The Importance of Software in Today’s Medical Billing and Coding
As the medical field develops, so does the need for accuracy, speed, and compliance in medical billing and coding. There is an increasing preference for electronic health records, digital claims processing, and more complex insurance regulations. Healthcare organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on software to streamline their medical billing and coding processes. These software tools have become integral to workflow tasks such as documentation review and claim submission, supporting both coders and billers alike.
Those entering the field often ask: What is the best software for medical billing and coding? or What is the best medical coding and billing program? Such questions are highly relevant, as the software chosen by medical billers and coders directly affects productivity, accuracy, job satisfaction, and career development. Familiarity with these programs is often a prerequisite for both remote and on-site positions in medical billing and coding.
In the healthcare industry, software tools do more than alleviate administrative burdens — they help organisations reduce errors, decrease claim denials, and ensure healthcare providers are reimbursed appropriately. They also improve efficiency for coders through user-friendly interfaces, embedded resources, and automated recommendations that support compliant, faster decision-making.
Before exploring specific software tools, it is important to understand the primary purpose of having computer programs for medical billing and coding. At the heart of healthcare administration lies the need for reliability and consistency. Coding captures clinical encounters, and billing converts and submits those encounters as claims.
Quick Overview
In today’s healthcare industry, medical billing and coding rely on software to improve accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. From EHR platforms to specialised coding and billing tools, software streamlines documentation, claim submission, and revenue cycle management, reducing errors and accelerating reimbursements.
Whether you’re starting a career in coding, billing, or both, this guide walks you through:
✅ Understanding which tool is used for medical coding.
✅ Learning the most used medical software in hospitals and healthcare systems.
✅ Exploring how coding improves efficiency in healthcare.
✅ Selecting the best software for your role, whether in large hospitals, small clinics, or remote positions.
Software programs make this process more integrated, allowing coders and billers to bypass repetitive tasks while maintaining full oversight. These programs provide coders with the correct code sets, guide billers through the intricacies of insurance policies, and facilitate communication between coders, billers, and healthcare providers, highlighting why choosing the right software is essential in medical billing and coding.
How Software Increases Efficiency in Healthcare
One huge benefit of specialised medical billing and coding software is efficiency. Tools that organise documents, pinpoint key clinical terms, and provide code lookup features help even very experienced coders. These features reduce the time spent switching between manuals, guidelines, and patient records. For billers, software enhances claim accuracy, tracks submission deadlines, and flags errors that can result in insurers rejecting a claim.
More broadly, medical billing and coding software helps teams across the healthcare industry improve efficiency by maintaining consistency across large volumes of patient records. In systems that process thousands of claims every week, even small errors can lead to significant backups. Good software helps reduce these risks with structured workflows, validation tools, and deadline tracking.
Indirectly, these systems also benefit healthcare providers. When billing and coding processes are efficient, providers can receive payments more quickly, resulting in better financial stability. Enhanced overall care quality and improved patient services are additional benefits, as technology supports the system in running smoothly.
Industry’s Most Popular Software and Platforms
Many platforms are available, but a few names frequently appear in job advertisements, training sessions, and healthcare settings. Most platforms used in the industry share key features: easy navigation, reliable code lookup functions, strong compliance mechanisms, and seamless integration with EHR systems.
For medical coding, software that routinely updates ICD-10, procedure coding, and documentation is crucial. Integrated coding tools that assist with code selection, sequencing, and guideline interpretation are widely used by coders. Such platforms streamline the coding process, reducing the risk of errors under high-pressure conditions.
For medical billing, the heart of daily operations is the claim management system. These programmes prepare, submit, and track claims, ensuring each one meets insurer requirements. They also provide payment posting, denial management, and account follow-up, which are vital for sustaining a positive revenue cycle in healthcare organisations.
If you’re wondering, “What is the best software for medical billing and coding” or “What is the best medical coding and billing program,” it’s important to consider each platform’s specialities. Some software is ideal for beginners, remote employees, or experts looking to expand their skillset. Choosing the right program can enhance productivity, reduce mistakes, and provide strong support for billing and coding practitioners.
Top Software that Influences Billing and Coding Workflows
Once you start a career in medical billing and coding, the software you use will quickly become a core part of your everyday work. Each programme has a different approach to structuring patient records, analysing clinical documents, and processing insurance claims. Understanding the functions of these tools—and why industry professionals prefer them—helps you determine which platforms are worth learning to improve your employability.
First, let’s examine the most commonly encountered tools in the industry, which are also highly popular in healthcare organisations and frequently requested in job advertisements. These tools are essential for newcomers to the field.
1. Epic Systems – The Most Popular Medical Software
Epic Systems is one of the most recognised names in healthcare, and it is widely regarded as a leading solution. While most know Epic primarily as an EHR, it is also integrated with medical billing and coding software that helps streamline the entire administrative workflow.
For clinical document coders, Epic offers integrated documentation tools. Coders can access provider notes, lab results, and diagnostic images in a single interface, making it easier to code by locating key medical terms, symptomatology, and sequential events accurately. Epic coders are often the first to receive updates aligned with new coding guidelines and workflow features.
Epic can be described as a system that simplifies and organises claim documentation. Once coding is complete, Epic enables billers to create claims, identify missing documentation, and track claims throughout the reimbursement cycle. Additionally, Epic helps manage accounts receivable, follow up on denied claims, and maintain accurate financial records.
One of Epic’s biggest advantages is its integrated approach. Large healthcare organisations benefit from having clinical documentation, coding, billing, reporting, and communication tools all in one system, which ensures seamless workflows. While other competitors provide similar tools, Epic’s cohesive integration is a significant advantage.
2. Cerner (Oracle Health) – A Powerful Platform for Medical Billing and Coding Support
Cerner, now known as Oracle Health, is another widely used tool in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems worldwide. Like Epic, Cerner functions as a fully integrated EHR system with medical billing and coding capabilities, workflow management, and documentation review. Many organisations prefer Cerner for its flexibility and ability to integrate seamlessly with different clinical and administrative settings.
Coders using Cerner have access to both structured and unstructured clinical documentation, allowing them to fully understand provider notes. Cerner highlights key documentation and provides smooth navigation through patient charts, saving time and keeping data organised even in large volumes.
For billers, Cerner offers tools to create, edit, and track claims. Automated checks identify potential issues, reduce claim denials, and improve reimbursement timelines. Billing teams also benefit from Cerner’s reporting capabilities, which allow monitoring of claim status and productivity across departments.
Adaptability is one of Cerner’s greatest strengths. Healthcare organisations of all sizes—from small clinics to national health systems—can rely on Cerner, making it a software tool frequently encountered by medical billing and coding professionals across diverse work environments.
These first two tools are industry leaders, and their market dominance means that job seekers are often most familiar with them. However, other software platforms also provide unique efficiencies tailored to medical billing and coding tasks and may be valuable depending on specific workplace settings.
If you are exploring options, you might be asking, “What is the best software for medical billing and coding?” or “What is the best medical coding and billing program?” The answer depends on your role, experience, and the workflow needs of your organisation—but knowing these industry-leading systems is an excellent starting point.
Software Tools That Improve Coding Accuracy and Billing Automation
While Epic and Cerner are major players in the hospital EHR marketplace, there are other software systems that are also critical for medical billing and coding. These specialised tools play an essential role in code lookup, claim generation and tracking, compliance monitoring, documentation assistance, and accuracy. Such interfaces are valuable to both novices and experienced professionals alike.
The two software systems discussed here differ from full EHR platforms. They do not attempt to streamline every component of the healthcare workflow but focus specifically on the areas that often frustrate coders and billers: understanding coding regulations, selecting the correct codes, error reduction, and claims management. These specialised tools often form the backbone of coding and revenue cycle management teams.
3. 3M CodeFinder / 3M Encoder – Essential Tools for Medical Coders
When it comes to which tool is used for medical coding, 3M CodeFinder, also known as 3M Encoder, is a system every coder is likely to encounter, regardless of speciality. Unlike EHR platforms such as Epic or Cerner, 3M CodeFinder is designed specifically to enhance coding accuracy and compliance. It provides a systematic guide for coders to navigate the most challenging aspects of medical billing and coding, including rules, relationships between diagnoses and procedures, and proper application of coding mechanisms.
One key benefit of 3M CodeFinder is its ability to read clinical documentation and coding guidelines simultaneously. It doesn’t just provide codes; it guides coders in decision-making. Using 3M’s structured coding documentation, coders can ensure that every code selected is supported by the documentation. This reduces common errors and increases accuracy, especially in complex cases.
For example, in a surgical case, 3M CodeFinder helps identify the primary procedural code, additional necessary codes, and highlights exclusions, inclusions, and sequencing rules—critical for compliant coding. In many organisations, 3M is the final checkpoint before codes are submitted for billing.
Experience with 3M software is highly valuable for career prospects, particularly for those starting in smaller clinics or remote roles. Employers often prefer candidates familiar with 3M because it demonstrates knowledge of structured coding workflows.
4. AdvancedMD – Optimising Billing Speed and Revenue Cycle Management
While 3M focuses on coding accuracy, AdvancedMD is designed to enhance billing efficiency. Its platform combines scheduling, charting, billing, and reporting functions, but its standout features support the healthcare revenue cycle.
The system streamlines the billing process from code entry to claim submission. AdvancedMD verifies errors, flags denials, scrubs claims, performs automated follow-ups, and helps improve claim acceptance rates. This prevents revenue cycle slowdowns caused by rejected or denied claims, ensuring a smoother financial workflow for providers.
Cloud-based access allows billers to securely manage numerous claims remotely, updating payments in real-time and tracking workflow status. This feature is particularly valuable for independent practices and smaller specialist clinics, enabling medical billing and coding from virtually any location.
Another advantage is transparency: billers can monitor where every claim is in the reimbursement cycle and identify bottlenecks before they escalate. This helps practices maintain a continuous healthy cash flow and improves operational efficiency.
Together, 3M CodeFinder and AdvancedMD represent the balance of medical billing and coding work: one ensures clinical accuracy, while the other supports efficient financial workflows. Coders benefit from structured, rule-based guidance, while billers need reliable automation to manage large volumes of claims. Both are indispensable when speed and accuracy are essential.
Ultimately, understanding how coding improves efficiency in healthcare is clear when using these tools: accurate coding reduces errors, streamlines claims, and ensures timely reimbursement, which enhances both financial stability and patient care.
The Final of the 12 Tools and How to Select the Best Software for Your Particular Role
When reviewing systems that support the daily workflow of medical billing and coding professionals, one more major tool deserves attention. This system is particularly valuable for organisations aiming to make billing, claim management, and payment tracking as seamless as possible. For professionals entering the industry, familiarity with this software provides a significant advantage, especially for remote roles or positions in private practices.
5. Kareo: A Favourite for Billing Teams and Small Healthcare Practices
Kareo’s billing software is one of the most trusted and preferred tools for small clinics, independent providers, and remote billing companies. Its simplicity and intuitive design make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced billers.
The Kareo platform streamlines the entire claims process. Once a claim is coded, the software guides the biller through submission, verifying it against the payer’s rules and potential denial risks. This improves communication between payers and billers and reduces the likelihood of rejected claims. Users often praise Kareo’s design, which allows them to navigate seamlessly from patient information to claim status.
The ability to work remotely is a major advantage of Kareo. As a cloud-based system, billers can access the platform from anywhere, managing claims without needing to be physically present in a clinic or office. This is particularly appealing to freelance billers, outsourced billing companies, and UK-based remote billers working with international healthcare organisations.
Kareo also offers analytics tools, including report generation, tracking of financial performance, and identifying irregular patterns, which helps refine processes and improve revenue over time. While Kareo is not a full EHR system like Epic or Cerner, it effectively handles clean claims, organised payment workflows, and faster reimbursements, making it a specialised tool for medical billing and coding.
For those asking “Which tool is used for medical coding,” Kareo demonstrates how a dedicated billing platform can complement coding systems to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Understanding how coding improves efficiency in healthcare is clear when using platforms like Kareo: accurate coding reduces errors, accelerates claim submission, and streamlines reimbursement processes, enhancing financial stability and overall operational efficiency.
Overall Value of the 5 Tools Together
The five tools described in this guide each serve unique functions in the field of medical billing and coding:
- Epic and Cerner (Oracle Health) dominate the large-scale healthcare system sector, offering integrated EHR and billing module utilities. These platforms are essential for coders and billers in major hospitals and large healthcare networks.
- 3M CodeFinder is a market leader in coding accuracy, guideline interpretation, and validation of documentation, providing coders with structured decision-making tools.
- AdvancedMD excels in revenue cycle management for practices, with a billing workflow optimiser that streamlines claims, payments, and follow-ups.
- Kareo is recognised as the most user-friendly software for remote billing and is widely used by small healthcare providers and independent practices.
The best program for an individual largely depends on where they work or intend to work. Large hospitals typically use Epic or Cerner, coding departments rely heavily on 3M CodeFinder, and billing teams in small to mid-sized physician practices often use AdvancedMD or Kareo. Understanding how each system functions demonstrates your preparedness for the field and your commitment to prospective employers, helping reduce competition for roles.
How to Choose Which Software to Learn First
The software you decide to learn first should align with your career goals within medical billing and coding.
- If your focus is coding, choose software that emphasises rule-based coding and clinical documentation. 3M CodeFinder provides a strong foundation, helping learners understand how coders interact with complex clinical data and ensuring compliance. For those wondering “Which tool is used for medical coding,” 3M CodeFinder is an industry-standard choice.
- If your focus is billing—including claims, payments, and insurer communication—software such as AdvancedMD and Kareo is ideal. These platforms allow users to navigate the claims process, gain payer knowledge, and build confidence in revenue cycle management.
Learning both coding and billing software is highly advantageous for professionals who wish to diversify their skill set and increase versatility. While some platforms are not publicly accessible, many third-party solutions offer practice simulations to teach users how to navigate live systems effectively.
Understanding how coding improves efficiency in healthcare becomes evident when using these tools: accurate coding reduces errors, streamlines claim submission, accelerates reimbursements, and enhances both financial stability and overall operational efficiency in healthcare organisations.
Why Software Skills are Important for the Future of Medical Billing and Coding
Job advertisements for 2025 increasingly emphasise familiarity with software as a key requirement. While entry-level roles may not initially demand advanced software knowledge, having the education to understand and use these tools demonstrates your ability to work effectively in the fast-paced administrative environment that employers value. Knowing how to navigate software, troubleshoot independently, and maintain attention to detail within documentation are all attributes that set candidates apart.
Sooner or later, a coder or biller will need to automate tasks or risk falling behind. Proficiency with automation tools allows professionals to improve workflow, complete tasks more efficiently, manage a higher volume of work, and maintain better control over processes. Combining education with automation skills will enable coders and billers to perform at an unprecedented level.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Tools That Shape Your Success
Reliable medical billing and coding software is essential across all healthcare settings, from large hospitals to private practices, including remote UK contractors working for international health systems. Focusing on and learning the tools that are widely used positions you as a highly employable professional in a dynamic field.
- Epic and Cerner are best for large-scale workflows and are widely recognised as what is the most used medical software in hospitals and health systems.
- 3M CodeFinder is best for coding and answers the question “What software do most coders use”, as it is an industry-standard tool for accurate coding and documentation compliance.
- AdvancedMD and Kareo are best for billing, streamlining claims, and improving revenue cycle efficiency.
This combination of software provides an excellent foundation for anyone entering the field. Learning the software used in the administration of modern healthcare does more than qualify you for a position—it positions you as a highly competent and desirable candidate.