How to Select the Best Medical Billing and Coding College near Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Now that you have made a decision to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Philadelphia PA, it's essential that you select the appropriate program to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in the Country, and increasingly more options are offered both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many potential students start by looking for programs that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online classes and pick the cheapest one. But while cost and location are relevant issues when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. We will review a list of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are assessing so that you can learn what you need to know before making your decision. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do.

Medical Coding Job Summary

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Philadelphia PA private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to analyze 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 several 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 depend on 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 accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Philadelphia PA hospitals and doctors many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to work at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Description

As vital as the medical coder's role is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Philadelphia PA medical facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the coder and biller are the same person within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two independent specialists. Once the coder has carried out her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles or other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
• Function as an intermediary between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Produce and manage Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Philadelphia PA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They may practice in any kind of medical facility that relies on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online course might be a great option. They can be particularly attractive to individuals living in Philadelphia PA who plan on going to school while still working or have additional responsibilities that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online programs are in many cases less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such things as tuition, course materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's essential to verify that the online college you choose is accredited to guarantee a superior education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to verify that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance 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 Biller and Coder Courses

Now that you have a general idea what a medical biller and coder does, in addition to what education options are offered, you need to start the process of comparing colleges. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges as well as trade, vocational and technical schools within the Philadelphia PA area, you should have a ready list of questions in order to assess each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical coding and billing classes, the project can become rather daunting. As we have already discussed, expense and location are going to be important factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be traveling to classes from your Philadelphia residence. And verifying that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's take a look at a few of the other questions that you should ask the schools you are reviewing so that you can evaluate each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's important that the school and program you choose are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it might also earn 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 superior quality, it could help secure future employment as well. Many Philadelphia PA healthcare facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only offered for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical coding and billing school, check out what its ranking and reputation are among other colleges. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will primarily be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the program 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 as well. An alternative is to get in touch with several Philadelphia PA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there a Job Referral Program? Finding employment in Philadelphia PA after graduating in your new profession can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. Check if the colleges you are reviewing 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 sizable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the College's Location? If you are anticipating commuting to class from your Philadelphia PA home, then the location of the school will be of prime importance. Of course if you choose an online medical billing and coding program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to remember is that if you attend classes at a community or junior college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first look at those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing certification programs can differ in cost depending on the type of credential earned and the length of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance might be available to help offset a portion of the cost, so make sure to get in touch with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Philadelphia PA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Match your Schedule? Many students continue working while attending school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Philadelphia PA, make sure that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time basis, verify that the college you pick provides that option. Also, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family responsibilities.

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

Choose the Best Philadelphia PA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Picking the right medical billing and coding degree or certificate course is a crucial first step to help assure your success in this exciting field of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the fastest expanding occupations in the health industry. Because of this, there are many vocational schools, community colleges and companies that offer 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 essential that the college you pick offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care community. But however you decide to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and choose the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.