Medical Billing and Coding For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Learn to:

• Land a job and start a career in billing and coding
• Find a training program that prepares you for certification
• Properly interact with insurance companies
• Handle ethical and legal concerns

Learn how to launch a career in medical billing and coding

The market for medical billers and coders is booming. Get in on the action with the help of this fully updated guide! It tells you what's involved, how billing and coding differ, what education and certification you need, how to land a job, and what to expect after you do. With new information on ICD-10 and updates on AHIMA and AAPC exams, it's the roadmap to a career packed with potential.

• Explore your options — learn what billers and coders do, look at training programs, and compare working in a medical office to working for an insurer or practice management company
• See what you need to know — find out about HIPAA compliance, medical terminology, evaluation and management codes, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act
• Study time — compare certifications and education requirements and determine how to get the training you need
• Learn what to expect — get the nitty-gritty on claims processing, how to check for and avoid errors, factors that affect reimbursement, and dispute handling
• Know the stakeholders — learn to deal effectively with commercial insurers, Medicare, patients, and your employer

Open the book and find:

• Why coding and billing are different jobs
• Pros and cons of working offsite
• Who makes the rules for this profession
• Government payers and key insurers
• How to choose the right certification
• Things to know about filing an appeal
• Ethics issues to keep in mind
• Ten acronyms you need to memorize