Coding versus billing skills - - ModernMedicine

Coding versus billing skills
Publish date: Dec 4, 2009
By:  Keith Borglum, CHBC
Source: Medical Economics

Q: I am the new office manager in my husband's practice, but I have no experience in coding. Do you know where I can take a coding class that is only 8 to 10 hours in duration?


Keith Borglum, CHBC
A: You don't need to learn coding; you need to learn billing. Coding is done by the physician. You didn't mention your specialty, so check with your medical specialty society first, because they either sponsor programs themselves or know the who's-who in your specialty. Many of them are available online or on DVD, or as a download from the most recent national meeting. Consider joining your local Medical Group Management Association chapter (see mgma.com) for peer support and/or contact the National Society of Certified Healthcare Business Consultants (nschbc.com) to arrange for a trainer to come to you.








Medical Economics Consultant Keith Borglum, CHBC, of Professional Management and Marketing, has been a licensed practice broker, appraiser, author, and management consultant to physicians for more than 25 years, is based in Santa Rosa, California, and practices nationally. Send your practice management questions to mepractice@advanstar.com
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Comments from our Readers
Janet CCS-P / Rich, VA, UNITED STATES
 Posted 2009-12-05 08:43:02.0
I do not know where you work but a physician who does his only coding is not going to be paid very well. The coding rules change on a yearly basis, a professional coder would know the changes and make sure the practice does not lose reimbursement for this reason. Most coders worth their salt have some billing experience, some even start out as a biller. the billing classes are not help because each payer has specific rules for their claim submission
Christian / Newburgh, NY, UNITED STATES
 Posted 2009-12-25 14:58:37.0
I agree with Janet's comment. The best way to approach a daunting task like this is to possibly review the explanation of benefits of the most common office visits within the past year. This will give you an idea of what or how your husband has been coding and billing. However, a more sound decision is to possibly bring in an experienced professional coder/biller as a consultant to your husband's practice and review his billing/coding practices and help you start up.
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Source: Medical Economics, 12/4/2009
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