Home >> Massachusetts >> Franklin >> Medical Billing And Coding Online Courses


Medical Billing and Coding Programs Online Franklin MA

How to Choose the Right Medical Billing and Coding School near Franklin Massachusetts

Franklin Massachusetts female medical coder at her computerOnce you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Franklin MA, it's essential that you select the right school so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the Country, and increasingly more options are offered both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one start? A number of potential students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they may surf the internet looking for online courses and choose the cheapest one. But while cost and location are significant factors when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation must 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 in order to learn what you must know prior to making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Coder and Biller Online Instruction and Certification

hundred dollar bills with stethoscope Franklin MassachusettsIt's important that you obtain your education from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not required in most cases to earn a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Massachusetts programs only require that you earn 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 typically takes about one year to finish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more expansive education, which for the majority of colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not abundantly available. After your training has been completed, although not mandated in most states, you might want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great means for those new to the field to show prospective 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 billing and coding program, along with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing medical care industry.

Medical Coder Job Description

Franklin Massachusetts patient health files

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Franklin MA 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 may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies utilized. 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 including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that impact coding also. Improperly coded claims may result in services not being covered, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Franklin MA hospitals and doctors many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a proficient medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to work at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Description

Franklin Massachusetts medical insurance forms

As vital as the medical coder's job is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Franklin MA healthcare facilities and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder may be the same man or woman within a medical organization, but they can also be two separate professionals. After the coder has carried out his or her job, the biller uses the codes furnished to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:

  • Confirm health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
  • Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
  • Work as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim settlement
  • Create and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
  • Generate and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for private practices, but also Franklin MA emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They may work in any kind of healthcare facility that relies on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

Franklin Massachusetts student attending medical biller and coder online classesIf you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online course might be an excellent alternative. They can be particularly appealing to individuals living in Franklin MA who plan on attending school while still working or have other obligations that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online programs are frequently less expensive than the conventional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's essential to verify that the online college you choose is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to establish that any online instruction you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Training Programs

Once you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are available, you must begin the process of comparing colleges. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Franklin MA area, you need to have a ready list of questions in order to analyze each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical coding and billing classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already covered, expense and location are going to be important factors, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Franklin residence. And verifying that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's take a look at a few of the other questions that you should ask the programs you are considering so that you can analyze each one and make the right choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's crucial that the program and college you decide on are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you receive will be of the highest quality, it could help with your future employment as well. A number of Franklin MA healthcare facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training program. And financial assistance and student loans are often only available for programs that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before picking a medical billing and coding school, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other programs. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will mostly be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have covered, confirming that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. An alternative is to check with several Franklin MA healthcare organizations that you might be interested in working for and find out which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Placement Program? Obtaining employment in Franklin MA after graduation in your new field can be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance 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 sizable network of healthcare 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 planning on driving to class from your Franklin MA residence, 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 school will not be a factor. One thing to bear in mind 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 want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Cost? Medical coding and billing certification courses can vary in cost depending on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to check with the college's financial aid department to find out what is available in Franklin MA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Many students continue working while attending college and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Franklin MA, make sure that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part time schedule, confirm that the program you pick offers that option. Also, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Get Info on How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Course

Select the Right Franklin MA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Choosing the ideal medical coding and billing certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to help assure your success in this rewarding field of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the most rapidly expanding careers in the health industry. As a result, there are many vocational schools, community colleges and companies that furnish education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can choose to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also imperative that the school you choose offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the right questions, you will be better prepared to evaluate your options and pick the ideal medical billing and coding college. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Franklin Massachusetts.