Category Archives: District of Columbia

Medical Billing and Coding Online Courses – Washington DC 20001

How to Pick a Medical Billing and Coding Online Course in Washington 20001

Washington DC woman attending medical billing and coding school onlineNow that you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare field by learning to be a medical billing and coding specialist in Washington DC, it’s essential that you choose the right school to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the Country, and increasingly more options are available both online and on campus to receive the training that you need. But just where do you start? A number of aspiring students begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online courses and choose the cheapest one. But while cost and location are relevant factors when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will review a checklist of topics that you need to ask the schools you are assessing in order to learn what you must know prior to making your selection. But first, let’s take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the educational and certification options available.

Medical Coder Job Functions

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Washington DC private practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment used. There are multiple codes that are used in the conversion, including:

  • CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology).
  • ICD codes (International Classification of Diseases).
  • HCPCS codes (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding).

Medical coders depend on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer rules that influence coding as well. Improperly coded claims may lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a reduced rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Washington DC physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in income every year, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Description

Washington DC medical billers collect revenueAs essential as the medical coder’s job is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Washington DC medical facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the coder and biller can be the same individual within a healthcare organization, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. After the coder has performed his or her duty, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

  • Verify health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
  • Check on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been declined
  • Function as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim resolution
  • Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
  • Generate and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only work for family practices, but also Washington DC emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They can practice in every type of healthcare facility that relies on the revenues generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Coding and Billing Online Programs and Certification

Washington DC patients are billed for medical treatmentIt’s essential that you obtain your instruction from a reputable school, whether it’s a trade school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not a requirement in many cases to attain a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of colleges only require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to attain a certificate, which generally takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive 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 may wish to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an effective way for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. 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, in conjunction with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the fast growing medical care industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Colleges

medical coder working online in Washington DCIf you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then enrolling in an medical billing and coding online college may be a great alternative. They can be particularly appealing to individuals in Washington DC who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online schools are frequently cheaper than the conventional classroom alternatives. Costs for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. That’s why it’s important to confirm that any online school you select is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Online Medical Biller and Coder Courses

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 researching colleges. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges and vocational, technical and trade schools online and within the Washington DC area, you need to have a prepared list of questions in order to analyze each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical coding and billing classes, the project can become rather daunting. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be important issues, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be driving to classes from your Washington home. And verifying that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let’s take a look at some 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 Online Program Accredited? It’s essential that the program and college you decide on are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it’s an online program, 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 get will be of superior quality, it could help secure future employment in Washington DC also. A number of Washington healthcare organizations will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial aid and student loans are frequently only obtainable for colleges that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Online Program’s Reputation? Prior to choosing a medical billing and coding college, check out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will primarily be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, verifying that the college 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 check with several Washington DC medical organizations that you may have an interest in working for and find out which programs they suggest. Bear in mind that even if the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Obtaining employment after graduation in your new field may be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs in the Washington DC area and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing college has a significant network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the college’s graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School’s Location ? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Washington DC home, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Of course if you select an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be a factor. One thing to keep in mind is that if you attend classes at a community or junior college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first research those schools 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 furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also consist of such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce a portion of the expense, so don’t forget to check with the school’s financial assistance department to find out what is offered in 20001. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Washington DC, verify 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, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Online Billing and Coding Classes in Washington District of Columbia?

If you live in the greater Washington DC area and will be attending Online Medical Billing and Coding Classes from home, the following information may be both interesting and informative about your local stomping grounds.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington or D.C., is the capital of the United States of America.[4] Founded after the American Revolution as the seat of government of the newly independent country, Washington was named after George Washington, first President of the United States and Founding Father.[5] Washington is the principal city of the Washington metropolitan area, which has a population of 6,131,977.[6] Washington has been described as an important political capital, owing to its status as the seat of the United States federal government.[7] Washington is one of the most visited cities in the world, with more than 20 million annual tourists.[8][9]

The signing of the Residence Act on July 16, 1790, approved the creation of a capital district located along the Potomac River on the country's East Coast. The U.S. Constitution provided for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress and the District is therefore not a part of any state. The states of Maryland and Virginia each donated land to form the federal district, which included the pre-existing settlements of Georgetown and Alexandria. Named in honor of President George Washington, the City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the new national capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land originally ceded by Virginia; in 1871, it created a single municipal government for the remaining portion of the District.

Washington had an estimated population of 693,972 as of July 2017. Commuters from the surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs raise the city's daytime population to more than one million during the workweek. The Washington metropolitan area, of which the District is the principal city, has a population of over 6 million, the sixth-largest metropolitan statistical area in the country.

Pick the Ideal Online Medical Coding and Billing College Washington DC

Selecting the right medical coding and billing online certificate or degree program is a crucial initial step to help assure your success in this rewarding specialty of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the most rapidly growing occupations in the medical sector. Because of this, there are a lot of trade schools, junior colleges and companies that offer 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 select offers an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the healthcare field. But however you choose to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better able to analyze your options and pick the right online medical billing and coding course. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Washington DC.

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