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How to Enroll In the Right Medical Biller and Coder Online Program Juneau Alaska

Juneau Alaska Medical Billing and Coding clerk working at her deskOnce you have decided to enter the healthcare field by learning to be a medical billing and coding clerk in Juneau AK, it's essential that you find the right school so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States, 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 aspiring students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online courses and pick the cheapest one. But while cost and location are important issues when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. So let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the educational and certification options offered.

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Medical Coder Job Functions

Juneau Alaska health records

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Juneau AK medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to examine the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies utilized. 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 rely on information from sources such as physician and nursing 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 affect coding as well. Inaccurately coded claims can lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Juneau AK hospitals and doctors many thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Duties

Juneau Alaska patient medical insurance forms

As important as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Juneau AK healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the biller and coder can be the same person within a medical organization, but they can also be two independent professionals. After the coder has completed her or his task, 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 organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:

  • Confirm health insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
  • Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been denied
  • Work as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
  • Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
  • Generate and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Juneau AK emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They may work in every kind of healthcare facility that relies on the revenues generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Coder and Biller Education and Certification

It's imperative that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not required in most cases to earn a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most programs just require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The fastest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which usually takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for almost all programs requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly available. When your education has been completed, although not required in most states, you may desire to attain 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 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).

Completing an accredited medical billing and coding program, in conjunction with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the rapid growing Alaska healthcare field.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Courses

Juneau Alaska Female Enrolled in Online Medical Billing and Coding coursesIf you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then selecting an online medical billing and coding school might be an excellent alternative. They can be particularly attractive to individuals in Juneau AK who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online schools are often less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. For that reason it's imperative to verify that any online course you choose is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to establish that any online college 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 devote yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

More on How to Become a Medical Coder or Biller in Juneau

Pick the Best Juneau Online Medical Billing and Coding School

Selecting the ideal medical billing and coding online degree or certificate course is a very important initial step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding specialty of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest growing jobs in the medical sector. As a result, there are a lot of vocational schools, community colleges and companies that offer training and education in medical coding and billing. As we have covered, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the college you pick has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care field. With the proper training, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical billing and coding clerk in Juneau Alaska.


Juneau Online Medical Billing And Coding Training | Juneau Online Medical Billing And Coding Courses