How to Enroll In the Right Medical Biller and Coder College near Lewiston Maine

Now that you have decided to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Lewiston ME, it's important that you select the appropriate program so that you receive the necessary education to guarantee your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing sectors in the Country, and a growing number of options are available both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one start? Many potential students start by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may search the internet looking for online courses and go with the least expensive one. But while location and cost are important issues when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will review a checklist of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding courses you are evaluating so that you can find out what you need to know prior to making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the training and certification options offered.

Medical Coding and Billing Online Education and Certification

It's essential that you receive 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 earn a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Maine colleges simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The fastest way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which typically takes about one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for most colleges calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not abundantly available. After your education has been concluded, although not required in the majority of states, you may desire to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. Just some of the organizations that provide 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, along with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the rapid growing medical care field.

Medical Coder Job Functions

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Lewiston ME medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to examine the treatment records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies 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. Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accurate reporting, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government rules that affect coding as well. Improperly 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 in fact cost Lewiston ME physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a good medical coder is a vital asset for any healthcare team. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Functions

As vital as the medical coder's job is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Lewiston ME medical organizations and are practically responsible for keeping them in business. In many cases the biller and coder can be the same man or woman within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two individual professionals. Once the coder has completed her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the applicable entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional might also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been declined
• Function as an intermediary between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Generate and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only are employed by family practices, but also Lewiston ME emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They may practice in any kind of healthcare facility that relies on the incomes generated by billing third party payers and patients.

Online Medical Biller and Coder Classes

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online program may be a great option. They can be especially attractive to individuals living in Lewiston ME who anticipate attending school while still working or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online programs are in many cases less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Costs for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. That's why it's essential to confirm that any online program you choose is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to establish that any online school 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 apply yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Schools

Now that you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, along with what education options are offered, you must start the process of evaluating schools. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Lewiston ME area, you must have a prepared list of questions to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical coding and billing classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Lewiston residence. And verifying that the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's review several of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each one and make the right choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's essential that the program and school you choose are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you receive will be of superior quality, it may help secure future employment as well. A number of Lewiston ME medical organizations will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding educational program. And financial aid and student loans are frequently only offered for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before enrolling in a medical billing and coding program, find out what its ranking and reputation are among other schools. This is particularly important 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 discussed, making sure that the school is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. An alternative is to contact several Lewiston ME healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and find out which colleges they recommend. Keep in mind that even when the college itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Finding employment in Lewiston ME after graduating in your new profession may be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a considerable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also suggests that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School's Location? If you are intending on driving to class from your Lewiston ME residence, then the location of the program will be of significant importance. Obviously if you select an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing certification courses can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Costs also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to get in touch with the school's financial assistance department to see what is available in Lewiston ME. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lewiston ME, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, confirm that the college you select offers that alternative. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Enroll in a Medical Billing Course

Enroll in the Right Lewiston ME Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Enrolling in the right medical coding and billing degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to help assure your success in this exciting specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the most rapidly growing professions in the health industry. As a result, there are many vocational schools, community colleges and companies that offer training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, 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 excellent reputation within the healthcare field. But however you choose to receive your education, by following 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 achieve your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Lewiston Maine.