Communication skills

Loetta Edwards, a medical billing and coding instructor at the Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education program, also serves as a medical billing and coding instructor at the Academy of Hope in Washington D.C. Edwards explains that communication skills are key for medical billers and coders. “Communicating with patients, staff and executives is part of the job and many are afraid of—or not comfortable with—talking to others,” says Edwards.

Medical billers and coders need to be comfortable communicating in several ways. Face-to-face communication as well as communication over the phone are daily elements of the job. Additionally, clear written communication skills are essential, including through email, so spelling and grammar should be part of the communication skills package.

Interpersonal skills

In addition to communication skills, interpersonal skills are important in medical billing and coding. Billers and coders need to be able to build rapport with other team members, insurance providers and patients. Building a positive relationship with these individuals can help facilitate effective teamwork and collaboration, and billers and coders need to be able to listen, empathize and engage with others.

Interpersonal skills also contribute to a professional’s customer service talents. The ability to hold difficult conversations, interact calmly with upset patients and build patient trust are all critical components to creating an ideal customer experience.

Problem-solving skills

Strong problem-solving skills are essential for medical billers and coders. Billers and coders may need to analyze problems, identify the cause and propose effective solutions. Creativity can also be a valuable asset when it comes to problem-solving.

Time management skills

Medical billers and coders must effectively juggle many responsibilities, and they may be faced with changing deadlines and priorities. Strong time management skills are key to success in this environment, and professionals must be able to adapt and quickly change their focus and move back and forth between different responsibilities and tasks.

A strong understanding of how to effectively manage time can help boost productivity, so professionals stand out for the right reasons. They need to understand how to prioritize their work, but also need the flexibility to be able to respond to changes in the work environment. Since billers and coders spend part of their time working independently, they need to be focused and motivated enough to effectively manage their time to avoid missing deadlines.

Organizational skills

Strong organizational skills help ensure that the billing and coding office runs smoothly. Medical billers and coders need to organize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and they also need to be able to keep detailed records and notes. Professionals who have an understanding of their own organizational habits and weaknesses may excel, since they can identify ways to maximize organization so tasks aren’t overlooked. Being willing to use organizational tools, such as digital calendars, is also helpful.

Self-motivation

While medical billers and coders are part of a team and must maintain close working relationships with others, they also need to be able to work independently. A strong sense of self-motivation will help medical billers and coders stay on task and succeed in the workplace.

Patience

A career as a medical biller and coder can be trying, so patience is a key soft skill to have. Billers and coders may need to navigate sensitive situations, work with frustrated patients and have difficult conversations with insurance companies. It’s important that they can stay calm and focused during stressful and challenging situations.

Stress management and self-care

In addition to patience, stress management is also important for billers and coders. This career can be stressful, especially given how important it is to ensure that work is completed promptly and accurately. Medical billers and coders who understand the importance of stress management and who practice self-care to help relieve stress are more likely to succeed in this field long-term. Effectively managing stress can allow professionals to be more focused on their work, and it can also contribute to their relationships and interactions with others.