Home >> Massachusetts >> Waltham >> Medical Coding Schools


Medical Billing and Coding Programs Online Waltham MA

How to Choose the Best Medical Billing Program near Waltham Massachusetts

Waltham Massachusetts woman medical biller entering dataNow that you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Waltham MA, it's essential that you select the appropriate school to ensure that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you may already know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the USA, and a growing number of options are offered both online and on campus to receive the training that you need. But just where does one start? A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and go with the least expensive one. But while location and cost are important factors when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. We will cover a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are assessing in order to learn what you need to know prior to making your selection. But first, 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

hundred dollar bills with stethoscope Waltham MassachusettsIt's important that you obtain your training from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not a requirement in many cases to earn a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Massachusetts colleges only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The fastest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which usually takes about one year to finish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for almost all programs requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. When your education has been concluded, although not mandated in the majority of states, you might want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated 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 coding and billing program, together with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new vocation and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare industry.

Medical Coding Job Description

Waltham Massachusetts patient medical records

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Waltham MA medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to analyze 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 equipment or medical supplies 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 rely on information from sources such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accurate reporting, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding also. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a reduced rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Waltham MA physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in income each year, a reliable medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare team. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Description

Waltham Massachusetts medical insurance documents

As important as the medical coder's job is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Waltham MA medical facilities and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Sometimes the coder and biller may be the same individual within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. When the coder has completed her or his job, the biller uses the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional might 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 any that have been denied
  • Work as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for proper claim resolution
  • Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
  • Generate and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Waltham MA emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They can practice in any type of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated by billing third party payers and patients.

Online Medical Biller and Coder Schools

Waltham Massachusetts woman attending medical billing and coding online classesIf you are searching for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding course may be a good alternative. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Waltham MA who anticipate going to school while still working or have other obligations that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional benefit, online colleges are in many cases cheaper than the conventional classroom alternatives. Costs for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. That's why it's important to confirm that any online course you choose is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will review the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to check that any online school you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Schools

Once you have a general idea just what a medical biller and coder does, in addition to what education options are offered, you must begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there many training options available at community colleges and technical, trade and vocational schools within the Waltham MA area, you need to have a ready list of questions to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online colleges that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become rather formidable. As we have already discussed, cost and location are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Waltham residence. And verifying that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's review several of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are considering so that you can evaluate each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's essential that the school and program you choose are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you receive will be of the highest quality, it could help secure future employment as well. Many Waltham MA medical organizations will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only offered for programs that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before selecting a medical coding and billing school, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other colleges. This is especially important if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mostly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have covered, verifying that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. An alternative is to get in touch with a few Waltham MA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which colleges they suggest. Remember that even if the school itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Obtaining employment in Waltham MA after graduating in your new profession might be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing school has a substantial network of healthcare employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the College's Location? If you are planning on driving to class from your Waltham MA residence, then the location of the program will be of significant importance. Obviously if you choose an medical billing and coding online program, then the location of the school will not be important. 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 may want to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical coding and billing training programs can vary in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenditures also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce a portion of the expense, so be sure to get in touch with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Waltham MA. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, some of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while going to college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Waltham MA, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, verify that the college you enroll in offers that alternative. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Get Info on How to Choose a Medical Biller and Coder Program

Choose the Right Waltham MA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Enrolling in the right medical coding and billing degree or certificate course is a crucial initial step to help assure your success in this exciting field of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the most rapidly growing jobs in the medical sector. As a result, there are a lot of vocational schools, junior colleges and other institutions that provide instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have covered, you can elect to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the school you select has an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the healthcare field. But however you decide to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better prepared to analyze your options and choose the right medical billing and coding program. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your career objective to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Waltham Massachusetts.