How to get medical coding experience

To become a medical coder, you need to have several qualifications, including a high school diploma or a GED certificate, and good observational skills. You will also need to be able to use basic software, such as spreadsheets and medical coding software.

Attending a post-secondary program in medical coding or transcription is also useful and provides you with training in medical codes, insurance language, and electronic health records. Previous experience in data entry or clerical work is also useful for your responsibilities as a medical coder.

Medical billing and coding students take classes in a variety of subjects to prepare them for managing medical records, applying codes, and submitting invoices. They are also prepared to assist with other business procedures in the healthcare field.

The coursework for medical billing and coding programs includes a mix of technical knowledge, healthcare information, and business topics. Students will learn the necessary medical terminology, the cycle of healthcare claims, and the medical coding system.

This combination of subjects provides students with the foundation of knowledge they need to begin a career in medical billing and coding. Typical courses in a medical billing and coding program may include:

• Diagnostic coding

• Procedural coding

• Billing and coding applications

• Introduction to computers

• Introduction to healthcare communication

• Medical terminology

• Medical law and ethics

• Records management

• Health settings

• Claim cycles

• Claim processing

• Anatomy and physiology

• Pathophysiology

After your program, you will be eligible for the certification exam. While you can apply for jobs as soon as you graduate, it is recommended that you pursue the CPC/CPC-A certification. It is best to take the exam while the content is still fresh in your mind and it will look better to a prospective employer.

While the coursework provided you with some medical coding experience, another great option is to work as a medical coding assistant. This will give you exposure to electronic medical records and software applications. You will gain experience reviewing accounts for complete and accurate documentation.