How to Find the Right Medical Billing and Coding Training Program near Stratford Connecticut

Once you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Stratford CT, it's crucial that you choose the appropriate program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you may already know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the Country, and increasingly more options are available both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many future students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online classes and select the least expensive one. But while location and cost are significant issues when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation must be taken into account as well. We will cover a list of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are researching in order to learn what you need to know before making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coder Job Duties

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Stratford CT medical practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services can be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies 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 depend on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Stratford CT physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a proficient medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare team. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to work at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Functions

As important as the medical coder's role is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Stratford CT healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the coder and biller may be the same person within a medical organization, but they can also be two independent specialists. After the coder has performed his or her job, the biller uses the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being adjusted by the appropriate entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

• Confirm medical insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
• Act as an intermediary between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Stratford CT hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may practice in every kind of healthcare facility that depends on the revenues generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Education and Certification

It's important that you get your training from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Even though it is not required in many cases to attain a professional certification, the program you select should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Connecticut colleges simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The fastest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more expansive education, which for the majority of colleges requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely offered. When your education has been concluded, although not mandated in the majority of states, you may want to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective method for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. 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 program, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare field.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Courses

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online course may be an excellent option. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Stratford CT who plan on going to school while still working or have other obligations that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online schools are often less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's important to establish that the online course you select is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to check that any online classes you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this type of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Colleges

Now that you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, along with what training options are offered, you must start the process of researching colleges. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Stratford CT area, you need to have a ready list of questions to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat formidable. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be important factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be traveling to classes from your Stratford residence. And confirming that the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at several of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are reviewing so that you can analyze each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the program and college you choose are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it could help with your future employment as well. A number of Stratford CT medical facilities will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are often only available for programs that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before enrolling in a medical billing and coding college, check out what its reputation and ranking are among other colleges. This is particularly imperative if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will basically be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have covered, making sure that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. Another option is to call a few Stratford CT medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which colleges they recommend. Keep in mind that even if the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be well regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job in Stratford CT after graduation in your new field might be challenging without the support of a job assistance program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the billing and coding school has a considerable network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the College Located? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Stratford CT residence, then the location of the school will be of prime importance. Of course if you select an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be important. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, most charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical billing and coding certification courses can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenses also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial assistance department to see what is offered in Stratford CT. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Stratford CT, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the college you select offers that alternative. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Enroll in a Billing and Coding Class

Select the Right Stratford CT Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Selecting the right medical coding and billing degree or certificate course is a very important first step to help assure your success in this exciting specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the most rapidly growing occupations in the medical industry. Because of this, there are numerous trade schools, community colleges and other institutions that furnish education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can choose to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the college you pick has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care field. But however you elect to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better prepared to analyze your options and select the right medical billing and coding college. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Stratford Connecticut.