What Is Medical Coding And Why Is It Important?
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Posted By: Anica Oaks on October 10, 2022 In the most basic terms, medical coding is the process of translating medical records into a universal language that can be understood by everyone in the healthcare industry. This translation is important because it allows doctors and other healthcare providers to share patient information with each other easily and accurately. Without medical coding, patient records would be scrambled and unreadable, which would make it very difficult for doctors to provide the best possible care. Medical coding also helps to ensure that patients receive the correct treatments and billings by verifying that the insurance companies have the correct diagnosis codes. The History Of Medical CodingMedical coding dates back to the early 1950s when Dr. Robert Goldenson developed the first classification system for diseases, which was later known as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The ICD was created in order to standardize disease reporting so that different hospitals could share patient information with each other. In 1966, Dr. Edward Huth developed another classification system called the Standard Nomenclature of Disease (SNOD). The SNOD was created in order to standardize medical procedures so that different insurance companies could share patient information with each other. In 1978, these two systems were combined to create the ICD-9, which is still used today. In 2015, the ICD-9 was replaced by the ICD-10, which is a more comprehensive system that includes over 70,000 codes for diagnoses and over 4,000 codes for procedures. The ICD-10 is used by everyone in the healthcare industry, from doctors and nurses to insurance companies and hospitals. Why Is Medical Coding Important?Medical coding is important because it ensures that all stakeholders in the healthcare industry are using the same language when it comes to patient care. By standardizing disease reporting and medical procedures, medical coding makes it easier for everyone from doctors to insurance companies to communicate with each other about a patient's care. Become a Medical Coding ProfessionalMedical coding is a great career choice for anyone who wants to be a part of the healthcare industry. Medical coders are in high demand, and the job outlook for medical coding is very positive. With the right training, you can become a medical coder in as little as 6-12 months. There are many online and offline schools that offer medical coding training such as Coding Clarified. Once you complete your training, you will need to pass a certification exam in order to become a certified medical coder. After you become certified, you will be able to find jobs in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, and insurance companies. If you're looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare industry, then consider becoming a medical coder. Medical coding is a vital part of the healthcare industry that ensures everyone is using the same language when it comes to patient care. Without medical coding, patient records would be unreadable and there would be no way to verify that patients are receiving the correct treatments and billings. If you're interested in a career in healthcare, then learning how to code should be at the top of your list! If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Anica Oaks
Freelance Writer, Freelance University of San Francisco class of 2012 Member Since November 2016 |
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