACMI is a Delhi-based autonomous organization recognized by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. They offer PG diploma/Executive diploma courses and certificate courses in Medical coding. They offer regular and online interactive programs.
Course highlights
- Well-structured program under the guidance of industry experts in the field
- 34 modules covering all aspects of medical coding, including case studies
- The duration of the PG diploma is 1 year and that of the Executive diploma is 6 months. Certificate programme will be completed in 3-6 months.
- 100% placement to all students
- Students can contact ACMI at 18001031071(Toll Free) or Phone: +91 11 26512850.
4. Medesun global
Medesun is a Hyderabad-based training institute that offers online classes for medical coding. Their course is well-structured, enabling students to move forward at their own pace and achieve CPC certification. And if one is unsure of the choice, Medesun offers a free 7-day training to explore what it is all about.
Course highlights
- Classes are handled by experienced trainers who are also practicing specialists
- Distinguish between codes and apply relevant codes to medical services, report billing and insurance companies
- Seven mock tests to prepare well for CPC certification
- Money-back guarantee if a student fails in CPC test
Medesun Global may be reached at 9849974074. Click on this link to find out about the new batches for medical coding.
5. MedPro America Healthcare Solutions
MedPro America is a Mumbai-based training center that offers classroom and online courses in Medical coding and billing at affordable costs. They have basic, advanced, and advanced+ certifications.
Course highlights
- The course covers basics of healthcare and medical terminology
- ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding
- CPT-HCPCS procedure coding
- Certification through AAPC and AHIMA
- Affordable fee
The fee for the course depends on the location chosen. Candidates may contact them at 90822-38050 or email them to get more information regarding fees and batch availability.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing the best medical coding course is essential for those aiming to join the healthcare documentation and coding field in Patna. The top five courses highlighted earlier provide distinct strengths in curriculum, experienced faculty, hands-on training, and job assistance.
Prospective students must carefully evaluate their preferences and finances before selecting a course. The top 5 courses outlined in this blog are designed to assist individuals in making a well-informed choice. One must weigh in all available options when choosing a course because each one offers unique benefits. Certification from a well-accepted institute can increase the scope for a successful career in the medical coding industry.
Recommended Reads
- Top 5 Medical Coding Training Institutes in Noida
- Top 15 Medical Coding Courses In Bangalore With Eligibility And Scope
- Top 10 Medical Coding Books to Boost Your Medical Career
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 What is the duration of the medical coding course?
Ans. Medical coding courses can be a few weeks to several months long. Some offer more extended training covering both basic and advanced coding skills. You should choose a course that suits your requirements.
Q.2 Are online medical coding courses as good as in-person ones?
Ans. Yes, provided online courses offered by reputed schools are chosen. Online learning lets you study at your own pace. Make sure to choose a program with a good curriculum and hands-on training.
Q.3 Will my training institutes help me find a job?
Ans. Many organizations that offer medical coding courses help you find a job after you complete the course. They may assist with resumes, interview prep, and networking. Ask about job support when checking out different courses.
Q.4 What certifications should I have to be a medical coder?
Ans. Certifications like Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
Q.5 Do I need work experience in healthcare to join a medical coding course?
Ans. No, most courses are for beginners and do not need healthcare experience. It is helpful to know basic medical terms and anatomy, though. Check the course requirements to make sure you meet them.
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