5 Medical Coding and Billing Trends to Watch in 2024

by  Find-A-Code™
Dec 4th, 2023

One thing we can say about medical coding and billing is that it never stops changing. Change is part of the game. Keeping up with changes is often a matter of watching trends so that one isn't caught off guard when new changes are implemented. With that in mind, we believe there are some medical coding and billing trends to watch closely in 2024.

Below are five such trends. As you read, keep in mind that Find-A-Code will continue to be your best online source for ICD-10, CPT, and other codes. We are committed to making sure our datasets remain current and consistent with industry best practices. And now, on to the five trends to watch in 2024.

1. AI and Machine Learning Features

The hottest trend across all of technology is greater implementation of both artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Everywhere you look, software developers are incorporating new AI and machine learning features. In medical coding and billing, the new features should lead to greater efficiency and fewer errors. As with all new technology, there will be a learning curve and a few hiccups along the way, but it does look promising.

It is not likely that either AI or machine learning will render human coders and billers irrelevant. In other words, you are not likely to be replaced by a machine. But the chances are pretty high that you will have to learn how to use new AI and machine learning features. The learning opportunities could start coming as early as next year.

2. Greater Emphasis on Value-Based Care

Value-based care was one of the end goals when Congress first began discussing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) more than a decade ago. Though healthcare has not trended towards value-based care with any real enthusiasm, the tide is beginning to turn. Expect more healthcare providers to emphasize value-based care over the older fee-for-service model. It is going to impact the way you do your job.

3. More Emphasis on Big Data

Big data, as an analytics philosophy, is rooted in collecting as much data as possible and then analyzing it in search of useful information. It is being embraced with greater frequency in healthcare for the purposes of predictive analysis. Expect to see more advanced data analytics tools developed to increase medical coding and billing accuracy. Expect analytics tools to be used to audit your work.

This is not a bad thing, by the way. Greater accuracy makes both billers and payers happier. When they are happier, so are you. There is nothing wrong with that.

4. More Integration With EHRs

Electronic health records (EHRs) were mandated about the same time the ACA went into effect. But actual implementation of interoperability has remained problematic due to EHR platforms that were developed based on proprietary interests rather than industry standards. Like value-based care though, the tide is turning with EHRs.

Do not be surprised to see greater integration between EHR platforms and medical billing software. As EHRs more closely adopt industry standards, the potential to integrate platforms with other pieces of software only expands.

5. Greater Compliance Enforcement

Finally, expect a renewed focus from Washington in terms of compliance enforcement. Now that the public health emergency related to COVID is technically over, and most of the emergency measures implemented to address the pandemic have expired, it is back to enforcement. Compliance has a new urgency in 2024.

The next 12 months will undoubtedly see medical coding and billing continue to evolve. That much is not going to change. But if the five trends described in this post come to fruition, things will look a lot different at this time next year. It's an exciting time to be a medical coder or biller; at least for some.