Search results for "medical billing and coding contractors near me" can be stressful. Read here for a guide to finding medical billing and coding contractors.

Medical billing and coding errors cost providers and patients over $25 billion each year, according to CMS. As a healthcare provider, you can't afford these kinds of mistakes.

Are you searching for "medical billing and coding contractors near me"? Then, it's critical to outsource to competent, compliant services only. 

But, how can you tell which medical billing contractors are best? Learn what sets high-caliber coding contractors apart from the rest. Then, discover how to get affordable, effective medical billing help.

Hiring Medical Billing and Coding Contractors Near Me: Overview

Medical coding transcribes diagnoses, treatments, and medical procedures into standardized, alphanumeric codes. The most common medical code classification systems are:

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

The Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS)

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)

When hiring a medical coder, that coder must be versed in the system your practice uses.

Medical billing professionals submit claims for medical services rendered to insurance companies. As you consider contracting with a service near you, keep four things in mind. 

Account Parameters

Before contracting, determine the parameters of your practice's account. How many employees work at your practice? Is it a specialist practice? Which insurers do you take?

Then, consider your organization's budget. What costs are you currently incurring over disorganized billing and coding practices?

You'll want a service that saves you money in the long run. Ideally, a service will have experience with medical practices with the same specialization as yours.  

Credentials and Referrals

Ask peer practices to refer you to the billing and coding services they use.

And, look at client testimonials for any of the companies that come up in your search. Don't hesitate to reach out to the current or former clients of a given service to learn how they work in practice. 

A contractor's customer service reputation is also critical. Learn about different services' approaches to communication in your research. 

As you do this research, make sure to check the professional credentials of all billing and coding teams. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) certified professional medical billers.

The American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) validates professionals who pass its exam. That's the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) certification exam.

Legal and Professional Standard Compliance

Medical billing and coding services also need to meet compliance standards. Check to ensure your local coding contractors have effective means to secure patient health information on their servers. 

This is critical to comply with HIPAA—and all other patient privacy laws in your state. 

Median Claim Denial Rate

Ask prospective medical billing contractors how often insurers deny their claims. A high claim denial rate can indicate a high rate of errors.

Then, investigate how each service approaches claim denials. How do they ensure they get the revised claim to the insurer within the window?

Automation and High-Tech Solutions

Look for billing and coding services that bring in high-tech solutions.

Tools like robotic process automation software can streamline coding.