How will your career be affected if healthcare reform becomes law? If you’re a billing and coding specialist or student, questions like these have probably been on your mind:
• Will I see a big increase in demand for my services?
• If coverage is increased for eldercare, women’s care and other targeted needs, will that create new opportunities for me?
• If Medicare changes, how will that impact on my career?
Because the healthcare bill is still being modified and debated, there is no way to know definitive answers to those questions. But some predictions are still possible.
Let’s look at what we do know . . .
Millions of additional Americans will be covered if healthcare legislation passes. “The $1.1 trillion bill would expand insurance coverage to an additional 38 million people over the next decade by requiring that almost all citizens have insurance and providing subsidies to those who can’t afford it,” writes Emily T. Walker in MedPage Today.
Source: “House Passes Healthcare Reform” by Emily T. Walker; MedPage Today.
Prediction: The need for billers and coders should increase dramatically if legislation passes.
A number of specialized services will be covered. According to the On Women blog of U.S. News, additional women’s healthcare procedures, including mammograms and cervical cancer screenings, will be covered if the bill passes.
Source: “Women’s Preventive Health Amendment Added to Senate Reform Bill” by Deborah Kotz; On Women blog.
Prediction: An increase in needed services for women and other underserved groups should contribute to a growing need for medical billers and coders.
Medicare will remain a strong and growing program. For assurance that Medicare services will not be diminished if healthcare reform passes, watch “VP Biden Discusses Healthcare with Seniors,” a 90-minute video available on Whitehouse.gov.
Prediction: As America’s population continues to increase (as reported on the U.S. Census), a growing number of older Americans will need medical care – and that should increase the demand for skilled information processors.
While no one can predict exactly how many new jobs will be created by healthcare reform, the outlook seems extremely good for billers and coders – and for the consumers they serve.
Two areas that will not be affected by this reform are online IT degree and the medical health programs
Posted by Cardinal | January 29, 2011, 5:13 pmMy thoughts are running toward the thought of how many jobs will be available if it really does happen.
I guess we will know what will happen eventually.
It boggles the mind.
Posted by Kathryn Spring | January 29, 2011, 11:55 pmIn response to the technology of computers and coding, someone has to enter that information by way of EMR or having to read the physicians handwriting. If it is a direct input, the physician will probably need a scribe to do that while he is examining the patient, that scribe needs to know what we are learning as biller coders to make sure the data is entered correctly. I have scribed for physicians and having an idea of what documentation etc is expected for different levels of exams etc is definately an asset. I think this article has given hope to more of a need for our services. I was wondering if the market was going to be saturated, but I feel better.
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Posted by Dr. Patrik | January 31, 2011, 1:05 pmThe need for medical billers according to this article will increase as the bill is passed to cover all americans. The coverage will allow more screenings and other procedures to be done for women. This in turn will require knowledgeable coders and billing specialists.
Posted by Tina Reed | February 2, 2011, 6:20 amWith the increase in population and the increased length of a persons lifespan and the insurance reform bill the need for qualified medical billers & coders will most suredly increase. A knowledgeable biller/coder shoul;d have no problem obtaining and retaining employment in this position and will also give the knowledgable person a chance to increase in position as the need for competent biller/coders increases.
Posted by Glenda Irvin | February 6, 2011, 1:20 pmThis is exciting that woman will be offered more preventive procedures, including mammograms and cervical cancer screenings. Millions of additional Americans will be covered if healthcare legislation passes. “The $1.1 trillion bill would expand insurance coverage to an additional 38 million people over the next decade by requiring that almost all citizens have insurance and providing subsidies to those who can’t afford it,” I am a person who has experienced what it is like to not have insurance due to job loss. Every year more and more families are filing bankruptcy due to medical debt. Not everyone can afford health insurance in this country. Lots of families with dependents are covered under Medicare / Medicaid plans these are mostly low income families. Baby Boomers who are unemployed can’t get insurance when the loose their jobs. They can’t afford the high premiums. This to me is really outrageous and these people have worked hard all their lives. Hopefully God Willing I will be fortunate to have a job because of increasing health care services as a Medcal Billing Coder!
Posted by Denise Brown | February 7, 2011, 12:13 pmI believe also that the field I have chosen to go into Medical billing and coding will increase whether the health care bill passes or not. The population is steady growing and we will always need hospitals and doctors and nurses,and they will always charge for their services. So with that said doctors and hospitals will always need the services of quaified Medical Billers and Coders.
Posted by Ronda Tyree | February 11, 2011, 6:16 pmI hope the predictions in this article are correct and that the need for medical coders & billers is increased.
Posted by Sharon Fawver | February 13, 2011, 10:30 amMedical coding and billing may explode. But then again it may become so regulated that the jobs become existent. Sometimes bigger is not better.
Posted by Vicki Tyler | February 19, 2011, 4:03 pmIt is good to know that the outlook for future medical billers and coders is very good. Our Healthcare Reform should be good news to all of the individuals that do not have medical insurance coverage, which is much needed.
Posted by Sonya Canon | February 28, 2011, 6:48 pmI feel that we will have to wait and see just how that Health Care Reform Bill will effect us as billers and coders.
Posted by Bandi Llamas | March 2, 2011, 6:41 pmWith all the changes in healthcare, we as coders and billers will be much more in demand. Also, with the IDC 10 books coming out October 2013, we will be doing much more in detail in coding. I think it will be a very exciting time for all of us.
Posted by Tammy Garmon | March 4, 2011, 4:16 pmI believe there is going to be a big demand across the board in the medical field, not just in coding and billing. A friend in the insurance industry says doctors who are already heavy in demand will become overwhelmed. He keeps hearing it being said they are worried about such a load increase and some will want to retire rather than deal with such a stressful burden upon them. We will all be very busy indeed.
Posted by Mike L. | March 6, 2011, 10:28 amI agree with Ronda. The population is living longer and our services will defintely be needed. Then Mike points out the fact that some doctors will be retiring and others will have to step up and fill those spots. As he said, we will be busy!
Posted by Linda Pike | March 6, 2011, 4:46 pmWhen the details of the new health bill are finally enacted as the their no doubt be more people eligible to for health benefits, with more people, unltimately their will be a need for more people to serve them. As with all
new opportunities in the health field, more training and expertise will be required of biller and coder to meet the needs of this increasing populous that need quality health care.
Posted by Jane J. | March 13, 2011, 11:17 amI feel that the healthcare reform bill will drastically affect the need for medical billers and coders due to the fact that there will be millions more people with insurance coverage seeking medical care.
Posted by Laurie Brown | March 13, 2011, 8:56 pmI feel that if Legislative passes the Health Care that there will be a number of specialized services covered and Medicine will remain a strong and growing program; this making Billing and Coding more in demand.
Posted by Frances Brown | March 19, 2011, 3:05 pmI think that in the mean time we are not longer need it because every thing is going to be done by a computer, like the electronic medical record every thing is automatic the Dr,just introduce the infortmation and is already code so you just need to send the electronic bill.
Posted by claudia zapata | March 21, 2011, 6:09 pmA cording to the prediction and if they are correct We will have the need of incresed number of Medical Billing and Coders.
Posted by Mary Lawrence | April 3, 2011, 2:54 pmI think right now everyone is jumping to conclosions. I do not think that this law will pass. There are to many people that are without work and they can not afford insurance. If the insurance companies do summit the change of cost to those that can ot afford and make it available to them what about everyone eose? I feel that the insurance companies are making to much as it is. With them making the cost in a office visit more expensive then what it would be with a patient that has know insurance; they are making a killing. The physicians would have to cut the cost of there procedures so that everyone can afford it, as well as, the hosptials and everyone else is involved. If this does pass then yes there would be more need to have billers and coders to help out with the filing of their claims. At this moment right now they are in need of billers and coders and there is know one to fill the spots that is why they are crtying for more help. They would need to make it easy to get a certificate so that there are more billers and coders to fill what postions arre available right now. Everyone thinks that just because that everything is going to be computerized that they will no longer need biller and coders. I hate to say this they will always need them. Reason I say this is because they still keep records on paper for back up if a computer system crashes and that they would lot lose everything. They will need to keep the records straight so that everything will not all be lost. Everyone has to have a backup system if it bee that they copy everysday all the records that was done and corrected and to also have a copy in paper that they still keep behind close doors.
Posted by Pooh | April 3, 2011, 4:46 pmI think the services of medical billers and coders will increase, if the changes are made to womens’ healthcare. Also, as others have stated the increased lifespan of people increase with our medical technology.
Posted by Patricia Kimmel | April 4, 2011, 2:02 pmIf this Reform Bill passes, I believe that the need for Medical Billers and Coders will be on the rise. With so many people out there without insurance, There will be a higher demand for our profession.
Posted by Bonnie Scott | April 5, 2011, 11:01 amI do think that we as medical billers and coders are going to be in much higher demand. If the bill passes for insurance for women, it will mean that many more procedures will be performed.
Posted by Mecca Storer | April 6, 2011, 6:16 pmAfter reading this article, it seems that passing this bill will very much benefit the career of a medical biller and coder. The bill will give many more people the medical insurance they need to keep themselves healthy. This in turn, will give many more opportunities for employment. I for one hope they pass the bill, only because it will give medical insurance to those who can’t afford it. Which will only benefit most people.
Posted by Elizabeth Gascon | April 7, 2011, 8:20 amI believe that jobs will be created and it will still be a booming business. With all the new coverages that had no coverage and with the ageing it will be good for us and the country as a whole
Posted by Janice Golding | April 9, 2011, 9:23 amI think that the way things are going in the medical field that there will be alot of jobs for medical billers and coders. There is so much to learn in this field and the job market for this field and other medical fields is growning like hot cakes. So I think the future will be very good to us medical billers and coders.
Posted by Shirley W | April 9, 2011, 3:25 pmThere will be some changes to our health care if the new healthcare bill passes. It will be for everyone and everyone will have to sign up for it. It will also create new medical screenings for womens health care that will increase medical billing and coding. I think that it looks like it will be a good career to be in. An increase of medical services should increase a good number of job openings for medical billers and coders. In addition to the new programs, Medicare will still be going strong.
Posted by Terri Butterbaugh | April 19, 2011, 2:49 pmI would like to see this health care reform pass. It would be nice to be able to see a doctor for check-ups and not have to spend all the money that we don’t really have to do it. Medical Billers and Coders will have many opportunities with this new health care program.
Posted by Debbie Bridges | April 20, 2011, 7:29 amI would like to see this health care reform pass. It would be nice to be able to see a doctor for check-ups and not have to spend all the money that we don’t really have to do it. Medical Billers and Coders will have many opportunities with this new health care program.
Posted by Debbie Bridges | April 22, 2011, 9:59 amWhile our current system certainly has many flaws, I don’t think the federal government should be overhauling health care in its entirety just because a small percentage of the population lacks coverage.
Why not work out a plan to get those people covered, and leave everyone else alone? I for one am very happy with my health care and have no need for the government to force a change.
In my opinion, this health care reform bill is just a start down the slippery slope toward a single-payer system.
Posted by Greg D | April 25, 2011, 8:18 amI believe the Health Care Reform will be good for all those people who, lack going to the doctor due to not having any insurance (I am one of those people). I need a mammogram, which the doctor order me to have one back in January, and I still have not went to have it done. This Reform will increase the medical field in all areas in a positive way all the way around.
Posted by Patricia Sullivan | May 10, 2011, 11:57 amI agree with a lot of the posts, I believe that medical and billing will show a great increase of opportunities. I also don’t think the bill will pass since it attempts to force to do something (get insurance) that they may not be able to afford to do.
Posted by Julie Leonard | May 10, 2011, 6:14 pmI believe there will be a demand to a certain exstent. It might require a person to move out of state to find a good job or they can try working from home . I like the second one, I don’t like moving.
But in all I think there will be medical coding oppurtunites for alot of people. Just have to get use to the code changes every so often.
Posted by matilda sink | May 12, 2011, 7:48 amFor one, I believe that we should wait until the ‘dust settles’ on all of this Health Reform business. It is definitely not all ironed out.
There will be a need for knowledgeable billers and coders, but then again, will the public be able to afford their mandated health insurance? The whole situation seems to be in such a frenzy, and, in my own opinion, it is something Washington is using to keep us from paying attention to what they are really planning for us on other things. We need to keep our eyes open on all fronts, not just Health Care Reform. The government is sticking their noses into too much of our daily lives.
Posted by T. Lynne Williford | May 15, 2011, 8:48 amIt seems to me that it will increase the job opportunities for medical coders and billers. Although we wont actually know until it all goes into effect.
Posted by Shannon | May 15, 2011, 11:29 amI feel that I can expect to be a very busy biller in the near future I hope that many of my classmates will also make it to being a biller in this new boom of new and exciting.
Posted by Betty | May 22, 2011, 10:04 amI believe there will be an increase in need for billing/coding specialists, offering more opportunities to work in specialized health care areas, and an increase in insured Americans. It sounds exciting and offers hope for more and better jobs. I think the reality of health care reform will have problems- Mainly, cost and who foots the bill?
Posted by Ellen | May 25, 2011, 1:19 pmI believe that there will be a need for specialists in billing and coding. But at what cost to the American people. Most believe that their will be an increase in insured Americans, I believe on the other hand that their will be a decrease in insured Americans. I can see that health care reform will increse job oppoiturnities and a few other things but at what cost to the American people.
Posted by D.Dart | May 27, 2011, 11:01 amI agree with the preceding posts. I think it still is our responsibility to gather enough savings for our own medical needs or perhaps get a healthspring healthyadvantage medicare at least before we go on retirement.
Posted by David Forbes | June 5, 2011, 10:36 amI believe that billing and coding will be in high demand once the changes take effect. I also think that there will be an increase demand for specialist in certain fields as well. This means we may need to continue our education to stay competitive in our field.
Posted by Tammy Alameda | June 16, 2011, 11:52 amAccording to what the article states, there will be an increase in the number of billers and coders. This would be due to the changes in the Healthcare Reform Bill, which should increase the number of people who seek medical care. I volunteer at a free health clinic. A number of people who come in state that if we were not open, they would not seek medical care.
Posted by Murray Foran | June 16, 2011, 1:41 pmWhile I don’t believe that the health reform bill will be put into effect as it is written, I do believe that more Americans will end up with more affordable healthcare. As a result of this happening, Medical Billing and Coding positions will increase which will also improve our economy. This may not happen as quickly as the current administration wants it to as there are many republican opponents and they will drag the process out, as usual, but it will eventually happen.
Posted by Denyse Brooker | June 17, 2011, 10:48 amHealth Care Reform. As for myself, I am living with a disability, private healthinsurance is hard to
come by. Even if I can afford to buy it, it probably doesn’t cover all of my needs.Worrying about where to get coverage and the cost of your care is the last thing
I want to do. The Affordable Care Act is expanding your options for health insurance and making them more affordable.
Posted by Ela Burse | June 17, 2011, 3:34 pmThe Healthcare Reform . When the Healthcare Insurance reform expands more coverage for more citizens will have insurance. They will need more Billing and Coding positions. To keep up with all the work that needs to be done. I do hope that the Reform helps the citizens that do need insurance.
Posted by Vickie Kiakis | June 19, 2011, 8:02 pmIt’s all going to change. We may not have a job when it’s all said and done.
Posted by Minnie Spencer | June 19, 2011, 9:06 pmIf Health Care reform passes and 38 million people over the next decade have health insurance for the first time in ages, there will be a dramatic increase in billing/coding of these services that will be used. Since specialized services will be covered for women and other underserved groups that will also add to the need for billers/coders to handle the increased use of services. Add to all of this the biggest group of seniors getting ready to hit Medicare age/retirement and you have a BIG impact on the need for all of us. It is going to be a great time to be coming into this field!
Posted by L Arney | June 28, 2011, 7:54 pmBased on the reading of the article,it behooves us as medical billers and coders to just be ready. The information we are learning is crucial, whether things become regulated or not. If we already have the knowledge and gain the expertise in the interim of everything know that medical terminology, billing and coding will always have a spot, even it things are all electronically done. As long as there are doctors and patients there will be this need. WHO and CMS would not be wasting their time consistently udating the coding procedures if it were not important. There would be the first to know of any drastic changes eliminating this field. Be like the Boyscouts…just “Be Prepare”, as once we know the knowledge, it can always be expanded into various areas. Medical Billers and Coders are like the air…it must be breathed, the medical field cannot do without it.
Posted by Barbarra Baccus | June 29, 2011, 8:57 pmPressingly enchanting blog post.
Posted by Jeannie Allyne | June 30, 2011, 6:50 amIt is in my opinion that with the health care reform going into place there will be a growing number of jobs in all of the medical feilds as well as the billing and coding departments in order to accomidate the increasing number of people being seen for medical purposes.
Posted by Dana Kling | July 3, 2011, 9:35 pm