INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL CODING - What is a medical coder and what do they do - Beginner Guide.
Contempo Coding
A medical coder is responsible for translating medical records and charts into codes that represent
diagnoses and services provided in medical care. The coder reviews the electronic medical records and
then assigns codes from their code books, such as AAPC and AHIMA, which are trusted by employers for
certifying medical coders.Medical coding involves a lot of reading of reports and medical records to
translate them into codes. It also requires an understanding of complex guidelines, not just coding
guidelines, but sometimes insurance, federal, state, and government guidelines. Medical coding books
are like dictionaries or phone books used to look up a diagnosis or procedure and assign a code.If you're
just learning coding, you would look under the alphabetic index in the back of the book. For example,
under the integumentary system, you would find "drainage" and then "abscess" or "perinekia," and
that's where you find the corresponding code in the front of the book. For this example, the code would
be 100060.
As a medical coder, you cannot avoid coding complex cases, even if they seem difficult to you. It is your
responsibility to code all cases, regardless of their complexity, and even if you need to ask the provider
for clarification multiple times.
Contempo Coding
A medical coder is responsible for translating medical records and charts into codes that represent
diagnoses and services provided in medical care. The coder reviews the electronic medical records and
then assigns codes from their code books, such as AAPC and AHIMA, which are trusted by employers for
certifying medical coders.Medical coding involves a lot of reading of reports and medical records to
translate them into codes. It also requires an understanding of complex guidelines, not just coding
guidelines, but sometimes insurance, federal, state, and government guidelines. Medical coding books
are like dictionaries or phone books used to look up a diagnosis or procedure and assign a code.If you're
just learning coding, you would look under the alphabetic index in the back of the book. For example,
under the integumentary system, you would find "drainage" and then "abscess" or "perinekia," and
that's where you find the corresponding code in the front of the book. For this example, the code would
be 100060.
As a medical coder, you cannot avoid coding complex cases, even if they seem difficult to you. It is your
responsibility to code all cases, regardless of their complexity, and even if you need to ask the provider
for clarification multiple times.
