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

Once you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Portland ME, it's crucial that you find the right program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the United States, and a growing number of options are available both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many potential students begin by looking for programs that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online classes and go with the least expensive one. But while location and cost are relevant factors when making your selection, they should not be the sole ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account as well. We will go over a list of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding courses you are assessing in order to find out what you need to know prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Coding and Billing Online Instruction and Certification

It's important that you receive your training from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Although it is not a requirement in many cases to earn a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Maine schools just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The fastest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for the majority of colleges requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely available. When your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you may desire to earn a professional certification. Certification is an effective way for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed 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).

Completing an accredited medical billing and coding course, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the fast growing healthcare industry.

Medical Coding Job Description

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Portland ME private practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to review the treatment 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 several 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 including physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accurate reporting, but must have a functioning knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims may lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Portland ME hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in earnings every year, a good medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare team. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and urgent care centers. It is not uncommon for professional medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Summary

As essential as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Portland ME medical facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder may be the same person within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two separate professionals. After the coder has performed his or her job, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Check on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been denied
• Work as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Biller and Coder Online Training

If you are searching for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online school may be a good alternative. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Portland ME who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online colleges are frequently cheaper than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things 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 important to verify that the online college you select is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to verify that any online instruction you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Schools

Now that you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are offered, you need to begin the process of researching colleges. But since there a large number of training options available at community colleges and vocational, technical and trade schools within the Portland ME area, you need to have a prepared list of questions in order to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become rather daunting. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be significant issues, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be driving to classes from your Portland home. And whether or not the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's take a look at some of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the right choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's important that the program and college you choose are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it might help with your future employment as well. Many Portland ME healthcare organizations will only employ entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only offered for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical coding and billing school, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other programs. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, making sure that the college is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. An alternative is to check with a few Portland ME medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask 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 well regarded.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Obtaining a job in Portland ME after graduating in your new profession can be difficult without the support of a job assistance program. Check if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement 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 indicates that the school'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 Portland ME residence, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Of course if you enroll in an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be important. 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 pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing certification courses can vary in cost based on the type of credential earned and the length of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenditures also include such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the college's financial aid department to see what is available in Portland ME. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Many 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 Portland ME, verify that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, verify that the school you choose offers that option. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Choose a Medical Billing Class

Select the Right Portland ME Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Choosing the ideal medical billing and coding degree or certificate course is a very important first step to help ensure your success in this exciting specialty of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest expanding occupations in the medical industry. As a result, there are numerous vocational schools, community colleges and companies that furnish instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have discussed, you can opt to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the school you pick offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care industry. But however you decide to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to evaluate your options and pick the right medical billing and coding program. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Portland Maine.