How to Enroll In the Right Medical Billing and Coding Training Program near Lansing Michigan

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Lansing MI, it's crucial that you choose 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 fields in the USA, and increasingly more options are available both on campus and online to obtain the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many aspiring students begin by looking for programs that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online classes and pick the least expensive one. But while location and cost are relevant issues when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. We will go over a checklist of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are researching 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 training and certification options offered.

Medical Coding and Billing Online Instruction and Certification

It's important that you get your training from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Michigan colleges only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The most expedient way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which typically takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for almost all colleges requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely offered. After your education has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you may want to attain a professional certification. Certification is an excellent means for those new to the field to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. 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).

Graduating from an accredited medical billing and coding program, together with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the fast growing healthcare field.

Medical Coder Job Description

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Lansing MI private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies used. There are multiple 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 use information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. 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 affect coding also. Improperly coded claims can result in 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 actually cost Lansing MI doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a proficient medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare organization. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Description

As vital as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Lansing MI medical facilities and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder can be the same individual within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 individual specialists. Once the coder has performed her or his duty, the biller uses the codes provided to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the appropriate entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:

• Verify health insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been declined
• Act as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Online Medical Billing and Coding Colleges

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online school may be an excellent alternative. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Lansing MI who anticipate attending school while still working or have additional commitments that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online colleges are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be minimized or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. For that reason it's essential to establish that the online course you select is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to verify that any online school you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to commit yourself to this style of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Schools

Once you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what education options are available, you need to begin the process of evaluating colleges. But since there a large number of training options offered at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Lansing MI area, you should have a prepared list of questions to assess each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become rather formidable. As we have already covered, cost and location are going to be important factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Lansing residence. And verifying that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at 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 ideal choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you decide on are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example 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 learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the training you receive will be of superior quality, it may help with your future employment as well. A number of Lansing MI medical organizations will only hire entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only available for schools that have earned an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical coding and billing program, find out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will primarily be relying on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, confirming that the college is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. Another option is to get in touch with some Lansing MI healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and find out which schools they suggest. Remember that even when the school itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Placement Program? Finding a job in Lansing MI after graduating in your new profession may be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the billing and coding school has a significant network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also implies that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are planning on driving to class from your Lansing MI home, then the location of the college will be of significant importance. Obviously if you select an online medical billing and coding 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 enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical billing and coding training programs can differ in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenditures also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the college's financial aid department to see what is offered in Lansing MI. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? A number of students continue working while attending school and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes during the evenings or on weekends near Lansing MI, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time basis, verify that the college you pick offers that alternative. Also, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Learn How to Select a Billing and Coding Course

Enroll in the Right Lansing MI Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Enrolling in the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a very important first step to help ensure your success in this exciting sector of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the fastest growing careers in the health industry. Because of this, there are numerous trade schools, junior colleges and companies that furnish training and instruction in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the school you pick has an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the healthcare community. But however you decide to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better prepared to assess 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 Lansing Michigan.