How to Enroll In the Right Medical Biller and Coder Program near Norfolk Virginia

Once you have decided to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Norfolk VA, it's essential that you select the appropriate program to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the United States, and a growing number of options are available both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many future students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they may surf the internet looking for online schools and select the cheapest one. But while location and cost are relevant factors when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will review a checklist of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding courses you are researching so that you can learn what you must know before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the academic and certification options offered.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Norfolk VA private practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to examine the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can 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 use information from sources including physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accurate reporting, but must have a functioning knowledge of all government and private payer rules that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims may result in services not being paid for, services being paid for at a reduced rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Norfolk VA physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in income every year, a good medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare organization. They can work in any type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Functions

As important as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Norfolk VA medical organizations and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Often the biller and coder are the same man or woman within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two independent specialists. After the coder has completed her or his job, the biller uses the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been paid by the applicable entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance coverages 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 a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Create and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Biller and Coder Online Programs and Certification

It's essential that you get your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Even though it is not required in many cases to attain a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of Virginia programs simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The quickest way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to earn a certificate, which generally takes about 1 year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for the majority of schools requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely offered. Once your education has been concluded, although not required in most states, you might desire to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. A few of the organizations that make available 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, together with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing healthcare field.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding course may be an excellent alternative. They can be especially appealing to students living in Norfolk VA who plan on attending school while continuing to work or have other obligations that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online colleges are often less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's important to confirm that any online college you choose is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to confirm that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined 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 Biller and Coder Schools

Once you have a better idea what a medical biller and coder does, as well as what training options are offered, you need to start the process of comparing schools. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Norfolk VA area, you need to have a ready list of questions to assess each one. And when you add all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become somewhat formidable. As we have already discussed, cost and location are going to be important factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be driving to classes from your Norfolk residence. And confirming that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's take a look at some of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering so that you can analyze each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the program and college you select are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it may help secure future employment also. A number of Norfolk VA medical organizations will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training program. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only obtainable for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical billing and coding college, check out what its reputation and ranking are among other programs. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, verifying that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. Another option is to contact several Norfolk VA medical organizations that you may have an interest in working for and ask which programs they suggest. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job in Norfolk VA after graduation in your new field may be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing college has a significant network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the College's Location? If you are intending on driving to class from your Norfolk VA residence, then the location of the college will be of significant importance. Of course if you enroll in an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, most charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Cost? Medical billing and coding certification programs can fluctuate in cost depending on the type of credential earned and the length of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset a portion of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Norfolk VA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Match your Schedule? Many students keep working while going to school and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Norfolk VA, make sure that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Find Out More on How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Course

Enroll in the Right Norfolk VA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding degree or certificate course is a critical initial step to help guarantee your success in this exciting specialty of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest growing occupations in the medical industry. As a result, there are many trade schools, junior colleges and companies that provide training and instruction 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 choose has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare industry. But however you decide to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to evaluate your options and choose the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper education, you can realize your career goal to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Norfolk Virginia.