How to Pick the Best Medical Billing and Coding College near Bangor Maine

Once you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Bangor ME, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you receive the necessary education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, and more and more options are available both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where do you start? A number of aspiring students start by searching for programs that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they may search the internet looking for online schools and pick the cheapest one. But while cost and location are important factors when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will cover a list of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are researching so that you can learn 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 educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coding Job Functions

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Bangor ME private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to review the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment used. There are multiple 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 use information from sources such as nursing and physician 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 working knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims can lead to services not being covered, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Bangor ME doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in earnings each year, a proficient medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare team. They can work in any type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not uncommon 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 job is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Bangor ME medical facilities and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the biller and coder may be the same man or woman within a healthcare facility, but they can also be 2 individual professionals. When the coder has completed her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Act as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim settlement
• Generate and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only work for private practices, but also Bangor ME hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may work in any type of healthcare facility that depends on the revenues generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Programs and Certification

It's important that you receive your training from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Even though it is not required in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Maine schools simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The most expedient way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about 1 year to complete. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for the majority of colleges calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely available. After your training has been concluded, although not required in the majority of states, you might want 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 occupation. Some of the organizations that offer 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 course, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare field.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Training

If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online school might be an excellent option. They can be particularly appealing to those living in Bangor ME who plan on going to school while continuing to work or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online schools are frequently cheaper than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's important to confirm that the online college you choose is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to verify that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to commit yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Programs

Now that you have a general idea what a medical biller and coder does, in addition to what training options are available, you need to begin the process of evaluating colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Bangor ME area, you should have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online programs that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become somewhat daunting. As we have already discussed, location and cost are going to be important factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Bangor home. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's take a look at a few of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing so that you can analyze each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's essential that the program and college you pick are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it could help with your future employment also. Many Bangor ME medical facilities will only hire entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are often only obtainable for colleges that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical billing and coding school, check out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other programs. This is especially important if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will mainly be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the college is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. An alternative is to contact a few Bangor ME healthcare organizations that you may be interested in working for and find out which programs they recommend. Bear in mind that even when the school itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Finding employment in Bangor ME after graduating in your new profession might be challenging without the help of a job placement program. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is a good indication that the billing and coding college 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 planning on driving to class from your Bangor ME home, then the location of the program will be of significant importance. Of course if you enroll in an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be a consideration. One thing to remember is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first consider those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Cost? Medical billing and coding certification programs can vary in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the length of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also include such items as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be available to help reduce a portion of the cost, so be sure to contact the college's financial assistance department to find out what is available in Bangor ME. Of course if you decide to attend an online college, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? A number of students continue working while going to school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes during the evenings or on weekends near Bangor ME, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, confirm that the school you decide on provides that option. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Program

Select the Best Bangor ME Medical Billing and Coding School 

Picking the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a very important first step to help ensure your success in this rewarding field of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest expanding professions in the health industry. As a result, there are numerous trade schools, junior colleges and other institutions that offer 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 imperative that the school you select has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare industry. But however you decide to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to evaluate your options and pick the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper education, you can realize your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Bangor Maine.