How to Choose the Right Medical Billing Program near Memphis Tennessee

Now that you have decided to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Memphis TN, it's important that you find the appropriate school so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in the United States, and more and more options are offered both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where do you start? Many potential students begin by searching for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online courses and choose the least expensive one. But while location and cost are relevant factors when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration also. We will review a list of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are researching 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 and the training and certification options available.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Training and Certification

It's important that you receive your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. While it is not required in most cases to earn a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Tennessee colleges just require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The fastest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to earn a certificate, which typically takes about a year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for almost all schools requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely available. Once your training has been completed, although not required in most states, you might want to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective method for those new to the field to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated 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).

Completing an accredited medical billing and coding course, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the rapid growing medical care field.

Medical Coder Job Description

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Memphis TN private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to analyze 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 medical supplies or equipment used. There are various 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 rely on information from sources including physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accurate reporting, 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 paid for, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Memphis TN doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in revenue each year, a good medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing 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 generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Memphis TN healthcare organizations and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Often the coder and biller can be the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. When the coder has completed her or his duty, the biller utilizes the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk can also do any of the following:

• Check 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
• Act as an intermediary between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for correct claim settlement
• Generate and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for family practices, but also Memphis TN hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They can practice in any type of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online course may be a good option. They can be especially attractive to students living in Memphis TN who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have other responsibilities that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online schools are often less expensive than the conventional classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. That's why it's important to establish that any online college you choose is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online instruction you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Colleges

Now that you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what education options are available, you need to begin the process of comparing colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges and technical, trade and vocational schools within the Memphis TN area, you must have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be significant factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be traveling to classes from your Memphis home. And confirming that the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting process also. So let's take a look at some of the other questions that you should ask the schools you are considering so that you can analyze each one and make the best choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you choose are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the training you receive will be of superior quality, it may help secure future employment as well. Many Memphis TN healthcare organizations will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only available for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to choosing a medical coding and billing school, find out what its ranking and reputation are among other colleges. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, making sure that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school also. Another option is to check with several Memphis TN healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and ask which programs they suggest. Keep 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 an Employment Assistance Program? Finding a job in Memphis TN after graduating in your new profession can be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering 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 college has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also implies that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School's Location? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Memphis TN home, then the location of the program will be of prime importance. Naturally if you choose an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be a factor. One thing to keep 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 might want to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Cost? Medical billing and coding training programs can vary in cost depending on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenditures also include such items as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the college's financial aid department to see what is available in Memphis TN. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while going to school and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes during the evenings or on weekends near Memphis TN, make sure that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, confirm that the program you choose provides that alternative. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Enroll in a Medical Billing Course

Choose the Best Memphis TN Medical Billing and Coding School 

Choosing the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree program is a critical first step to help ensure your success in this rewarding specialty of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the most rapidly expanding occupations in the medical industry. Because of this, there are a lot of vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that furnish instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can elect to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also important that the school you pick has an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the right questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and select the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Memphis Tennessee.