How to Pick the Right Medical Billing and Coding Training Program near Altoona Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Altoona PA, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the Country, and increasingly more options are available both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many potential students begin by searching for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they might search the internet looking for online courses and pick the cheapest one. But while cost and location are significant factors when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover a list of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding courses you are researching so that you can learn what you need to know before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the academic and certification options available.
Medical Coding Job Summary
Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Altoona PA medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to examine the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services can be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment 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 radiology and lab reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accurate reporting, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government rules that impact coding as well. Improperly coded claims may lead to services not being paid for, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Altoona PA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in income annually, a good medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare team. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.
Medical Biller Job Duties
As essential as the medical coder's job is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Altoona PA medical organizations and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Often the coder and biller can be the same man or woman within a medical organization, but they can also be two separate specialists. When the coder has carried out her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes provided to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk might also do any of the following:
- Confirm health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
- Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been denied
- Function as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim settlement
- Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
- Produce and manage unpaid patient collections accounts
Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Altoona PA emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They may work in any kind of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated by billing third party payers and patients.
Medical Coding and Billing Online Instruction and Certification
It's essential that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in many cases to attain a professional certification, the school you select 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 becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to attain a certificate, which usually takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more comprehensive education, which for the majority of schools requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not abundantly available. When your education has been completed, although not required in most states, you may desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great means for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their career. A few 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, combined with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the fast growing healthcare field.
Online Medical Biller and Coder Classes
If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding college may be a great option. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Altoona PA who anticipate attending school while still working or have other obligations that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online programs are frequently cheaper than the traditional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's important to establish that the online program you choose is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will review the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to check that any online instruction you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs
Once you have a general idea what a medical biller and coder does, along with what training options are available, you must begin the process of comparing colleges. But since there many training options offered at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Altoona PA area, you need to have a prepared list of questions to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become rather formidable. As we have already discussed, expense and location are going to be relevant factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Altoona home. And verifying that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's review some of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing 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 organization, such as 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 guarantee that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it could help with your future employment also. Many Altoona PA medical facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training course. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only offered for colleges that have obtained an accreditation.
What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to enrolling in a medical coding and billing college, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other programs. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your training. As we have addressed, confirming that the program is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. Another option is to get in touch with several Altoona PA healthcare organizations that you might be interested in working for and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding employment in Altoona PA after graduation in your new field might be difficult without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a significant network of healthcare employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.
Where is the School's Location? If you are anticipating commuting to class from your Altoona PA residence, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Of course if you enroll in an medical billing and coding online program, then the location of the college will not be important. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for enrollees that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges 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 provided. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset a portion of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial assistance department to see what is available in Altoona PA. Of course if you decide to attend an online college, a portion of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.
Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Many students continue working while going to school and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Altoona PA, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time schedule, make sure that the school you decide on offers that option. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More on How to Select a Billing and Coding Class
Enroll in the Best Altoona PA Medical Billing and Coding Program
Choosing the ideal medical billing and coding degree or certificate program is a crucial initial 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 industry. As a result, there are many vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that provide instruction and training in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can elect to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also imperative that the school you select offers an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare field. But however you decide to receive your training, by following 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 program. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical billing and coding clerk in Altoona Pennsylvania.