Medical coding and billing is a needed function in today's society. With more and more people going to doctors, dentists and alternative medical providers patient accounts much coded and billed properly to ensure payment to the provider. Medical coding and billing requires education, certification and the ability to keep remember codes and policies dealing with the medical industry. These blogs discuss issues related to the medical coding and billing industry. Topics range from patient privacy to outsourcing medical billing services.
GENERAL MEDICAL CODING AND BILLING BLOGS
These blogs are generalized to the medical billing and coding industry. They discuss industry trends and news, credentialing and certification and discussion of what coding and billing specialists do.
- Medical Billing News
This blog discusses news and trends in the medical billing industry. This includes discussion of HIPAA, practice management, collections issues and reimbursement rates.
- Electronic Medical Records
This blog discusses the trends and practice of using Electronic Medical Records in primary care and outpatient settings. This company provides EMR Software to Georgia physicians' offices and outpatient centers.
- Electronic Medical Billing
Electronic medical billing allows patients to pay for their bill using a phone or internet by using credit or debit cards. E-medical billing allows both medical billers and doctors to see payments quickly to the account.
- How Does Medical Billing Work
This is a description of how medical billing works from practitioner's office to medical biller entering codes and sending bills to patients. This detailed outline shares the steps of a medical coder and biller's process in creating and sending out bills.
- History of Medical Coding
A blog discussing the history of medical coding and how coding become an important part of patient care and patient billing.
- Deaf Medical Coder Discusses Her Job
A deaf woman tells her struggle of being a medical coding professional in a “hearing world.” She gives insight about job satisfaction, challenges and benefits of the coding career.
- Dentistry Coding and Billing
This site discusses billing and coding for the dentistry profession. This is often forgot about and dentists are seeking out qualified coders and billers to work with their practice and assist with patient accounts.
ICD-9 AND DIAGNOSTIC CODES
ICD-9 codes are the diagnostic codes used by coders and insurance providers to describe medical conditions, illnesses and procedures. The ICD-9 may be updated annually, and if so the coders and billers must learn the new codes quickly.
- Newest ICD-9 Codes
This blog discusses the newest set of ICD-9 codes that were released in 2010. Gives links where coding professionals can go to buy the ICD-9 manual and other books of interest to medical coders.
- Commonly Used Chiropractic Codes
This is a free resource for medical coders which lists commonly used codes in chiropractic practice. This site lists codes, separated by body parts and the newest codes for “headache” associated with chiropractic treatment.
- Newest ICD Codes for 2011
This blog discusses the newest set of codes that will be going into the 2011 ICD-9 manual. There are approximately 250 new diagnoses and procedure codes that will be entered into the manual.
- ICD 10 Information
This blog discusses the new ICD 10, and how the ICD will be changed forever. Medical coders will have many new codes and procedures to learn, which could change how the entire industry conducts business.
- ICD Mistakes
Interesting blog discussing how vocabulary mistakes and language misinterpretation can result in wrong ICD-9 codes. Also presents the history and creation of the ICD system.
MEDICAL BILLING SOFTWARE
These blogs discuss the newest and most innovative medical billing software that is available. Whether medical billers work for a firm, at a hospital or in their home they will need to choose a software program to use.
- Medical Billing Software
Trigram, a medical billing software company, blogs about their products and medical billing news. Trigram has integrated a HIPAA privacy policy into their software, which makes it a popular choice for billers today.
- Nuesoft Technology Blog
Nuesoft provides medical billing software to the healthcare industry, with physicians' offices and medical providers purchasing this software for use in their billing department.
- Claimcare Billing Software
Medical billing software that is compatible with dozens of insurance carriers. Claimcare offers unique medical software that provides billing, accounts payable and receivable information, and collections/past due assistance.
- Dr First Medical Billing and Coding Software
Dr First is one of the top medical software companies, providing physicians with Electronic Medical Records, electronic prescribing, transcription services, and medical billing and coding programs.
- Introduction of New ICD-9 Codes
On October 1, 2010 the ICD-9 had 122 new codes added to the diagnostic coding manual. This was difficult for many medical coders, as there was no grace period and codes were put to immediate use.
- Humorous Take on ICD-9 Codes in Everyday Life
Humorous blog post about using ICD-9 codes to describe a typical morning. From caffeine addiction to conduct disorder, this person is a coder's nightmare.
- Should I Change My Medical Billing Software?
This billing software company owner blogs about selecting the right programs for your practice, how to evaluate these programs, and when or if a practice should change the type of billing program they are using.
- Medical Billing Blog
Medical billing software that is perfect for the small practitioner or health care company. This article discusses how to pick out the right software for your company, and increase revenue from patient accounts.
HEALTHCARE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND COLLECTIONS
All practitioners must have a policy in place to collect patient funds. These sites discuss what to do when patient accounts go delinquent and how to get their money from them.
- Improving Accounts Receivable Practices
Four steps to improve the accounts receivable process, which include using a batch eligibility system, calling patients with long past due balances before their next appointment, and offering credit card or online bill pay to patients.
- Medical Collections Procedures
Blog focusing on collections procedures for healthcare and medical offices. There is a software program can that assist billing departments in keeping track of patient accounts and sending alerts about delinquent accounts to the staff.
- Capture Billing Company
This company, Capture Billing, aims to assist the medical billing and coding industry by providing tips, videos, articles and pod casts about maximizing patient billing efforts by making it easier to bill and collect from patients.
- Third Party Billing
PCL aims to assist medical offices in collecting on past due accounts. PCL also offers staff training, insurance billing and follow-up, insurance audits and verification of benefits.
- Third Party Billing Company
Implementing contracts with third-party medical billing companies are imperative for medical practitioners. Contracts not only state what services will be provided, but also how much they will cost, how the company will receive the patient information, and what the billing company will do if a patient account becomes past due.
- Clean Up AR Records
A company that provides third party billing for physicians discusses the newest tips and trends in the industry. Also discusses how to clean up old AR records and patient accounts.
- Collections Procedures
This blog is a healthcare IT firm discussing how it collects on their client's patients who have fallen past due. They have a great record for collecting past due monies, and focus on late accounts.
- Medical Debt Collection
This company works only with accounts that are severely past due. They recommend outsourcing collections procedures to a third party company, as to avoid a negative tone in the patient-provider relationship.
OUTSOURCING
Outsourcing medical billing to a foreign country or at home professional has both benefits and disadvantages. While it may be cheaper to outsource the work, the work may take longer and it is much more difficult for physicians to follow up with patient records if they are outsourced to another country.
- Outsourcing Medical Billing and Coding Work
Outsourcing medical billing and coding work to India can be cost effective for physicians offices. This site gives information for offices that are looking to outsource this administrative work to foreign countries.
- Outsourcing Strategies for Medical Transcription
This site discusses the benefits of outsourcing medical transcription work. It is convenient for doctors and healthcare companies to manage some of their work, while outsourcing other forms of work to save time.
- Selecting the Right Third Party Biller
Billing and patients accounts may be an area of business that doctors do not want to deal with. They often outsource the billing and coding work to third party companies or individuals. This article gives tips to doctors for selecting the right billing agency.
- Outsourcing Financial Services
This blog discusses the practice of outsourcing financial services, so that companies and businesses can focus on customer service, satisfaction and providing optimal service.
- Types of Medical Billing Outsourcing Businesses
A great way for a medical provider to save money, increase revenue and decrease negative patient interaction is to outsource their billing. Outsourced billing may occur at a firm, an in home agency or medical billing company.
- Negative Myths of Medical Billing Outsourcing Dispelled
A medical billing firm discusses news and trends relating to outsourcing, HIPAA and privacy laws. This blog also dispels the negative connotation associated with outsourcing medical billing services.
- Internal Medical Billing vs Outsourcing: What is More Cost Effective?
Healthcare IT firm discusses if outsourcing medical billing is really more cost effective than using an internal medical biller. Things to consider are staff salary, benefits, training costs and space versus paying less for a medical billing firm.
- How To Stay in Touch With Third Party Billers
While outsourcing may mean letting go some amount of control, healthcare administrators should remember the that most billing companies provide daily reports, can be reached by phone or email and may provide regular video conferencing about your patient accounts.
STARTING A MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING COMPANY
Many medical billers and coding decide to start their own home-based business, as this a field where as long as the proper software is used, the job can be done anywhere. These blogs discuss how to start a business, market the business and get potential clients.
- Starting a Medical Coding Business from Home
This blog is written by women (or men) that have successfully titrated a medical coding business from their home. This blog gives tips about obtaining clients, setting up your home office and obtaining the proper certification required to code from home.
- Home Based Medical Coding Business
The profession of medical coding is in demand due to the increased need for healthcare. Due to aging baby boomers and an overall desire to be more healthy, people are visiting doctors at a frenetic pace.
- Are Home Based Businesses Legitimate?
This blog was created to discuss medical billing and coding information with students and professionals in the field. The blog also discusses how to start a home based coding and billing business.
- Starting Your Own Home Based Business
This blog offers tips to those wanting to start their own home based medical coding/billing business. Tips include contacting local healthcare agencies, research software, becoming certified and learning to market and advertise your business.
- Successful Work From Home Opportunities
Home based medical coding and billing companies are on the rise. These companies are becoming more popular with healthcare agencies, and a seemingly successful way to make money for those looking to work from home.
- Steps to Becoming a Home Based Medical Biller
This is a step by step guide to becoming a home based medical biller and coder. These steps are easy to follow, and the clear instructions are great for those that are looking to make a start in this career.
- How To Start Your Home Based Business
A small business how-to guide, with an emphasis on home based businesses. This article discusses how to start and operate a home-based medical coding and billing company.
- What Does it Mean to Have a Home Business
Discussion of starting a home based business in medical coding and billing. Starting a home based business means that you must have self-motivation, ability to work alone and without a boss, and a desire to market and advertise your own abilities.
- Five Reasons to Work in Medical Billing and Coding
Five reasons to work in the medical/coding field, and why a home-based business is the perfect way to get a foot in the door of this industry. Working at home provides flexibility and the ease to make your own schedule.
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was established in 1996, and put into effect in 1997. This Act ensures that patient's have access to insurance, and that their patient medical records are kept private and confidential.
- HIPAA Laws and Standards
Free HIPAA information for medical billers including compliance issues, privacy laws, certification, HIPAA violations, rules and standards that medical billers must adhere to in terms of the HIPAA laws.
- What is the HIPAA Law?
The purpose of the HIPAA law is to improve healthcare by instating insurance standards and polices that healthcare providers must follow, or risk fines and suspensions. HIPAA also instituted a privacy law which protects patients medical records and personal information from being shared.
- HIPAA Policies and Procedures
Medical records and patient personal data should be kept private, and the HIPAA law has set in place policies and procedures to ensure that this happens. Healthcare professionals risk fines and losing licenses if they share patient information with others.
- HIPAA News and Resources
This site has HIPAA resources to review and purchase for medical billers and coders. Medical billers and coders need current information about HIPAA law, and this site will give the most up-to-date information on the web.
- HIPAA Security and Privacy
A site discussing all aspects of the HIPAA Law, from security of patient records to HIPAA violations. HIPAA laws were created to ensure that patient medical records stay private and confidential.
In conclusion, medical coding and billing is a wonderful job opportunity for individuals looking for steady work, flexibility to have a home office and a desire to work in the medical field. This career starts with obtaining a degree in the field, becoming certified, and then finding a job.
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