How to Select the Right Medical Billing College near Merrillville Indiana

Now that you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Merrillville IN, it's essential that you select the right program so that you receive the necessary education to guarantee your success. As you may already know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the USA, and more and more options are available both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where does one start? Many aspiring students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may search the internet looking for online schools and go with the least expensive one. But while cost and location are important issues when making your selection, they should not be the sole ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will review a list of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding courses you are evaluating in order to find out what you must know before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the training and certification options offered.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Instruction and Certification

It's important that you receive your education from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not required in many cases to attain a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Indiana schools simply 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 obtain a certificate, which usually takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for most colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly available. After your training has been completed, although not required in most states, you may wish to earn a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. 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).

Graduating from an accredited medical coding and billing program, in conjunction with attaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing healthcare industry.

Medical Coder Job Functions

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Merrillville IN private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies used. There are several codes that are utilized 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 including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government rules that influence coding as well. Incorrectly coded claims may lead to services not being covered, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Merrillville IN doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in earnings every year, a proficient medical coder is a vital asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in any type of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics 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 Description

As important as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Merrillville IN healthcare facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the biller and coder are the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two separate specialists. When the coder has carried out his or her duty, the biller uses the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being adjusted by the appropriate entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:

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

Medical billers not only work for family practices, but also Merrillville IN hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in every kind of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Classes

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online program might be a great alternative. They can be particularly appealing to individuals living in Merrillville IN who anticipate going to school while still working or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added benefit, online schools are in many cases cheaper than the conventional classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's essential to establish that any online program you choose is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will address the advantages 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 organizations, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Training Programs

Now that you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what education options are available, you must start the process of evaluating colleges. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Merrillville IN area, you need to have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat formidable. As we have already discussed, expense and location are going to be significant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be commuting to classes from your Merrillville residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at several of the other questions that you should ask the programs you are considering so that you can evaluate each one and make the best choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's important that the program and college you pick are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you receive will be of the highest quality, it might help with your future employment also. A number of Merrillville IN medical organizations will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only offered for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before enrolling in a medical coding and billing program, find out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is especially important if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will basically be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, making sure that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. Another option is to contact some Merrillville IN healthcare organizations that you may be interested in working for and find out which programs they recommend. Keep in mind that even when the college itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Finding employment in Merrillville IN after graduation in your new field may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding school has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School's Location? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Merrillville IN home, then the location of the college will be of significant importance. Of course if you select an medical billing and coding online program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to bear in mind is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, most charge a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Cost? Medical coding and billing training courses can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the length of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenses also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the college's financial aid department to see what is offered in Merrillville IN. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Many students continue working while attending college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Merrillville IN, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you decide on offers that option. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Class

Choose the Best Merrillville IN Medical Billing and Coding School 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding degree or certificate program is a very important initial step to help assure your success in this exciting sector of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the fastest growing professions in the medical industry. Because of this, there are a lot of vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that provide education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can choose to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also important that the school you choose offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the healthcare field. But however you choose to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the right questions, you will be better able to analyze your options and select the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Merrillville Indiana.