Medical Biller Certification – Professionalism as a Medical Biller

A medical biller must be a consummate professional.  Since medical billers handle protected health information, it is very important that they act in a professional manner at all times. Professionalism means behaving in a way that reflects well on yourself, the practice you work for. Professionalism entails maintaining patient confidentiality and protecting the patient medical record following all HIPAA laws, rules, and regulations.  Professionalism also includes having standards and practices that protect patient confidentiality and that seek to increase reimbursement following standard and acceptable practices and guidelines.

Professionalism also includes how you dress and interact with coworkers and the public. Dressing modestly in a medical office is always best. Wearing less jewelry, makeup, and avoiding extreme hairstyles is a good practice. Being polite and courteous with coworkers and patients is crucial for a successful medical biller. Additionally, professionalism over the phone with payers and patients entails speaking in a clear and concise manner and being patient and polite.

Medical Biller Certification – Professionalism as a Medical Biller

Other areas of professionalism would be related to having and maintaining professional credentials.  The AAPC (www.aapc.com) offers a new medical billing credential that is boosting the level of professionalism amongst medical billers. Becoming certified is a mark of a true professional. Maintaining your credential through continuing education units also helps the professional medical biller stay up-to-date on trends within the industry. The professional medical biller can then explain these trends, changes, updates to other staff  within their facility.

Medical billers work within their scope of practice, which covers their responsibilities and qualifications within the industry.  Types of responsibilities would include billing the patient encounter, following up on and resubmitting denied claims, working with the accounts receivables, and assisting patient’s in understanding their health insurance policy rules and regulations.

Medical billing is a great career.  After receiving training, graduating, and getting your certification, it is then up to you to maintain a professional persona within the industry.  Being viewed as a professional within your field should be your number one goal.

By: Dawn Moreno, PhD, CBCS, CMAA, MTC. Lives in the beautiful Southwest United States and has been an instructor for medical coding/billing for the past 7 years.  Interested in quality medical billing training?  

Get More Information about Medical Biller Certification

Medical Billing Online Courses – Modifiers for Medical Billers

AAPC – Entry Level Medical Biller/Coder