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

Once you have made a decision to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Norfolk VA, it's crucial that you find the appropriate school so that you receive the necessary education to guarantee your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the USA, and a growing number of options are available both online and on campus to obtain the training that you need. But just where does one start? Many aspiring students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and select the least expensive one. But while cost and location are significant factors when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. We will cover a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are assessing in order to learn what you must know before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Norfolk VA medical practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to examine 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 multiple codes that are utilized 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 radiology and lab reports. Medical 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 impact coding as well. Inaccurately coded claims may lead to services not being covered, services being paid for at a lower 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 annually, a proficient medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to work at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Description

As essential 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 Norfolk VA medical organizations and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the coder and biller may be the same individual within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two independent professionals. When the coder has performed his or her duty, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or other out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical biller can also do any of the following:

• Verify health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Check on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been denied
• Work as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for proper claim resolution
• Produce and manage Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for family practices, but also Norfolk VA emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in every kind of medical facility that relies on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Colleges

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online school might be a great option. They can be particularly appealing to individuals living in Norfolk VA who anticipate attending school while still working or have additional responsibilities that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online programs are frequently cheaper than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's imperative to confirm that any online course you choose is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to establish that any online classes you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Schools

Now that you have a general idea what a medical biller and coder does, as well as what education options are available, you need to start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges and 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 project can become somewhat formidable. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be driving to classes from your Norfolk residence. And whether or not the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's review some of the other questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at so that you can evaluate each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you select are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it may help secure future employment also. Many Norfolk VA medical organizations will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding educational program. And financial assistance and student loans are often only available for schools that have received an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical billing and coding school, find out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other programs. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. An alternative is to check with a few Norfolk VA medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Obtaining a job in Norfolk VA after graduation in your new field might be difficult without the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance 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 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 School Located? If you are intending on driving to class from your Norfolk VA home, then the location of the school will be of significant importance. Obviously if you enroll in an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be important. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical billing and coding certification courses 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. Expenditures also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Norfolk VA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, some of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Norfolk VA, verify that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, check that the school you choose offers that option. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.

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

Select the Best Norfolk VA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding certificate or degree course is a crucial initial step to help ensure your success in this exciting field of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the most rapidly expanding careers in the health sector. As a result, there are a lot of trade schools, junior colleges and other institutions that provide education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the college you pick has an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and select the right medical billing and coding program. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Norfolk Virginia.