Overview
Radiology coders go through physician charts and notes and assign an appropriate standardized code for each radiological procedure and finding. A report with the codes is then sent to the insurance companies for billing and reimbursement.
Radiology coders code for general radiology as well as subspecialties such as interventional radiology. Many radiology coders choose to get certified by the Radiology Coding Certification Board as evidence of credibility and professionalism.
Coding
Radiology coders work in hospitals, emergency rooms, smaller medical practices, government agencies, medical coding companies and sometimes on their own coding from home on a contract basis. They go through patients' medical records as well as doctor's reports and assign appropriate codes to patients' conditions and radiological procedures for billing purposes. These codes are then sent in reports for insurance reimbursement and medical billing.
They are expected to meet industry standards which range from a 95 to 97 percent accuracy rate. Some companies and hospitals also have quotas with the expected number of charts of reports that a coder is expected to go through in an hour or within the workday. A typical example is 15 reports an hour.
Other Duties and Becoming a Radiology Coder
Radiology coders depending on who they work for may have some administrative tasks to take care of. And for those who work as independent contractors this may involve record keeping, accounting and seeking new clients and work.
You do not need a college education to become a radiology coder and to get certified. The basic prerequisite is a high school education and some experience gained from learning on the job as a radiology coder trainee. There are also specialized training programs and courses available at community colleges. There is a link in Resources below with detailed information on become a radiology coder.
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