What does a medical coder do?

Medical coders are essential in the health information industry. Without medical coders - who assign specific codes to medical procedures and services - doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers would not get paid for the services they provide. Medical coders use “codes” to identify specific procedures and services performed on patients. These codes determine how much to bill the patient’s private and/or public insurance companies.

Medical coders read medical documentation (i.e. patient charts) then assign the proper code, using their coding knowledge in addition to checking classification manuals, to the completed service or procedure. Once they've determined the proper coding, medical coders key the code into the proper form on their computer system.

In addition to identifying the procedure or service performed, the assigned codes also help determine how much the healthcare provider (i.e. doctor or hospital) will be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and private and public insurance companies. It's critical that the proper codes are used as mistakes can delay payment. Furthermore, the codes must adhere to insurance requirements and federal regulations.

Where do medical coders work?

Medical coding work includes full-time work- at least 40 hours each week. If you work in a hospital or another setting that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you can choose between working days, evenings or nightshifts. Some coders even work from home.

Medical coders are employed in a variety of settings, including:

- Hospitals
- Doctor's offices
- Clinics
- Outpatient care centers
- Family practices
- Nursing homes
- Group practices

Who is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC)?

After gaining experience as a medical coder, most coding professionals like to pursue a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification. To acquire a CPC, a medical coder must pass a medical coding certification examination sponsored by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CPC exam is a 5-hr exam, and consists of questions regarding the correct application of CPT, HCPCS procedure and supply codes and ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes, which are used for billing medical services to insurance companies.

Why become CPC Certified:

A recent 2008 AAPC Salary Survey revealed that:
• Certified Coders earn an average of 15% more than their non-certified counterparts
• 50% of survey respondents said that Certification was required for employment at their current positions (up from 42% in 2007)
• The average annual wage for a credentialed coder is $43,100, compared to $36,500 for a non-credentialed coder

About the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) was founded in 1988 in an effort to elevate the standards of medical coding by providing certification, ongoing education, networking, and recognition. Currently, the AAPC has a membership base of 74,000 worldwide, of which more than 58,000 are certified.

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) currently provides medical coding certification exams for coders in physician practices and the outpatient/facility environment. It is also the first organization to offer a medical coding certification exam that recognizes medical coders in the payer community.

In short, AAPC's medical coding certifications are nationally recognized by employers seeking ethical, accurate, experienced, and professional medical coders.

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