Home >> Pennsylvania >> Allentown >> Medical Billing And Coding Training


Medical Billing and Coding Online Programs Allentown PA

How to Find the Right Medical Biller and Coder Training Program near Allentown Pennsylvania

Allentown Pennsylvania woman medical coder at her computerNow that you have made a decision to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Allentown PA, it's crucial that you choose the right school to ensure that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, and increasingly more options are available both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where do you begin? A number of aspiring students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online classes and select the cheapest one. But while cost and location are significant issues when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation should be considered also. We will review a checklist of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating in order to learn 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 and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coding Job Description

Allentown Pennsylvania patient health history

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Allentown PA medical practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to examine the treatment 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 utilized. There are several 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 including physician and nursing 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 functioning knowledge of all government and private payer rules that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being covered, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Allentown PA hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset for any healthcare team. They can operate in any type of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Functions

Allentown Pennsylvania medical insurance forms

As essential as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Allentown PA healthcare organizations and are practically responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the coder and biller can be the same individual within a medical facility, but they can also be two separate specialists. Once the coder has performed her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical biller may also do any of the following:

  • Verify health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
  • Check on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been denied
  • Act as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for correct claim settlement
  • Generate and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
  • Generate and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for family practices, but also Allentown PA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They may work in every type of medical facility that relies on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Education and Certification

money with stethoscope Allentown PennsylvaniaIt's imperative that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in most cases to attain a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Pennsylvania programs simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which usually takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for the majority of schools requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. After your education has been completed, although not required in most states, you might want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an excellent means for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. Some of the organizations that provide 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, combined with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Training

Allentown Pennsylvania student enrolled in medical biller and coder online coursesIf you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online school might be a great option. They can be especially attractive to those living in Allentown PA who plan on going to school while continuing to work or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online colleges are in many cases less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's essential to confirm that any online college you enroll in is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online college 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 dedicated enough to commit yourself to this mode of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Training Programs

Once you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, along with what education options are offered, you must begin the process of researching colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Allentown PA area, you need to have a ready list of questions to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already covered, cost and location are going to be important factors, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Allentown residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's take a look at a few of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's important that the program and school you decide on are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it might help with your future employment as well. Many Allentown PA healthcare organizations 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 offered for programs that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical coding and billing school, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other colleges. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mostly be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, verifying that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school also. Another option is to check with a few Allentown PA healthcare organizations that you might be interested in working for and ask which colleges they recommend. Bear in mind 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 a Job Assistance Program? Obtaining a job in Allentown PA after graduation in your new profession may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. Check if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing school has a considerable network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are intending on driving to class from your Allentown PA home, then the location of the college will be of prime importance. Obviously if you enroll in an medical billing and coding 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 community or junior college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that live outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first research those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing training courses can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential obtained and the length of training furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenditures also include such items 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 assistance department to find out what is offered in Allentown PA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Many students continue working while attending school and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Allentown PA, verify that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time schedule, check that the school you decide on offers that alternative. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Class

Select the Right Allentown PA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding certificate or degree program is a critical first step to help assure your success in this rewarding specialty of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest growing careers in the medical sector. As a result, there are many vocational schools, community colleges and companies that provide training and instruction in medical billing and coding. As we have reviewed, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the college you pick offers an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care field. But however you elect to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better prepared to analyze your options and choose the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your career goal to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Allentown Pennsylvania.