科技如何塑造医疗编码的未来

三十年前，事业在 医疗保健信息管理 需要大量的文书工作. But not anymore—the implementation of electronic health records is 重塑卫生信息管理领域, 和 opening up many new 和 exciting opportunities in medical billing 和 coding.

As the baby boomer population 年龄s, the dem和 for health services in the U.S is expected to increase, along with dem和 for health information professionals. 事实上，美国.S 劳工部 predicts that employment for health information technicians will grow by as much as 15 percent through 2024—much faster than aver年龄 for most occupations.

今天的 医疗编码员和健康信息管理员 are in an increasingly digital field that requires them to integrate their specialized knowledge, 有新技术的技能和经验. 在未来, medical coders need to not only underst和 the importance 和 applications of new coding technology but be able to use these new tools to ensure accuracy 和 increase efficiency.

医疗编码员是做什么的?

Medical coders transcribe information about a patient visit—from symptoms to diagnosis to medication prescribed—into an electronic code that can be easily stored in a hospital’s patient database 和 later interpreted by health insurance companies for reimbursement of healthcare services, 根据美国专业编码员学会(AAPC).

在过去, coding professionals had to translate 和 document this information using a codebook manual. 今天, digital coding software—also known as an encoder—streamlines the coding process to a few simple “clicks.”

为什么编码器很重要?

Encoders are designed to not only make the job of coding professionals easier but to improve the accuracy of the coding process by reducing the risk of human error. 医疗代码每年更新一次, 和 codebooks must always be kept current to ensure proper documentation of a patient’s visit. 在过去, 设施必须每年购买新的密码本, 但编码器不断更新最新的代码.

的re are several types of encoders that are designed to meet the specific needs of hospitals or medical facilities. 一些实践可能会使用3M编码器, which is a signature partner of American 健康信息管理 Association (AHIMA), 而较大的医院可能有住院设施编码器, 以及不同版本的编码器的实验室, 放射科和其他科室.

编码器如何改变医疗计费员和编码员的工作?

Although technology is a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving medical coding, we will always need coders who are trained in the use of the coding manuals.

While encoders can help make it easier to research 和 identify the appropriate code for a specific procedure, coders should also use their knowledge 和 reasoning skills to accurately report each medical transaction. 

仅依靠编码器, 不使用密码本作为备份方法, could result in costly errors that could hurt the practice or hospital. 编码器当然很重要, but coders also need to have a deep knowledge of medical procedures 和 terminology to be successful in documenting the health services provided.

我如何成为一名医疗编码员?

It’s becoming a popular trend for professionals in this field to obtain their degree or certification (CCA). 一些医疗编码员也继续赚取他们的 卫生信息管理本科学历 追求更高的职业发展机会.

的 在线医疗计费和编码程序 options at Herzing大学 are focused on providing graduates with the specific skills 和 capabilities they will need to succeed as 记账员和程序员 在医生办公室、医院和其他护理机构. This includes a strong underst和ing of anatomy 和 physiology 和 different coding programs 和 procedures. 的 3M Encoder is just one of the tools that are embedded in Herzing’s coding classes 和 curriculum to provide students with h和s-on experience in the field.