How to Pick the Right Medical Billing and Coding Training Program near Memphis Tennessee

Once you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Memphis TN, it's important that you select the appropriate program to ensure that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing sectors in the Country, and a growing number of options are offered both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many future students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online schools and pick the least expensive one. But while location and cost are significant issues when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration 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 find out what you must know prior to making your decision. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Programs and Certification

It's imperative that you get your training from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not required in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of Tennessee programs simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The quickest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to attain a certificate, which typically takes about a year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for almost all colleges requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely offered. When your education has been completed, although not required in most states, you may desire to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their career. Just some 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).

Graduating from an accredited medical coding and billing course, in conjunction with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare industry.

Medical Coder Job Description

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Memphis TN medical practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies utilized. 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 such as nursing and physician 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 working knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding as well. Improperly coded claims may result in services not being covered, services being paid for at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Memphis TN hospitals and doctors many thousands of dollars in earnings annually, a good medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare team. They can work 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 nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Memphis TN medical organizations and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. Often the biller and coder are the same person within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two individual specialists. After the coder has carried out her or his task, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical biller can also do any of the following:

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

Medical billing clerks not only are employed by private practices, but also Memphis TN emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They can practice in every type of healthcare facility that depends on the revenues generated by billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Training

If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online school may be a great alternative. They can be especially appealing to students living in Memphis TN who plan on going to school while continuing to work or have additional commitments that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online programs are often less expensive than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's essential to confirm that any online course you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to confirm 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 disciplined enough to commit yourself to this type of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Colleges

Now that you have a general idea just what a medical coder and biller does, along with what education options are available, you need to begin the process of researching schools. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Memphis TN area, you must have a prepared list of questions in order to analyze each one. And when you include all of the online programs that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become rather daunting. As we have already covered, location and cost are going to be significant factors, especially if you have a modest budget and will be commuting to classes from your Memphis residence. And whether or not the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting process also. So let's review some of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are considering so that you can compare each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you decide on are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the training you get will be of the highest quality, it could help secure future employment as well. Many Memphis TN healthcare facilities will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial aid and student loans are often only available for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to choosing a medical billing and coding college, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other schools. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the college is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. Another option is to call several Memphis TN medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when the college itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Finding employment in Memphis TN after graduation in your new field might be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a significant network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the College's Location? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Memphis TN residence, then the location of the school will be of significant importance. Of course 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 remember is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first research those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical billing and coding certification programs can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce a portion of the expense, so don't forget to get in touch with the college's financial assistance department to find out what is offered in Memphis TN. Of course if you decide to attend an online college, a portion of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Match your Schedule? A number of students keep working while attending college and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Memphis TN, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify that the college you select offers that alternative. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Choose a Medical Coding School

Choose the Right Memphis TN Medical Billing and Coding School 

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 medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the most rapidly growing professions in the health industry. Because of this, there are a lot of vocational schools, community colleges and companies that provide training and instruction in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can choose to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the college you choose has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and choose the right medical billing and coding program. And with the proper training, you can achieve your career goal to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Memphis Tennessee.