How to Select the Best Medical Billing and Coding School near Mountain View California

Once you have made a decision to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Mountain View CA, it's important that you find the right school to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in the Country, and a growing number of options are offered both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where do you start? A number of potential students begin by searching for programs that are within driving distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online courses and select the least expensive one. But while cost and location are relevant factors when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration also. We will cover a checklist of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating so that you can find out what you must know prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the training and certification options available.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Training and Certification

It's essential that you obtain your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in many cases to attain a professional certification, the program you select should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). The majority of California schools only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The fastest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to attain a certificate, which normally takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more comprehensive education, which for most programs requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely available. After your training has been concluded, although not required in the majority of states, you may desire to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective method for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. Just some of the organizations that make available certifications are:

• American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
• Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC).
• The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS).
• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Completing an accredited medical billing and coding course, together with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare industry.

Medical Coder Job Summary

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Mountain View CA private practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to examine the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment used. There are several codes that are used in this conversion process, including the following:

• CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology).
• ICD codes (International Classification of Diseases).
• HCPCS codes (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding).

Medical coders rely on information from sources such as physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding as well. Incorrectly coded claims can lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Mountain View CA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare team. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Functions

As essential as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Mountain View CA medical organizations and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder can be the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two separate professionals. When the coder has performed his or her job, the biller uses the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been paid by the appropriate organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:

• Confirm health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
• Check on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as an intermediary between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
• Create and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Mountain View CA emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They can work in any type of healthcare facility that relies on the revenues generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs

If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then selecting an online medical billing and coding course may be an excellent alternative. They can be particularly attractive to individuals living in Mountain View CA who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online schools are often less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Costs for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's important to verify that the online program you choose is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to confirm that any online instruction you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Courses

Now that you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, along with what education options are available, you need to begin the process of comparing schools. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges and technical, trade and vocational schools within the Mountain View CA area, you must have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already discussed, cost and location are going to be relevant factors, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be driving to classes from your Mountain View home. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at a few of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the right choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's important that the program and school you pick are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you get will be of superior quality, it may help secure future employment also. Many Mountain View CA healthcare organizations will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial aid and student loans are often only obtainable for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical billing and coding school, check out what its ranking and reputation are among other colleges. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, verifying that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. Another option is to get in touch with several Mountain View CA healthcare organizations that you might be interested in working for and find out which colleges they suggest. Keep in mind that even when the school itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Obtaining employment in Mountain View CA after graduation in your new field can be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a significant network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are intending on driving to class from your Mountain View CA home, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Of course if you select an online medical billing and coding program, then the location of the college will not be a factor. One thing to bear in mind is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing certification courses can differ in cost depending on the type of credential earned and the length of training furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenditures also consist of such items as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce a portion of the expense, so be sure to get in touch with the school's financial assistance department to see what is available in Mountain View CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online college, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Match your Schedule? Many students keep working while going to college and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Mountain View CA, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, check that the school you pick provides that alternative. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Learn How to Select a Billing and Coding School

Enroll in the Right Mountain View CA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Selecting the right medical coding and billing degree or certificate course is a critical first step to help assure your success in this exciting specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the fastest expanding jobs in the health industry. As a result, there are numerous trade schools, community colleges and other institutions that provide training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have reviewed, you can opt to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the school you select offers an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care industry. But however you elect to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and choose the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical billing and coding clerk in Mountain View California.