Medical
Coding is a process of converting the disease condition or the procedure done
to the patient into a valid, globally accepted code.
For Example:
1) Regarding conversion of
Disease into a valid code, the coder’s uses the book named as ICD abbreviated as International
classification of Diseases which is prepared by WHO.
Example for
conversion: Hypertension is coded as 401.9
2) Regarding conversion of
procedure into a valid code, the coder’s uses the book named as CPT abbreviated as Common procedural
terminology which is prepared by AMA (American medical association).
Example for conversion:
Patient met with an accident and suffered with an open wound on his/her hand
with area of 2.5cms or less, if physician done an simple repair on it with
placing sutures and all its coded as 12001.
What to learn before entering into Coding:
Medical
coding requires lot of knowledge regarding the Anatomy and physiology part, as
in the daily life they need to come across hundreds of electronic medical
records which are solely prepared by Physicians. This is the reason medical
coding companies prefers science graduates. For fresher’s Anatomy &
physiology is the only need to enter into medical coding.
Courses:
There is no need of any courses for an entry into medical
coding. Courses like CPC (Certified professional coder) and CCS (Certified
coding specialist) etc., can be done after entry.
Institutions:
For institutions regarding Medical coding, you should
join in an institute where they says what coding means, some classes regarding
how to code ICD & CPT finally showing some placements, I mean sending you
to interviews not more than that.
According
to my opinion, the best institution in Chennai is Achievers spot where they
teach ICD & CPT and shows some placements like letting you know where the
interviews are going on. In Chennai & Bangalore the openings are more
compared to other cities for either fresher’s or experienced.
Career growth:
Medical
coding sector will have a good growth according to Indian market, the
outsourcing of medical coding need is nearly 27% but the Indians are coding
only 0.7% as there is a lack of coding people. That’s the reason from around 3
years the intakes of coding people are much higher and the openings are in
thousands, mainly in cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune etc. So
hoping lots of jobs in the future with an good growth.
In
the mean while you should increase your knowledge behalf of Coding and further
studies like MSC or PhD, because it helps to grow in any organization.
Pay scale:
The
fact is Medical coding has lesser salaries when compared to others, the salary
starts with 8-12 thousand per month based on company norms. Later with an
experience
6Months
– 1 year = 15-18
1
year – 2years = 21-25
If
you get certified in coding like CPC (Certified professional coder) and CCS (Certified coding specialist)
etc... Then you have lot of jobs in your hand with good pay, not only in India
but in many countries, which shows difference in the pay and difference between
certified and non-certified.
If
certified the career starts with 18 thousand for fresher’s and 8-12 thousand
for non-certified.
Suggestions:
In
case you need a fast growth and good salaries initially, it’s not a good
option. The career grows with normal salaries and cool life with 2 days
holidays like other software companies. It will be a better option for the
people who want cool life rather than a Pharma Life which have lot of work,
audits, 6 days working and other stuff.
Regards
Ajay Varma Alluri
Sr.
Representative | Medical records coder
Dell
services
+919094949342
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