How to Be a Traveling Medical Coder

Medical coders are individuals who specialize in assigning codes to medical diagnoses and procedure descriptions for reimbursement purposes. Traveling medical coders (sometimes simply called coding or reimbursement consultants) are individuals who travel to different hospitals, physicians offices or other health care businesses to provide coding services. Traveling medical coders can be self-employed or work for a company specializing in health care coding and reimbursement, a network of hospitals or physicians offices or an insurance company.

Instructions

1

Become certified. Coding certifications are credentials that alert those in the health care industry that you have met a higher standard of goals and ethical commitment in the coding field. Although certification is not a requirement of coding professionals, it is increasingly becoming the standard in the industry. Many organizations today will not hire coders unless they are certified. The type of coding certification depends on coding focus. For example, a coder who works only with physicians offices may receive a different certification than one who works only with hospital coding. Be sure that the certification is through a reputable organization or college. Research them through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

2

Gain experience. Most companies hiring traveling medical coders are looking for someone with experience in reviewing medical documentation, assigning diagnoses and procedure codes and, in many cases, assessing reimbursement. For someone just out of school, or with little-to-no coding experience, it is better to spend one or two years coding at a health care facility or physician's office before attempting a traveling medical coding position.

3

Understand the role. Traveling medical coding positions are not for the faint of heart. While the pay can often be good, traveling medical coders spend weeks on end traveling to different health care facilities in different areas or states. They are often at the mercy of the client and therefore find themselves working long hours and are sometimes expected to entertain clients at dinner in the evening. It is a solitary and sometimes lonely position. However, the knowledge, experience and networking connections gained while traveling to different health care facilities is invaluable.

4

Determine employment. Traveling medical coders can either be self-employed, work for a coding specialty or insurance company, or within a network of hospitals and doctors offices owned by the same company. Where a traveling coder chooses to be employed will be determined by the level of responsibility desired. A self-employed traveling coder will be responsible for costly computer and coding software programs, travel, resources, insurance, and also obtaining their own clients in a competitive field. Traveling coders who want to work with a coding company or health care network should search the Internet, job boards, and speak with medical recruiters who specialize in working with medical coding consultants and traveling coders.