Did You Know: Medical Billing and Coding Blog is part of a network of blogs that discuss careers in the allied healthcare field. Check out our friends over at Medical Administrative Assisting Blog.
President Obama won a hard-fought battle last week. After months of stalled progress and fiercely partisan debate, the House passed a sweeping health care reform bill with a vote of 219-212. The $940 billion plan will completely reorganize the American medical system, extending coverage to roughly 32 million additional Americans.
There is coverage of this bill from every major news organization: CNN, NPR, and New York Times to name a few. The topic is also being discussed across Twitter and the blogosphere.
So how exactly does the bill affect people working in the allied healthcare field? Whether you agree or disagree with Obama’s policies, it is important to know how they affect you as a medical biller and coder.
- The bill increases coverage to 32 million additional Americans by requiring most Americans and businesses to have some kind of insurance plan or pay a fine.
- Parents will be allowed to keep their children on their health care plans until they are 26.
- Reform will eliminate discrimination based on pre-existing conditions or medical history. If an individual hasn’t been able to get coverage because of a pre-existing condition, a ban on discrimination for adults will take effect in 2014. Additionally, a pool will be set up for high risk adults to get coverage until 2014. For those of you who have a child with a pre-existing condition, a ban on discrimination for children will take effect immediately.
External sources: HealthReform.gov, New York Times Health Care Reform Overview
Prediction: All of these provisions, combined with the billions going to electronic health records, predict an increased need for billing and coding specialists in doctors’ offices. The sudden spike in the number of patients seeking care combined with rapidly changing electronic health records systems could mean more jobs in the allied healthcare field.
The new bill that will pass in 2014 is the one I am really excited about. The “Baby Bumbers” are comming into a new area of there life. Not having to worry about pre-existing conditions will be of great help for us. Also, there will be a vast new amount of jobs that will be available. All the students like me in medical school will have a greater chance of medical employment. That makes me give a cheer.
Posted by Beverly R Lyons | July 9, 2011, 10:06 pmWe needed change and its great that change is being implemented. Consequences are always there and we have to find a way to deal with them as they come to protect the right of every American.
Posted by Andy | July 11, 2011, 12:57 amThe medical refom is a great thing for most Americans expeacially the ones with pre existing conditions but I am worried about the Americans that cant afford to pay for medical coverage what are they going to do if they have to carry insurance and they cant afford it that is the only problem I see with the new reform I know as a parent with 2 children that have a lot of medical problems it will be a lot easier now that the preexcisting condition cant not be held against you anymore
Posted by Christy Heffern | July 12, 2011, 9:24 amThe 2010 Health care reform will be good for those conditions that may not already be covered under the old plan of pre-existing condition. As well as providing more coverage to people that may not be able to afford it. The reform will create more jobs for Medical Billers and Coders with all the changes. The health care field overall still continues to be a thriving profession to be in.
Posted by Karen Channels | July 13, 2011, 4:09 pmYes we need change. But I think there is still going to be people without insurance because they can’t afford it. Aand as for fining them if they can’t afford the insurance what makes you think they can afford the fine.
Posted by Melcena Jordan | July 14, 2011, 9:08 amChange is needed. I do believe there will still be many person without health insurance as some will fall through the cracks, and many of them will not be able to afford a fine. The fine needs to be addressed. Many of the aspects of the bill are great, but there are some areas that need fine tuning before they go into effect
Posted by Betty Tannahill | July 15, 2011, 2:52 amThe change is among us. I think this new plan has giving me hope that all who need medical assistance shall receive without the worry of how to pay for it. This not only helps patients, but helps the industry and the people in it to achieve what it is they set out to do before entering the medical field; helping others. A new healthier United States will evolve from all of this.
Posted by Brandy Oliver | July 15, 2011, 10:50 amI see this bill affecting billers and coders in that with more people having medical coverage it stands to reason there would be a greater need for billers and coders; hence, more jobs for billers and coders. This reform have many positive aspects to it but for me and my family regarding pre-existing conditions I wish this would be available sooner than 2014. Also I have a question does this mean that all employers will have to obtain health care coverage for their employees? I ask this because my husband’s current employer does not carry any medical coverage on any of his employees. It is a trucking business that employs about 23 workers. If anyone can answer that question I would be grateful to know as this is the main reason I have been keeping the job I currently have for the medical benefits.
Thanks
Posted by Sharon Karlheim | July 16, 2011, 4:15 pmThis is a great for the healthcare future although my question is, will the insurance to cover the people that have pre-existing issues going to double in payment. Already America is dealing with financial hardship.
Posted by Chelsey Guillory | July 16, 2011, 6:22 pmYes this is good but at what cost to you? Insurance is high enough because of riders that won’t pay because you have this or that.Not that they won’t insure you but they won’t cover anything that might happen because you take a drug to control the problem. Does anyone know what it will cost you? One insuraance that I could get has riders for things like anything due to a heart attack as I take high blood pressure meds. What happens if I should have a heart attack? What is covered?
Posted by Sue Hall | July 18, 2011, 1:30 pmIn some ways the healthcare reform can be good for anyone that has a pre-existing condition but at what cost. I agree with several comments that have been posted referencing the cost of healthcare coverage. In a perfect world everyone would be able to afford good healthcare coverage but this is not a perfect world. Millions of people in the United States live below the poverty level. If healthcare insurance is affordable for the middle/lower class, there will definitely will be an increase in filing insurance claims because more people will be seeking healthcare. This will in turn create a higher demand for certified billing and coding professionals.
Posted by Wanda | July 25, 2011, 8:25 amIncreased jobs for medical billers and coders would certainly make me happy. But it will take several years for the Electronic Medical Records to get going. A-lot of money to switch from paper to paper-less and some Doc’s won’t like it and will fight it.
Posted by Jackie Eggers | July 26, 2011, 2:01 pmIts good that SOME employers are being required to have some form of health insurance for their employees,but why not ALL? One of the most important things a person looking for employment is looking for is the health insurance, not if they will enjoy the job or not, its all about the health insurance these days.
Posted by Patricia | July 27, 2011, 9:08 amAs the world of electronic systems moves forward, it is no surprise our personal information will be formatted to be stored in some computer management system. Healthcare reform assures an increase in the number of folks going into the electronic age systems, and Electronic records also serve a greater good. We are told this system will be more efficient, more readily available to allow access to medical information when it is needed, which ultimately will cut costs of healthcare. This is the way of the future and as a medical biller and coder, it certainly guarantees work and a long and employed future.
Posted by Carmen M. | July 27, 2011, 10:44 amI’m happy that every american will be able to have insurance and that more jobs for medical billing and coding will be available. Just am a little undecisive in how I feel about the mandatory or fine part and the length of time it’ll take for this to actually be in place.
Posted by Linda Mealler | July 27, 2011, 1:19 pmThis is good to be able to get a look at what is going to be, I believe on improving the system. I know this will be a great advancement.
Posted by Lisa | July 27, 2011, 2:59 pmThis is good news to become knowledgeable of. Better and more insurance coverage for people out here means more medical coding and billing specialists opportunities all over the US. Which is good for me to know being as though I’m going to school for Medical Coding and Billing.
Posted by Charlita Garner | July 28, 2011, 4:37 amI think taking out the preexisting condition clause will be a good thing but I have to worry about those individuals that can not afford insurance now. I am talking about those people who have a car and can not afford to keep the insurance on it. The people who have to decide which bill they are going to have to wait to pay so that they can buy food.
Posted by Belinda Whisenant | July 28, 2011, 8:00 amI think it is something that was needed there are far to many people who have no health care due to a pre-existing condition. It will also create some valuable job here in the USA that we all need right now. Corporate American seems to be laying off orr moving jobs out of the country but the medical field is a field where it seems they are always needing more help.
Posted by Alma Skube | July 28, 2011, 8:55 amI don’t see how the EMR coming into effect will keep medical billers and coders employed – I worry that it will be quite the opposite. You won’t need a human if a computer can do the job – it’s all in the software. And as for fining people for not having insurance, that is just ridiculous – if they can’t afford insurance, then they certainly can’t afford to pay a fine. And what happens when they can’t pay the fine? – the answer I heard is that they will have to pay in jail time instead – how ridiculous is that?! Mandatory insurance or jail – isn’t that against the Constitution? Isn’t this the land of the free? How can this govt force us to choose between buying insurance (or going to jail if we don’t) or putting food on the table or paying the electric bill so we can have heat in the winter. If they really want to help the American people, they would do better to pass a law that bans outsourcing our jobs to other countries. Keep employment within the USA, so that we have jobs so that we can afford to keep our homes, feed our families, and maybe even be able to buy health insurance. The biggest problem with the health system in the USA right now is the greedy, money-grabbing insurance companies and drug companies, who dictate to our doctors how they can or cannot treat their patients, and charge exorbitant rates with little coverage. The politicians (who were elected to serve THE PEOPLE) need to put a stop to these modern-day bandits, put a realistic cap on amounts the insurance and drug companies can charge ….. but they won’t because it would mean losing all those handouts and campaign contributions funded by the insurance and drug companies. And pre-existing conditions? – that is the joke of the century – what do they think that health insurance is for? Refusing coverage to a person because of a pre-existing condition is discrimination. I thought discrimination was a thing of the past, but apparently not. So, as far as the new health care reform is concerned, yes I agree that we need it BUT I would like to see EXACTLY what that bill states – so far I feel like we have been left in the dark. If there is nothing to hide in it – then why not show the people of the land what exactly is in it? Perhaps some of it is good, perhaps some of it isn’t – who knows? Something of this magnitude should go to the people for a vote.
Posted by Ladyhawk | July 28, 2011, 1:16 pmI think this is a good thing for medical biller and coders. The more people the more biller and coders they will need. One thng i kind of fear if everything is going to computers will they need biller and coders?
Posted by shawna boone | July 29, 2011, 6:38 amAs for the pre-existing conditions clause, I think that is great. But with todays financial hardships, I don’t see how most people are going to be able to afford health insurance!
Posted by Jamie Stempien | July 29, 2011, 12:28 pmI am still unsure about the health care reform, but I am pleased to read that my future job in coding and billing will be a secure one, since there will be almost 36 million more people seeking quality health care.
Posted by Karla Medrano | July 30, 2011, 6:04 pmIncrease jobs for medical bill/coders will be a good opportunity for us in the medical field.I think the Electronic Medical Records will have a good impact on doctors, patients, and workers.It will be less time consuming going paperless.It will be a change in the American world of health profession.
Posted by Millie Johnson | July 31, 2011, 5:23 pmNow that those with medical conditions can get insurance it will all be good. mostmedicare.com is still a great resource.
Posted by Drew Harris | August 7, 2011, 9:22 amPersonally I don’t like the bill, but I do think it will help medical billing outsourcing. Doctors will be looking for ways to save money and outsourcing will be one thing they are looking at. Every penny will count once Obama-Care kicks in.
Posted by Medical Billing Fort Lauderdale | August 8, 2011, 5:19 pmSince the medical and electronic medical records and to make maintenance and operation of the department staff to coordinate better and faster
Posted by Big_baird | August 10, 2011, 6:52 amChange is needed for all americans with healthcare. However, I do not think that one fix will fix everything. There are still so many out there that cannot afford insurance. I am still worried about these people.
But the ability to have your children on your insurance until they are 26 is great for all kids!
Posted by Joanie S | August 12, 2011, 10:49 amI quite took pleasure in reading your website. I know how difficult it is to get regular enteries as I write a blogg in the writing a will areana in order to folks to plan for thier death. It is a regular struglle to attempt to produce new articles. so great job
Posted by Dave Woodke | August 16, 2011, 2:52 amI am really excited about the new bill especially the part where they can no longer descriminate against people with pre-existing health issues. I never thought that was right.
Posted by Penny E. Rhoads | August 19, 2011, 8:20 amThis would be great but what about those living under the poverty level? If they can’t afford to feed themselves/family, or buy insurance how can they pay a fine? I myself can’t pay for mine and have med bills up whazoo, and not enough to live on. Where does that put us between now and then?
Posted by Kathleen Romano | August 19, 2011, 3:57 pmThis bill will be great for those with a pre-existing condiitions but for everyone having to have health insurance or get fined for it will be hard for those that cannot afford it. I am from Mass and we already have this in effect, we have a state healthcare but if you make to much you donnot qualify for it but you donnot make enough to pay for insurance through your job so you end up getting find when you do your taxes. Some people are lucky enough that if they have children they can get their children on the state health and that maked it easier for them to get health insurance for themselves through work. Now I am hearing that they are trying to get rid of the state healthcare if the insuranc companies lower their premiums than alot more people would be able to afford the insurance through their place of employment.
Posted by Jolene Whaley | August 20, 2011, 7:24 amIt’s great to see a change in the system. This will help many people out. For those who can’t afford health care though there are options that will be available and lessor fees. It’s made to cover everyone and there is alot of fine print be hopefully it will be a blessing in disquise. As coders alot will change for us, billing will have a whole new look I’m sure. We’ll have a lot to leran and keep on our toes.
Posted by stacey moncrief | August 21, 2011, 2:00 pmMany of the changes are grea, especially these listed in the article. Many kids are still in college in their early 20′s and once ot need to establish themselves. Being able to stay on their parents health insurance for a few more years is great. Many of us with pre-existing conditions many times can only afford health care insurance by working for large companies. Many people complain about O’Bama care but with those changes listed, the issue can only improve.
Posted by Terry Moor | August 21, 2011, 3:33 pmIt’s wonderful that now everyone in the US will have health insurance. The only downfall is those people that are going to fall through the cracks because they CANNOT afford the premiums.
Posted by Lisa Binns | August 21, 2011, 10:22 pm