How to Choose the Right Medical Biller and Coder Program near Lansing Michigan

Once you have decided to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Lansing MI, it's important that you select the right school so that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you may already 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 obtain the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many aspiring students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes 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 significant issues when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will review a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding courses you are assessing so that you can find out what you need to know before making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Lansing MI medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to examine 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 medical supplies or equipment 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 such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government rules that affect coding also. Incorrectly coded claims may result in services not being paid for, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Lansing MI hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in earnings every year, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare team. They can work in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Description

As essential as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Lansing MI medical facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the biller and coder can be the same person within a medical facility, but they can also be two independent professionals. When the coder has completed his or her duty, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After being paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and additional out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:

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

Medical billing clerks not only are employed by private practices, but also Lansing MI emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They can work in any type of healthcare facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding college might be a great option. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Lansing MI who anticipate attending school while continuing to work or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added benefit, online colleges are in many cases cheaper than the standard classroom alternatives. Expenses for such items 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 establish that any online course you choose is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to confirm that any online classes you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to commit yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Once you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what training options are available, you need to begin the process of researching schools. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Lansing MI area, you need to have a ready list of questions to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online programs that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat formidable. As we have already covered, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Lansing residence. And verifying that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's take a look at some of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at so that you can analyze each one and make the best choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's essential that the program and college you decide on are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the training you receive will be of the highest quality, it may help with your future employment as well. A number of Lansing MI healthcare facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only obtainable for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical coding and billing school, find out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other programs. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will primarily be relying on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, confirming that the school is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school also. An alternative is to get in touch with a few Lansing MI medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which programs they suggest. Remember that even when the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Obtaining a job in Lansing MI after graduating in your new field might be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the billing and coding college 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 planning on driving to class from your Lansing MI home, then the location of the program will be of prime importance. Of course if you select an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the school will not be important. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, most require a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first research those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing training courses can vary in cost based on the type of credential earned and the amount of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenses also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset a portion of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Lansing MI. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, some of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate 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 Lansing MI, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time schedule, check that the college you select offers that alternative. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Select a Medical Biller and Coder Course

Select the Best Lansing MI Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Selecting the right medical billing and coding degree or certificate course is a crucial first step to help ensure your success in this rewarding field of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the most rapidly growing occupations in the health sector. Because of this, there are numerous vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that furnish instruction and training in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the school you select has an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the medical care community. But however you choose to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and pick the ideal medical billing and coding program. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Lansing Michigan.