How to Find the Right Medical Billing Training Program near Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Philadelphia PA, it's essential that you choose the appropriate program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the Country, and more and more options are offered both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where do you start? A number of potential students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online schools and select the least expensive one. But while location and cost are significant factors when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will review a list of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding courses you are assessing in order to learn what you must know prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Coder Job Functions

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 multiple 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 use information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that influence coding as well. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being paid for, 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 Philadelphia PA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in revenue each year, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not uncommon for professional medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Functions

As important as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Philadelphia PA medical facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Often the biller and coder 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 his or her task, the biller utilizes the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim settlement
• Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Biller and Coder Online Instruction and Certification

It's imperative that you receive your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Although it is not a requirement in most cases to attain a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of Pennsylvania programs just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The fastest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more expansive education, which for almost all colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly available. After your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you may desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an excellent method for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. A few of the organizations that offer 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 course, together with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the fast growing medical care field.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online course may be a great alternative. They can be particularly appealing to those living in Philadelphia PA who plan on attending school while still working or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an additional benefit, online programs are frequently less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's essential to verify that the online program you enroll in is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to verify that any online classes you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Schools

Once you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what training options are available, you must begin the process of comparing schools. But since there a large number of training options offered at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Philadelphia PA area, you should have a ready list of questions to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become somewhat formidable. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be relevant issues, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be driving to classes from your Philadelphia home. And whether or not 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 additional questions that you should ask the programs you are considering so that you can compare each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's important that the school and program you decide on are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, 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 distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it might help with your future employment as well. A number of Philadelphia PA healthcare organizations will only hire entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding educational program. And financial aid and student loans are often only available for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical billing and coding college, check out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other schools. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will basically be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, verifying that the college 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. Another option is to get in touch with several Philadelphia PA healthcare organizations that you might be interested in working for and find out which colleges they recommend. Keep in mind that even when the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Finding employment in Philadelphia PA after graduation in your new field might be difficult without the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding school has a sizable network of healthcare employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates 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 Philadelphia PA residence, then the location of the campus will be of significant importance. Of course if you select 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 attend classes at a junior or community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Cost? Medical billing and coding certification programs can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Costs also include such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the college's financial assistance department to find out what is offered in Philadelphia PA. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Many students continue working while attending college and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes during the evenings or on weekends near Philadelphia PA, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that alternative. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Choose a Medical Coding Course

Choose the Best Philadelphia PA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Selecting the right medical billing and coding degree or certificate program is a critical first step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding field of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the most rapidly expanding occupations in the medical industry. As a result, there are a lot of vocational schools, community colleges and other institutions that offer training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can opt to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also imperative that the college you select has an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the healthcare field. But however you choose to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to evaluate your options and choose the ideal medical billing and coding program. And with the proper training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.