How to Choose the Right Medical Billing and Coding School near Bangor Maine

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Bangor ME, it's important that you find the appropriate school to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in the Country, and a growing number of options are offered both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many aspiring students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they might surf the internet looking for online schools and go with the least expensive one. But while cost and location are significant factors when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration also. We will go over a list of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are researching so that you can find out what you must know prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the educational and certification options available.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Education and Certification

It's essential that you receive your education from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not required in many cases to attain a professional certification, the school you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Maine programs simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The most expedient way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which normally takes about one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for almost all colleges requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not widely available. After your education has been concluded, although not required in the majority of states, you might desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an excellent way for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their career. 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, combined with attaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare field.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Bangor ME medical practices and hospitals. 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 various 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 depend on information from sources including 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 functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims may result in services not being covered, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Bangor ME hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in earnings each year, a proficient medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare team. They can work in every kind 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 vital as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Bangor ME medical organizations and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the coder and biller are the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two independent professionals. Once the coder has carried out his or her duty, the biller uses the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles or additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:

• Check medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
• Function as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for proper claim resolution
• Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Bangor ME emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in every kind of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated by billing third party payers and patients.

Online Medical Biller and Coder Colleges

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding course may be a good option. They can be particularly attractive to those living in Bangor ME who plan on attending school while continuing to work or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an additional benefit, online programs are in many cases cheaper than the traditional classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online programs are reputable. For that reason it's essential to verify that the online program you select is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to verify that any online college you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this mode of learning, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Now that you have a better idea just what a medical biller and coder does, in addition to what education options are offered, you need to start the process of researching schools. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Bangor ME area, you must have a prepared list of questions to assess each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be relevant factors, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be commuting to classes from your Bangor home. And verifying that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's take a look at several of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the program and college you choose are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you receive will be of the highest quality, it could help secure future employment as well. Many Bangor ME healthcare facilities will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only offered for colleges that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before selecting a medical coding and billing program, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other schools. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will primarily be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the program is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school also. Another option is to check with some Bangor ME medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which colleges they suggest. Remember that even when the college itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Obtaining a job in Bangor ME after graduating in your new profession can be challenging without the support of a job assistance program. Check if the colleges you are considering 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 college has a considerable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School's Location? If you are intending on driving to class from your Bangor ME residence, then the location of the college will be of prime importance. Of course if you enroll in an online medical billing and coding program, then the location of the school 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 require a higher tuition for enrollees that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first research those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical coding and billing training courses can fluctuate in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the college's financial assistance department to find out what is offered in Bangor ME. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending college and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bangor ME, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part time schedule, check that the college you decide on offers that option. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Choose a Medical Billing Course

Enroll in the Best Bangor ME Medical Billing and Coding School 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to help assure your success in this rewarding field of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the fastest growing careers in the health sector. Because of this, there are a lot of trade schools, community colleges and companies that provide instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can elect to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the college you choose has an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the medical care industry. But however you elect to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and pick the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Bangor Maine.