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How to Find the Best Medical Billing and Coding Online Course Phoenix Arizona

Phoenix Arizona Female Medical Billing and Coding clerk working at her deskNow that you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare field by training to be a medical billing and coding clerk in Phoenix AZ, it's important that you choose the right school to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you may already know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Country, and a growing number of options are available both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one start? A number of future students begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online schools and pick the least expensive one. But while location and cost are significant issues when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. So let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the academic and certification options offered.

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Medical Coder Job Functions

Phoenix Arizona medical records

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Phoenix AZ private practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to review 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 equipment or medical supplies 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 use information from sources including physician and nursing 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 rules that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims can lead to services not being paid for, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Phoenix AZ doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in income every year, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare team. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to work at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Duties

Phoenix Arizona patient medical insurance claim forms

As crucial as the medical coder's job is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Phoenix AZ medical organizations and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. Sometimes the coder and biller can be the same man or woman within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two individual professionals. Once the coder has carried out her or his duty, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:

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

Medical billing clerks not only work for family practices, but also Phoenix AZ emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They can work in any type of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated by billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Billing and Coding Programs 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. Although it is not required in most cases to attain a professional certification, the school you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most programs just require that you have 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 generally takes about 1 year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for most programs calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not widely available. When your training has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you may want to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective method for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their career. Some 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).

Completing an accredited medical coding and billing program, combined with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the fast growing Arizona healthcare industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Classes

Phoenix Arizona Young Woman Taking Online Medical Billing and Coding classesIf you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding college may be a great option. They can be particularly appealing to those in Phoenix AZ who anticipate attending school while still working or have additional obligations that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online schools are frequently less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's essential to establish that any online program you select is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to verify that any online classes you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this style of learning, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

More on How to Become a Medical Coding Specialist in Phoenix

Pick the Best Phoenix Online Medical Billing and Coding Training

Choosing the right medical coding and billing online degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to help assure your success in this rewarding field of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the most rapidly expanding occupations in the health sector. Because of this, there are many vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that provide education and training in medical coding and billing. As we have covered, you can choose to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the school you select offers an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the medical care field. With the proper training, you can achieve your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Phoenix Arizona.


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