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Medical Coding and Billing Programs Online Harrisburg PA

How to Enroll In the Right Medical Billing and Coding College near Harrisburg Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Pennsylvania woman medical biller and coder entering dataOnce you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Harrisburg PA, it's important that you find the right school so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the Country, and more and 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 start 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 courses and select the least expensive one. But while cost and location are important factors when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. We will go over a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are assessing so that you can learn what you need to know before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the training and certification options available.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Education and Certification

cash with stethoscope Harrisburg PennsylvaniaIt's important that you receive your education from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Pennsylvania schools simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The quickest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which typically takes about one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more comprehensive education, which for almost all colleges requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely offered. After your training has been completed, although not required in most states, you might want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an effective method for those new to the profession 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, together with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the fast growing healthcare field.

Medical Coder Job Description

Harrisburg Pennsylvania patient medical history

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Harrisburg PA private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to review the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for medical, diagnosis 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 use information from sources such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab 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 rules that impact coding as well. Incorrectly coded claims can lead to services not being covered, services being paid for at a decreased rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Harrisburg PA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Duties

Harrisburg Pennsylvania medical insurance forms

As essential as the medical coder's job is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Harrisburg PA healthcare facilities and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Sometimes the coder and biller may be the same person within a healthcare organization, but they can also be 2 individual professionals. After the coder has performed her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes furnished to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles and additional out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

  • Check medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
  • Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been denied
  • Function as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for proper claim settlement
  • Generate and manage Accounts Receivables reports
  • Create and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only work for private practices, but also Harrisburg PA emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They may practice in every kind of healthcare facility that relies on the revenues generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Schools

Harrisburg Pennsylvania woman attending medical billing and coding online trainingIf you are searching for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online college may be a good option. They can be especially appealing to individuals living in Harrisburg PA who plan on attending school while continuing to work or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online colleges are in many cases less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. That's why it's imperative to confirm that any online program you enroll in is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to verify that any online instruction 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 certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Now that you have a general idea just what a medical biller and coder does, as well as what education options are offered, you must start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Harrisburg PA area, you must have a ready list of questions in order to assess 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, expense and location are going to be relevant factors, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Harrisburg home. And confirming that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's take a look at several of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can analyze each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's vital that the school and program you choose are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you receive will be of the highest quality, it might help secure future employment as well. Many Harrisburg PA healthcare 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 obtainable for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical coding and billing college, check out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other colleges. This is particularly imperative if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have covered, making sure that the program is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. Another option is to contact some Harrisburg PA healthcare organizations that you may be interested in working for and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be well regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding employment in Harrisburg PA after graduation in your new field may be difficult without the support of a job placement program. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding school has a sizable network of healthcare employers where they can place 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 intending on commuting to class from your Harrisburg PA residence, then the location of the program will be of prime importance. Naturally if you enroll in an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the school will not be a factor. One thing to bear in mind is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that live outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical coding and billing training courses can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Costs also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to contact the college's financial aid department to find out what is available in Harrisburg PA. Of course if you decide to attend an online college, some 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 keep working while going to college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Harrisburg PA, make sure that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time schedule, confirm that the college you choose offers that alternative. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Get Info on How to Choose a Billing and Coding School

Select the Right Harrisburg PA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Selecting the ideal medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a critical first step to help assure your success in this rewarding sector of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest growing jobs in the medical sector. Because of this, there are a lot of vocational schools, community colleges and other institutions that provide training and instruction in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can opt to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the college you choose offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better prepared to evaluate your options and select the right medical billing and coding program. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career goal to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Harrisburg Pennsylvania.