Learn how medical assistants handle healthcare coding and billing in this free online medical administration course.
There are many facets to medical coding and billing. This medical administration course discusses the role of medical assistants and support staff who handle healthcare administration. We discuss the importance of obtaining appropriate codes to ensure that insurance companies accurately and ethically reimburse all parties involved in the healthcare process. We explore medical terminology and various coding systems and medical claims processes.
What You Will Learn In This Free Course
- Describe the importance of accurate coding and billing
- Identify the difference between CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding systems
- Explain the importance of pharmacokinetics and the management of drug toxicity, behavior, and effects within the body
- Categorise health insurance schemes such as Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance policies
- Explain the importance of compliance in medical billing
- Discuss ethics, transparency and billing fraud
- Compare medical coding and medical billing
- Define common medical jargon terminology used to describe anatomical positions and features
- Summarise good coding practices used to ensure accurate coding methods
- Discuss the alphanumeric number system that makes up an ICD-10 code and break it down into its categories
- Compare different reimbursement methodologies such as fee for service, pay for performance and others
- Explain how to accurately complete the UB-04, CMS-1500, and other forms
The medical profession is essential in preserving and improving human health. Healthcare addresses various diseases and medical conditions and enhances the overall well-being of individuals and communities by providing public and private healthcare. Although they work independently, medical coders assign appropriate codes, and medical billers submit claims to various parties. They have mutual value in providing patients and medical insurance companies with the correct data required to process claims and compensate healthcare providers.
This medical administration course defines various medical jargon terms and explores human anatomy and physiology. This information is crucial to interpreting claims and ensuring accurate decisions are made in the billing process. We go through various coding systems and describe their history and the advantages they offer. These include the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) structure and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), both of which were introduced and maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). We examine the ICD-10 codes introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO), which ensure that digital health data can be compared and used across borders.
We then delve into reimbursement methodologies and their rules and regulations before examining billing and claims processing. We provide tips for filling in the forms commonly used by healthcare institutions and primary care physicians and explain how to avoid claim denials. The course examines the ethics and compliance rules of medical coding and billing.
All Alison courses are free to enrol, study, and complete. To successfully complete this diploma course and become an Alison Graduate, you need to achieve 80% or higher in each course assessment.
Once you have completed this diploma course, you have the option to acquire an official diploma, which is a great way to share your achievement with the world.
Your Alison certificate is:
- Ideal for sharing with potential employers.
- Great for your CV, professional social media profiles, and job applications.
- An indication of your commitment to continuously learn, upskill, and achieve high results.
- An incentive for you to continue empowering yourself through lifelong learning.