If you’re considering a career in medical coding, you’ll want to be familiar with the AAPC.
In this case, AAPC stands for the American Academy of Professional Coders. This organization is one of the top organizations that provides certifications to professionals who specialize in medical billing and coding.
If you’re interested in a coding career, you have several options for training and education.
As with most professions, the real-life workplace is where medical coders gain a lot of knowledge. But before entering this field, most coders choose to earn at least a 1-year diploma or a 2-year associate’s degree.
The medical billing and coding salary outlook varies. Some factors to consider include which city and state you’re working in, what organization you work for, and also whether or not you specialize as a medical coder.
While medical billing and coding are sometimes performed by the same healthcare professional, they’re actually two separate functions.
A medical coder is a valuable member of the healthcare team.
Also called “coders,” these skilled professionals are trained to analyze medical and healthcare records. Using their knowledge and training, they assign specific codes to the care and treatment a patient has received from a healthcare provider and/or health facility.
CPT stands for “Current Procedural Terminology.” In healthcare, CPT codes are specific numbers that are given to medical services and treatments that patients receive.
What is coding?
In healthcare, medical coding is the process of assigning a specific number to services or supplies that a patient receives from a healthcare provider or a health facility; such as a hospital, clinic, office or treatment center.
