Medical Billing and Coding - A Work Comp Cost Cutting Tool

Employers need every edge in reducing their costs of workers compensation, given our stagnant economy. Medical billing and coding is perhaps an overlooked area of cost control. One tiny error can lead to a very big problem in a medical bill — i.e., kicking the bill back for re-processing thus delaying payment.

An employer can do one of two things: rely on an outside source,– billing departments of doctors, nurses, therapists, hospitals, etc.– to produce correct, timely medical invoicing with accurate coding and risk paying more, paying for the wrong procedure, or waiting longer for a work comp claim to close. However, an employer still need to provide oversight, will be one of many other clients, must be sure the staff understands workers comp issues – in other words, you’ll be bird-dogging. (WCxKit)

Another and better way is to have your own in-house staff whose job is to review and analyze all medical bills submitted by health care providers before they are approved for payment. Either hire or train a person to vet all medical bills. Training a current employee has the advantage having someone already familiar with the company’s workers comp procedures and works only for the employer.

Whether you hire or train, there is a high demand for workers who are medical billers and coder, a field described as “recession proof.” Look for a person with a:

Certification of Completion in Medical Billing and Coding

Someone with this certification comes ready to start work with these skills:

1. Knowledge of the universal alphanumeric medical coding system.This is a system used in all areas of health care so there is little discrepancy or room for errors. Doctors and nurses uses these codes to know more about the patient’s medical history and current afflictions, while insurance agencies use these codes to determine how much to pay their clients on their insurance claims.

2. Training in basic medical terminology to understand medical terms in the fields of biology, anatomy, physiology and pharmaceuticals.

3. Training in the latest billing technologies, every-changing in today’s healthcare climate.

4. Good organizational skills for implementing and maintaining filing systems.

5. Detailed oriented and very accurate. Remember, just one tiny error can delay a bill “forever” so to speak.

6. Basic computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets for record keeping. (WCxKit)

7. Good communications skills for dealing with healthcare personnel.

If you decide to train from within there are affordable and flexible one- or two-year MBA programs, many offered on line allowing an employee to continue in a current position.

Worker Comp Kit Blog thanks and welcomes Jenna Devoss who helps run and maintain MedicalBillingandCoding.org, for her insightful contributions. MedicalBillingandCoding.org is a reliable source for medical billing and coding training programs, careers and future job outlooks.

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.