Emergency Room Medical Coders, also known as ED Coders, review patient records and assign codes to procedures and diagnoses performed in the Emergency Room.
Emergency Room visits are unscheduled episodic services to patients who present for immediate medical attention.
Emergency Department Coding is unique in that services are multiple and can range throughout multiple specialties. Any physician can bill Emergency Department Services.
Because Emergency Room Coding is Outpatient Coding, the classifications used for medical coding are CPT and ICD-10-CM.
If you are considering Emergency Department Coding, you must:
- be strong in Evaluation and Management (E&M) coding,
- know ancillary procedures and surgical procedures
- understand time-based medical coding
- know Medical Terminology
- be proficient in Anatomy and Physiology
Medical Coding in the Emergency Room starts with Evaluation and Management (E&M) medical coding. It does not distinguish between “new” and “established” patients. The CPT Emergency Room range of codes is 99281 – 99285.
Emergency Room Medical Coder salary averages $45,000.00 annually and this type of coding can be completed remotely, from home.
Productivity is key. Based on the number of Emergency Room visits per day, productivity standards do come into play. The average productivity standard is 25 charts an hour.
Services in the Emergency Room can range from a headache to critical care services.
These services are typically outsourced to outside Medical Billing and Coding Companies to complete both sides, Facility and Professional, coding and billing.
The AAPC offers a Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC) Certification. Experienced emergency department (ED) coders are encouraged to sit for the CEDC exam. CEDC certification demonstrates proficiency in applying correct ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and modifier assignment when reporting ED services and procedures. The CEDC certification endorses excellence in coding the myriad procedures performed by ED physicians, such as thoracentesis, laceration repair, moderate sedation, fracture care, foreign body removal, etc.
An additional certification like this is a smart career move. Year after year, our salary surveys show that the more credentials you have, the higher your salary potential.
Conclusion:
An Emergency Room Medical Coder is a vital member of a healthcare organization.
I posted this topic on my YouTube channel, CodeMasterCoach. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRVSigbPRlo
Feel free to email me at CodeMasterCoach@gmail.com
