How to Find the Right Medical Billing Training Classes near Portland Maine

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Portland ME, it's important that you choose the appropriate program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States, and a growing number of options are offered both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many potential students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may search the internet looking for online classes 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 comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. We will cover a list of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding courses you are evaluating in order to learn what you must know prior to making your decision. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the training and certification options available.

Medical Coder Job Duties

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Portland ME medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to examine the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment used. There are various 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 physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that affect coding also. Incorrectly coded claims can lead to services not being covered, services being paid at a reduced rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Portland ME doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in revenue annually, a good medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare team. They can work in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Summary

As crucial as the medical coder's role is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Portland ME healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder are the same person within a medical facility, but they can also be 2 separate professionals. After the coder has completed her or his job, the biller uses the codes provided to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical biller may also do any of the following:

• Confirm medical insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Act as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
• Generate and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Billing and Coding Online Programs and Certification

It's imperative that you obtain your training from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. While it is not required in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). The majority of Maine colleges only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The most expedient way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which generally takes about one year to finish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for most programs requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not abundantly available. Once your training has been concluded, although not mandated in most states, you may wish to attain a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the field to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. A few 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 program, together with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new career and succeed in the rapid growing medical care industry.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Training

If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then selecting an online medical billing and coding program might be a great alternative. They can be particularly appealing to students living in Portland ME who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have additional responsibilities that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online programs are often less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. That's why it's essential to verify that any online college you choose is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to verify that any online school you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Colleges

Now that you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what training options are offered, you need to start the process of researching colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Portland ME area, you should have a prepared list of questions to analyze each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become somewhat formidable. As we have already covered, cost and location are going to be relevant factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Portland residence. And confirming that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's review a few of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each one and make the right choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the program and school you decide on are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it could help secure future employment as well. Many Portland ME medical organizations will only employ entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training course. And financial assistance and student loans are often only available for colleges that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before choosing a medical coding and billing college, find out what its ranking and reputation are among other programs. This is particularly imperative if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have covered, confirming that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. Another option is to contact several Portland ME healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Obtaining a job in Portland ME after graduation in your new profession might be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Check if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding college has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also indicates that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the College Located? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Portland ME home, then the location of the school will be of prime importance. Naturally if you choose an online medical billing and coding 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 community or junior college, many charge a higher tuition for enrollees that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Expense? Medical billing and coding certification courses can differ in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the length of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial assistance department to see what is available in Portland ME. Naturally if you decide to attend 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 going to college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Portland ME, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time schedule, make sure that the school you pick offers that option. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Billing and Coding Course

Select the Right Portland ME Medical Billing and Coding School 

Enrolling in the ideal medical coding and billing degree or certificate course is a very important first step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding specialty of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the most rapidly expanding careers in the health sector. Because of this, there are many vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that offer training and instruction in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can opt to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the college you choose offers an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care industry. But however you elect to receive your training, by following 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 program. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your career objective to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Portland Maine.