What is the difference between medical coding and medical billing?
Medical coding is a task that assigns numeric and alphanumeric codes to the diagnoses and procedures found in patient medical records. The codes provide a short version of the lengthy descriptions for illnesses, diseases and treatments. The codes supply important information for health care statistics, reimbursement, resource management and marketing.
Medical billing uses the numeric and alphanumeric codes assigned during the medical coding function. The process of medical billing includes submitting medical codes on claim forms to payers, providing follow-up documentation to payers, updating patient insurance information and appealing claims denials.
Medical billers work for medical practices, preparing bills for services rendered. These bills or invoices are then sent to insurance companies. Coders on the other hand, work for the insurance companies, taking bills submited to the insurance company and translating them into the appropriate codes. They are similar professions and both require medical terminology.
