How to Select the Right Medical Billing School near Seattle Washington

Now that you have decided to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Seattle WA, it's important that you select the right program to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the USA, and a growing number of options are offered both online and on campus to receive the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many future students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and select the cheapest one. But while cost and location are significant issues when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation need to 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 need to know prior to making your decision. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do.

Medical Coding Job Summary

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Seattle WA private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the treatment records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment 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 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 accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that influence coding also. Incorrectly coded claims may result in services not being covered, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Seattle WA doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in income every year, a proficient medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare team. They can work in any type of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Description

As important as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Seattle WA healthcare organizations and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the coder and biller are the same individual within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two individual specialists. When the coder has performed her or his duty, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical biller may also do any of the following:

• Check medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been denied
• Function as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only work for private practices, but also Seattle WA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They can work in every kind of medical facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Courses

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online program may be a good option. They can be particularly appealing to students living in Seattle WA who plan on attending school while continuing to work or have additional obligations that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online programs are frequently cheaper than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's essential to establish that any online school you choose is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to check that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this style of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Once you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what training options are available, you must begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there many training options offered at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Seattle WA area, you should have a prepared list of questions to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become somewhat formidable. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Seattle residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at a few of the other questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's essential that the school and program you decide on are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it could help secure future employment also. A number of Seattle WA healthcare organizations will only hire entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial assistance and student loans are often only obtainable for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to enrolling in a medical billing and coding school, find out what its reputation and ranking are among other colleges. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will primarily be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, verifying that the program 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. An alternative is to get in touch with several Seattle WA medical organizations that you may be interested in working for and find out which colleges they suggest. Remember that even when the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Finding a job in Seattle WA after graduating in your new profession can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. Check if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding school has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also implies that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are anticipating commuting to class from your Seattle WA residence, then the location of the school will be of prime 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 bear in mind is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, most charge a higher tuition for enrollees that reside outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Cost? Medical billing and coding training programs can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the length of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the college's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Seattle WA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes during the evenings or on weekends near Seattle WA, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, verify that the college you decide on provides that alternative. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Choose a Medical Billing Program

Enroll in the Right Seattle WA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Choosing the right medical billing and coding certificate or degree program is a critical first step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding field of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the most rapidly expanding jobs in the health sector. Because of this, there are numerous trade schools, junior colleges and companies that provide training and education in medical coding and billing. As we have discussed, you can opt to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also important that the school you select has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare industry. But however you elect to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better prepared to evaluate your options and pick the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Seattle Washington.