Training in Medical Billing

Online medical billing courses prepare you for a specialized medical assistant career. You'll learn billing, medical bookkeeping, and insurance. To succeed, you'll need good writing and interviewing skills, and you'll need to know medical terms and coding.

What You'll Learn in Medical Billing Courses

Online medical billing courses give you flexibility and options. If you're in a hurry to get into the field, go for a one-year certificate. You'll study medical, diagnostic, procedural terms, and medical coding, too. You'll also learn basic insurance and medical law. If you hope to move up or have more flexibility in your medical assistant career, you might pursue a two-year Associate of Science Degree in Medical Billing or Medical Insurance Billing and Coding. You'll practice interviewing and documenting cases. You'll get a medical ethics and core health science education, too.

Your Medical Billing Career

Contract billing companies with sophisticated billing equipment now do the bulk of medical billing, so you're as apt to work for one of them as for a hospital or doctor's office. However, some medical billing specialists prefer to freelance. Though no degree insures employment, as a medical billing specialist with some experience, you might make $10-$15 an hour. You'll be bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as you have access to confidential patient records. You'll keep up-to-date with your profession if you join the American Health Information Management Association.

MEDICAL BILLING HOME-STUDY COURSE

MEDICAL BILLING HOME-STUDY COURSE is a comprehensive program for those interested in a career in Medical Billing. This at-your-own pace course covers every aspect imaginable!

The course includes easy-to-understand chapters, each with a study guide, an exam (student's choice of online or printed) and questionnaire. Chapters are in .pdf format for printing and inserting into a binder (makes great reference material). Also included are forms and software for actual hands-on exercises.

Throughout the course, personal support is provided by the developer and Medical Billing Course staff via the private student forum. I perused the forum...the interaction there is fantastic! Not only is help available from staff, but also from fellow students - which is another plus in my book!

Various payment options and add-on chapters are offered, making this course even more appealing for hard working VA's like myself!


http://www.medicalbillingcourse.com/testimonials.html

Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding - Course Objectives

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding program, students will:

• Be proficient in skills such as medical terminology, communication, telephone techniques, organization and time management.
• Have knowledge of Medical Practice Settings and Specialties, as well as the differences in Traditional and Managed Care. Students also learn about Commercial, HMO/PPO, Federal and State insurance plans, including eligibility and coverage, as well as reimbursement methodologies.
• Have knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities of an administrative medical specialist, including the HIPAA mandates, the rules for maintaining privacy of medical records and protected health information, and the types of consents and disclosures that are required in a medical office environment.
• Be able to perform tasks associated with the entire Accounts Receivable and Revenue cycle, including scheduling and registration of patients; posting of accounting transactions; completion of insurance claim forms, and collections.
• Be able to perform the day-to-day tasks associated with medical coding, medical billing and completing insurance forms.
• Be able to effectively input patient information, run office reports, and process insurance claims using medical software.
• Be prepared to take an Advanced Coding course to prepare for more advanced national certifications.

Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding

The Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding will give you the skills you need to find the job YOU are looking for as an Administrative Medical Specialist (AMS), Medical Billing Specialist, and/or Medical Coder. In addition to the extensive Medical Billing information, you will be taught every aspect of the Medical Receptionist/Front Desk position.

This program also provides preparation for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) national certification exam. Upon successful completion of the Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position doing medical billing or coding in a medical office setting and will be prepared to sit for the CCA national certification exam.

Course Overview/Description

The medical industry is experiencing a tremendous demand for individuals with knowledge of medical office operations, which includes billing and coding, processing insurance forms, and using medical software. According to the American Medical Association, there are more than 1.2 million Medical Specialists in the United States. This profession is listed as one of the fastest growing professions in allied health. The Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding will give you the skills you need to find the job YOU are looking for as an Administrative Medical Specialist (AMS), Medical Billing Specialist, and/or Medical Coder. In addition to the extensive Medical Billing information, you will be taught every aspect of the Medical Receptionist/Front Desk position. This includes scheduling appointments, industry- specific techniques for filing, proper protocol for patient interaction, and hands-on training with a Practice Management system used in many doctor’s offices around the country. This program also provides preparation for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) national certification exam. Upon successful completion of the Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position doing medical billing or coding in a medical office setting and will be prepared to sit for the CCA national certification exam.

Some typical tasks for the AMS include:

1. Receiving, making and documenting telephone calls.
2. Scheduling appointments and registering of patient information.
3. Performing insurance verification, pre-authorization and referral tasks.
4. Preparing patient charts and maintaining medical records.
5. Preparing and posting transactions on day sheets, charge tickets and patient accounts.
6. Coding and billing insurance claims.
7. Collecting patient payments and performing collection activities.

The career of an administrative medical specialist is a challenging one with new opportunities arising continuously. Job security is high for an individual who understands claims processing and billing regulations, possesses sharp coding skills, and is successful in appealing under-paid or denied insurance claims. Recent surveys of medical office personnel Help Wanted advertisements indicate the need for individuals with these skills. With this online AMS program, students will learn the job skills they need to be successful candidates in the workforce.

Please Note: This course prepares you for the CCA certification. You must also meet the Professional Association's Eligibility Requirements for the examination. The American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) eligibility requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.

http://www.gatlineducation.com/medicalspecialist_overview.html

Medical Billing Software

Quickly becoming the most popular system of its kind, the DAQbilling Medical Billing Software provides the medical practice and billing office with comprehensive financial management capabilities at a price that is affordable -- even for new and small practices. DAQbilling Medical Billing Software is the electronic medical billing and physician practice management software of choice used for scheduling, charge entry, and detailed reporting. DAQbilling Medical Billing Software's cutting edge technology automates important medical billing and administrative functions. Designed with usability in mind, its comprehensive components work synchronized and seamlessly together while enhancing practice efficiency and profitability.

DAQbilling Medical Billing Software's features, pricing structure, and technical support definitely makes it the best Practice Management System for Productivity in the Medical Billing Office.Medical billing office programA well designed and organized interface, most people call it the program's control panel (or "the screen") saves time and effort the user must expend to provide input for the program and to interpret the output, which makes the process effective, efficient, and satisfying. Medical practice management tasks are accomplished in the shortest time by the push of a button.

You will:

• Experience the looks and feel of DAQbilling Medical Billing Software's interface
• Navigation through the many features, such as the scheduler, encounters, and claim control
• See layout of patient histories, accounts, billing, and payment reports
• Review Superbills and scheduling options
• Experience onscreen error alerts and omission prompts
• Review check and balance system for front and back office staff
• Navigate electronic claims submission program
• Print monthly financial analysis and summaries
• Scan referral letters, patient insurance cards, and other info
• View system configuaration options, such as user defined security settings

What is Medical Coding

A recent American Hospital Association survey showed that about 18% of billing and coding positions remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates! The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical billing and coding is one of the ten fastest growing allied health occupations. Their specialized training and skills lets them easily find work any place, any time.

Codes exist for all types of encounters, services, tests, treatments, and procedures provided by a healthcare provider in a medical office, hospital, or clinic. These codes are described as CPT4 codes that consist of 5 digit numbers. Even the simplest patient complaints such as headache, or nausea have codes which consist of a set of numbers and combinations of sets of numbers.

Art of Medical Coding

Medical coders are fundamental to medical record keeping. Every healthcare provider that delivers a service receives money for these services by filing a claim with the patient's health insurance provider or managed care organization.

Medical Coding Purposes

The American Medical Association (AMS) developed the CPT coding system. CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology to tell the health insurance companies or government entities the reason why a patient was seen and what services were performed so that the provider can get paid. Codes also are implemented to gather and communicate public health statistics

Medical codes are used for a variety of purposes. Among them:

• coding diseases and procedures
• physician billing and reimbursement
• recording causes of death

The Encounter

When a provider sees and treats a person seeking medical advice in the medical office or practice it is referred to as an encounter. An encounter is defined as "a face-to-face contact between a healthcare professional and an eligible beneficiary."

The Medical Coder's Areas of Knowledge and Responsibility

KNOWLEDGE OF INSURANCE CLAIM AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS. New patient interview and check-in procedures; established patient return visits; post-clinical check-out; computerized practice procedure methods.

COMPLETING CMS-1500 AND COMMERCIAL CLAIMS. Billing guidelines for inpatient medical, in/outpatient global surgery, minor surgery, and maintenance of a provider's claim files; setting up a filing system for completed claims; determining primary and secondary status; completing common types of claims.

KNOWLEDGE OF BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD PLANS. Features of BCBS plans; correct filing procedure; completing a BCBS claim form.

KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICARE. Parts of the Medicare program; eligibility criteria; fee schedule; supplemental plans and managed care; filling out an HCFA 1500 claim form.

KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAID. Services covered under the federal portion of Medicaid; eligibility; services provided and paid for by state coverage; obtaining preauthorization for services.

TRICARE AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Health care for the military; deductibles, cost sharing and eligibility requirements for TRICARE; filing TRICARE claim forms; workers' compensation programs; classifying on-the-job injuries; preparing a First Report of Injury form; qualifying for workers¹ compensation benefits.

ICD-9-CM CODING. Using the ICD-9-CM coding system; primary vs. principal diagnosis; ICD-9-CM terms, marks, abbreviations and symbols; index tables.

CPT CODING. Basic format of CPT service and procedure codes on the CMS-1500 claim; comparing CPT with ICD-9-CM coding; modifiers; new vs. established patient; assigning emergency department and critical care codes; consultation vs. confirmatory visit; preventive medicine visits.

HCPCS CODING AND CMS REIMBURSEMENT. The HCPCS system for reporting professional services, procedures, supplies and equipment; HCPCS level II coding system; CMS reimbursement; rules of the Medicare physician fee schedule payment system.

CODING FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. Assessment and coding from patient medical records; securing the correct physician documentation; coding an operative report; selecting and coding diagnoses and procedures from case studies and sample records.

Medical Coder's Job Security

Physicians depend on well trained, reliable medical coding and billing staff because otherwise they might not get paid for their services, or might wind up being charged large penalties due to improper coding, which could mean financial disaster, and cost them their livelihoods. Once hired, medical coders and billers hold secure jobs, with good futures. Supervisors spend weeks or months training medical billers and coders one-on-one. Once they are trained and have gained experience by participating in the daily office routine, chances are good that their positions will be long term.

http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.net/medcoding.htm

What is Medical Billing

Medical Biller's Importance

Medical billing is a complex procedure and the medical biller requires a fairly broad range of knowledge and qualities. When a practicing physician or licensed healthcare provider has an encounter with a patient, the provider wants to get paid for the services. But wait! Who makes sure the provider get's paid??? That would be the medical biller's job.

For Example:

Think about the large number of medical specialties, large number of medical conditions and diseases, large number of CPT codes, large number of Medicare rules, large number of health insurance companies (payers), and large number of patients!!! Wow... that's huge! If the patient has medical health insurance the medical biller will file a claim on his/her behalf.

If the practice administers 50 different procedures and works with 50 payers, then 1,000 monthly charges require selection from 2,500 unique fees defined by contractual agreements or “reasonable and customary pricing” (“allowed”) for every CPT-payer pair. The insurance carrier determines if benefits are payable. The medical biller's role in this process is to translate medical terminology, diseases, diagnoses into coded billing statements, enter patient information into databases, mailing patients’ billing statements, posting payments received, follow up on unpaid insurance claims, as well as appeals and denials, and report to their employers on the financial status of the practice.

The Art of Medical Billing

In a small family practice or suburban clinic this task may be simple and assigned to the medical assistant or secretary who works at the front desk, but in bigger (group-) practices and clinics this task is the medical biller's job! Medical billers reviews charge slips that list the services and procedures commonly performed by the healthcare provider and informs patients of any charges.

To get paid an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is used, which is an authorization directing the insurer to make payment directly to the provider of benefits, rather than to the insured. The insurance carrier however, is the one who determines whether benefits are payable. After a patient visit they review superbills or encounter forms to determine what services were rendered, review the patient's insurance coverage, explain physician's fees, estimate what charges will be covered by insurance, estimate how much patients might pay, and prepare accurate healthcare invoices and claims. They are the ones who organize medical bills and statements, comb through them for errors, negotiate with collection agencies, answer patient's questions about their health-care plans and the office's billing routine, and spend hours on the phone with insurance companies on a client's behalf.

A Highly Skilled and Knowledgeable Expert

Medical billers use the HCFA-1500 form, the universal billing form to submit health insurance claims to insurance carriers. They must know appropriate responses to a variety of billing and legal situations. Bill collection, release of patient information/records, patient confidentiality rights, subpoenas, workers’ compensation rules, and Medicare regulations for reimbursement are complicated areas and must be handled competently and with care.

Medical Biller's Books and Software Programs

Medical billers accomplish their tasks using reference books, printed guides and references, automated office equipment, and computers with various sophisticated types of software. Software is used to file claims electronically, apply all patient and EOB payments, print statements, update management reports and all patient data files. Medical billers usually possess state-of-the-art word processing and accounting skills, are proficient in bookkeeping, and type at a speed of at least 45 words-per-minute.

http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.net/medbilling.htm

Medical Billing

Medical Billing has become the crucial part of revenue management for the medical service provider and hospitals. Millions of dollars are lost annually due to under pricing, coding errors, missed charges and un-reimbursed claims. Thuriams medical billing service enables to eliminate these loses and accurately process the medical billing. Our professional approach and vast expertise will assist in your practice by freeing you with the tedious tasks of billing and follow-up functions, thereby enabling you to concentrate more on medicine and the patients. Thuriams medical billing service incorporates latest technological and software developments and is very user friendly. Medical Billing service is customized to meet individual clients specific requirements.

Medical Billing Experts at Thuriam

At Thuriam our medical billers understand the basic and major medical coverage plans, such as the Fee-for-Service Plans, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Point-of-Service Plans (POS), and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and know the different methods of billing patients and understand the medical billing industry and all it's complexities.

Medical Billers at Thuriam are experts with the terminology most often used in a medical office, they have expertise to electronically file claims, and knowledge on the most common types of insurance policies. Medical Billing experts understand database management, spreadsheets , electronic mail, and possess state of the art wordprocessing and accounting skills, proficient in bookkeeping, and able to type at a speed of at least 45 words per minute.

Our Medical Billing experts will explain charges to the patients, and communicate effectively. Medical Billers also have a good working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, claims form completion, and coding. Our Medical billing specialists also process responses from the insurance companies which includes the - explanation of benefits (EOB).

Medical Billing Services

Data entry - we obtain information from the provider and/or practice and enter this information into our database.

File claims - most claims are filed electronically and only a few will
go on paper. This is dependant upon the insurance carrier the claims are going to.

Statements - are mailed out from our office on behalf of your practice or facility. The protocols of statements and collections are done specifically to your specifications.

Payments - as we receive payments and explanations of benefits from you, we post these in to our database. Each EOB will be audited for correct payment and/or benefits.

Reports - are done on a monthly basis. Because each provider and/or practice is different, we customize our reports for you.

Fee Schedules - it is vital to have fee schedules with the insurance companies and networks that you participate in, updated on a yearly basis. We request these fee schedules and negotiate the pricing on your behalf. Inflation and cost of living increases on a yearly basis, so should your reimbursement.

Medical billing is a serious business in this day and age of medical practices. Without the proper knowledge of medical billing and reimbursement methodologies, providers and practices will not receive the proper reimbursements, if any reimbursement at all. Thuriam can help to manage your billing process professionally and enhance your revenue generation.

http://media-transcription.thuriam.com/medical-billing.html

AHIMA Online Medical Coding Courses

Health information management (HIM) professionals are increasing in demand as the healthcare industry grows. Medical coding and medical billing is an area of HIM that enjoys especially strong job prospects. AHIMA is dedicated to ensuring that our members meet professional standards of excellence.

If you are thinking about starting or advancing your medical coding and medical billing training, AHIMA offers web-based training courses via our convenient "virtual" campus. Online courses offer several advantages, and allow you to

* Access to courses 24 hours a day
* Attend as many classes as you want, when you want
* Study at your own pace
* Increase retention of vital concepts
* And much more.

Medical Coding Training: Continuing Education

Web-based medical coding course include medical billing training and are a flexible method of advancing your job knowledge and skills. Many of the coding and medical billing training courses offered through AHIMA Continuing Education are delivered wholly or partially online. Online courses aren't for everyone, but if you prefer to study at your own pace, don't live near a college that offers a medical coding and medical billing training program, or can't attend classes for other reasons, the AHIMA virtual campus is your solution. To learn more, please follow this link: Medical Coding Training and Continuing Education.
Resources and Information

Whether you are just beginning your medical coding or billing career or if you are already a professional, AHIMA offers many health information management resources. For more information on medical coding, electronic health records, and more, please follow this link: Health Information Management Resources.

5 Programs in this area

Diploma in Medical Billing and Insurance Coding (DMBIC)

The goal of the Insurance Coding Specialist Diploma is to provide the student with a thorough understanding of the content of the medical record as well as extensive training in anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and medical terminology. This program will provide the student with the knowledge and understanding to analyze medical records and assign codes to classify diagnoses and procedures while applying the principles of professional and ethical conduct. The program will prepare the student for an entry-level position as a medical coder in a hospital, clinic or other health care facility.

Medical Insurance Clerk

As a Medical Insurance Clerk, you’ll need to know how to manage records and file claims, prepare insurance forms, and handle billing. You’ll get hands–on training in Law, Ethics, and Medicine; Terminology, Advanced Terminology, and Pharmacology; Advanced Word Processing and Internet Basics; Medical Filing and Records Management. And you’ll learn it all at home – no classroom needed! You’ll get valuable information about medical coding and professional associations and certifications. As a trained Medical Insurance Clerk, you can work at a physician’s office, a rehabilitation center, clinic or private billing service. Or start your own business! Medical billing services are in demand by physicians, and other health care providers around the nation. The Medical Insurance Clerk program includes the textbooks, lessons, and learning aids you need to complete your program along with toll-free instructional support and access to student services by email, phone, and mail.

Medical Terminology

Because of advances in the medical field and an aging population, the medical industry is in constant need of medical professionals, especially those with an understanding of medical terminology. Medical terminology is the specific language used by professionals in the medical industry. Understanding medical terminology is vital when entering a number of medical professions, including Medical Billing, Medical Coding, and Medical Administration.

Medical Coding

In order to streamline medical insurance claims, every symptom, diagnosis, procedure, and treatment is assigned a universal numeric code. As a medical coding specialist, it's up to you to expertly determine these codes based on notes and information provided by the physician. This numeric language tells the payor exactly what services were performed. Without this standardized coding system and without knowledgeable medical coders, medical insurance claims could not be paid.

Medical Billing

Healthcare has become one of the fastest growing industries in the United States! With the creation of HMO's, PPO's, and managed care, physicians need employees who understand the complexities of insurance billing. Because of this demand, medical billing has become one of the most popular careers in the nation. Responsibilities involve accurately completing claim forms, promptly billing insurance companies, and adhering to each insurance carrier's policies and procedures. (This program only available to United States residents and Military Personnel.)

Medical Billing and Coding

This nationally recognized Medical Billing and Coding online training certificate program is designed to prepare students to fill positions for medical coding and billing professionals. Skilled medical billing and coding technicians are in high demand these days! In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers. Also, patient information must be entered into computer databases to comply with new Federal legislation requiring the use of electronic patient records. Finally, health care facilities are having difficulty attracting qualified workers, mostly because of the lack of both formal training programs and sufficient resources to provide on-the-job training for coders.

All of these factors have combined to create a huge potential job market for qualified medical records technicians, and this course will provide you with the skill set and expertise that will make you irresistible to prospective health care employers. Upon successful completion of the Medical Billing and Coding course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position doing medical billing or coding in a medical office setting and will be prepared to sit for the CCA national certification exam.

Some typical tasks for the Medical Billing/Coding Professional include:

1. Registering of patient information.
2. Performing insurance verification, pre-authorization and referral tasks.
3. Preparing and posting transactions on day sheets, charge tickets and patient accounts.
4. Coding and billing insurance claims.
5. Collecting patient payments and performing collection activities.

Please Note: This course prepares you for the CCA certification. You must also meet the Professional Association's Eligibility Requirements for the examination. The American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) eligibility requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. This online Medical Billing and coding course is only offered in partnership with major Colleges and Universities.

Medical Coding Schools

Medical Coding Schools train professionals in all aspects of medical and health care insurance claims processes. Studies to become a Medical Coding Specialist include medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, medical law, ethics, coding and billing, and administrative techniques, as well as the universal medical coding language.

Future Medical Coding Professionals are taught how to assign a specific numeric code to each service provided to a patient, including: symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and prescribed treatments. Medical coding helps the insurance company determine which services were administered by the care provider, so the correct reimbursement can be made.

There are many choices of Medical Coding Schools, colleges, universities, and community colleges that offer the required education for this career. Students will also find Medical Coding studies offered at vocational schools, trade schools, and even online! Certificates or a degree for a Medical Coding Specialist are determined by the chosen course of study.

Medical Coding Specialists find employment in physicians' offices, insurance companies, pharmacies, private medical laboratories, medical billing services, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. They perform a vital service, helping to refine the processes of medical billing.

If you are interested in learning more about Medical Coding Schools, colleges and universities, please search our site for additional information and resources.

Medical Careers

From medical assistants to physicians the medical field has always offered wonderful career opportunities. This activity field will always provide job security and great income as the demand is growing so there won't be any problems in the future finding a need for the medical professional.

There are many different activities in this large field and they are all well paid so one can chose one convenient to his needs.

Another important point that will help decide in choosing a medical career is that one can choose from a lot of activities in the field that offer flexible time and some days per week to work and great payment. Of course, there are also full time jobs and nigh and emergencies careers for people that consider suited for these jobs, jobs witch come with great compensations but really need dedicated persons for it.

Starting with medical assistant to registered nurses, from psychologists and psychiatrists to social workers all are in great demand and will be needed as long as humanity will last.

The salary is more than motivating, the program also but many people get into a medical career for many different motivations. Some want to know themselves and how their body functions in order to cure people or they even suffer from diseases that they hope one day will find a cure. Some really have a heart for social working; some love the clean working conditions and the respect of the people for what they are doing. The most gifted persons in the field combine the psychic care and encouragements to their patient to the medications prescribed. These fields surely offer many great rewards and extreme contentment on all plans, from social to spiritual and financial ones.

In pediatrics, the medical field is wide open. Careers for child psychologists and nurses are available and of course, physicians who are ready to go to work in private practice or as an important part of a family group practice will be pleasantly surprised with their working environments in most cases.

Medical Assistants are responsible for administrative and clinical tasks. These assistants are responsible for keeping health care offices running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office. Some of the tasks performed medical assistants include taking vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, or assisting doctors with examinations. Medical assistants also collect specimens, administer medication as authorized by a physician and telephone prescriptions to pharmacies. They are also responsible for taking blood, changing sutures and dressing, and keeping examination rooms clean and tidy. Medical assistants can move up in their careers by specializing in particular healthcare areas. There are also advancement opportunities by moving up to office manager. With additional certification and education, medical assistants can advance to other health care jobs such as nursing. Healthcare employers prefer graduates of formal programs in medical assisting. Such programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Postsecondary programs usually last 1-year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years, resulting in an associate degree.

Nurses are hands-on health professionals who provide focused and highly personalized care. The field has a wide range of career opportunities, ranging from entry-level practitioner to doctoral-level researcher. Although an entry-level nurse can find a job with a two-year RN degree, there is a growing national movement to require all nurses to hold a BSN. An increasing number of nursing schools are offering accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs. There also are a growing number of RN-to-MSN and MSN-to-Ph.D. programs, designed to meet the increasing demand for more highly skilled nurses in the workforce.

In addition, nursing has four Advanced Practice clinical professions, each of which requires a master's degree and separate certification: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse, Anesthetist, Nurse-Midwife and Nurse Practitioner.

Very good employment opportunities are expected for pharmacists over the 2000-10 period because the number of degrees granted in pharmacy are not expected to be as numerous as the number of job openings created by employment growth and the need to replace pharmacists who retire. Pharmacy is the third largest health profession in the United States, and pharmacists are consistently ranked as one of the most highly trusted professionals. They care for patients, dispense medications and monitor patient health and progress to maximize their response to the medication. Pharmacists also lend their expertise on the composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties and their manufacture and use. Thank a pharmacist for ensuring your medication's strength and purity, and for assuring that drugs don't interact in a harmful way.

Dermatology offers registered nurses, PAs and medical techs many possibilities and often the dermatology offices are closed either on Monday or Friday which again, offers appeal. Dermatologists draw good salaries and career minded physicians can work alone in private practice or in a group.

If these few examples of jobs in this field convinced you, move further and see what you have to do next.

Beginning your search for a career, look online at the Occupational Handbook placed online by the US Labor board and see if you can find a career that's not only in high demand but one which will satisfy your long term goals for salary and educational requirements. Be familiar with your career opportunities before you lock yourself into a permanent career choice.

Career planning programs are designed to help you choose a medical specialty and select and apply to a residency program. This four-phase process will guide you through the elements of career planning, including self-understanding, exploring a variety of medical careers, and finally choosing a specialty to meet your career objectives.

There are several colleges that train students for careers such as Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing/ Coding Specialist, Clinical Research and many others. College's focus is not just on getting through the course material, but to make students "industry-ready".

Career training can sometimes cost money, and especially degrees can cost significantly. There are scholarship websites to help you get the degree you want, and there are state programs available to help you pay for other types of career training.

Medical Billing and Coding Training

The field of medical billing and coding is growing rapidly. Those with positions in medical billing and coding are also referred to as medical records or health information technicians. The field involves in depth knowledge of the coding systems and standards that are used everyday to record patient information. There are many training courses available at a number of institutions to become prepared for a career in medical billing and coding.

Length of Training Course. Most training courses require that entrants have an associates degree. Training programs include course work in medical terminology, legal aspects of health information, coding and billing, database management, and quality improvement methods. Students are educated on the systems of coding including the International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT-4). Training courses prepare students for certification in medical information management.

Types of Schools. In order to be eligible for certification, one must attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). There are currently over 200 accredited institutions in the United States. Those who do not attend an accredited school may still work in the field, but they are not allowed to take the certification examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Examination and Certification. Successful completion of an accredited program and examination provides the title of Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). There are several other examinations provided by the AHIMA for health information professional including the Certified Coding Associate (CCA), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), as well as certification in Healthcare Privacy and Security. The AHIMA also provides examination for the advanced position of Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Most employers prefer to hire certified employees as opposed to non-certified.

Career Advancement. Medical billing and coding professional can advance their career in two main methods. One method is to specialize in coding, including Medicare coding or cancer registry. There is on-the-job training or intensive short term training programs to become specialize in coding. For specialization in cancer registry, there are several two year programs that prepare medical coding professional for certification by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).

Medical Billing Schools

The health care field is in dire need of well-trained professionals, and a course in Medical Billing can put you on a path for better employment opportunities.

It's easy to find the right school. Medical Billing Schools are found in community colleges and vocational and trade schools. Applicants must have a high school diploma and a solid background in biology, chemistry, health, and computer courses. Medical Billing Schools offer degree programs in medical insurance billing and insurance claims processing.

Specialists trained in Medical Billing generally have earned diplomas, certificates, or Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Science degrees. Some Medical Billing Schools offer bachelor degrees that include office management in their course requirements.

Education in Medical Billing will include courses in medical office administration, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, medical coding, document processing, medical law and ethics, CPR, and taking recording of vital signs. Students learn to assign specific numeric codes to each diagnostic procedure, and to liaison with insurance companies and patients. Medical Billing students will also study methods for abstracting data from patient files, statistics, business math, database and billing management, computer applications, and medical coding.

Professionals with degrees or diplomas in Medical Billing are employed by hospitals, clinics, medical offices, mental health care facilities, nursing homes, insurance companies, consulting firms, health data organizations, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Naturally, advanced degrees and extensive experience will increase options for employment.

If you would like to learn more about Medical Billing Schools and Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

Training in Medical Billing

Online medical billing courses prepare you for a specialized medical assistant career. You'll learn billing, medical bookkeeping, and insurance. To succeed, you'll need good writing and interviewing skills, and you'll need to know medical terms and coding.

What You'll Learn in Medical Billing Courses

Online medical billing courses give you flexibility and options. If you're in a hurry to get into the field, go for a one-year certificate. You'll study medical, diagnostic, procedural terms, and medical coding, too. You'll also learn basic insurance and medical law. If you hope to move up or have more flexibility in your medical assistant career, you might pursue a two-year Associate of Science Degree in Medical Billing or Medical Insurance Billing and Coding. You'll practice interviewing and documenting cases. You'll get a medical ethics and core health science education, too.

Your Medical Billing Career

Contract billing companies with sophisticated billing equipment now do the bulk of medical billing, so you're as apt to work for one of them as for a hospital or doctor's office. However, some medical billing specialists prefer to freelance. Though no degree insures employment, as a medical billing specialist with some experience, you might make $10-$15 an hour. You'll be bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as you have access to confidential patient records. You'll keep up-to-date with your profession if you join the American Health Information Management Association.

Medical Coding Diploma

This program prepares students to code patients' medical information for reimbursement purposes. Students will consult classification manuals and assign codes to each diagnosis and procedure. Students will also receive instruction in assigning patients to a "diagnosis-related group" or DRG.

Pre-requisite Skills: Basic keyboarding skill, basic computer knowledge

Graduation Requirements: To graduate with a diploma, students must earn a minimum of 15 semester credits from MSU-Bottineau, fulfill the general education and program requirements for the degree, earn the specified number of credits listed in the curriculum, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00.

Registration: Courses not offered by MSU-Bottineau are to be selected from campuses in the ND University System. Courses selected by students must be approved by the program advisor, Aimee Erdman, before registration.

Students must make a formal written application for the award by submitting the Application for Graduation form to Student Services or to the program advisor. Other requirements are outlined in the college catalog.

The required courses for the Diploma online program are listed below:

AH 171 - Medical Terminology - 3 credits

AH 134 - Medical Disorders - 3 credits

AH 138 - Medical Coding I - CPT - 2 credits

AH 139 - Medical Coding II - ICD-9 - 2 credits

AH 231 - Healthcare Law & Ethics - 1 credit

BIOL 115 - Human Structure & Function - 4 credits

AH 142 - Practical Applications in Coding I - 2 credits

AH 143 - Practical Applications in Coding II - 2 credits

AH 266 - Laboratory & Diagnostic Procedures - 2 credits

BOTE 210 - Business Communications - 3 credits

PSYC 100 - Human Relations in Organizations - 3 credits

PHRM 215 - Introduction to Pharmacology - 3 credits

Classes are $175 per credit hour and qualified students can apply for financial aid.

Medical Coding Certificate of Completion

Physicians, clinics, and hospitals entrust medical support staff with reimbursement responsibilities. In addition to medical reimbursement, coding is also used to track diseases and to evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare facilities.

Prerequisite Skills

Participants should have a basic level of keyboarding proficiency and the ability to use a computer to create documents. Individuals who can't type or who are unfamiliar with computers will need to gain those skills before participating in this training program.

Medical Coding Certificate of Completion Curriculum

Medical Terminology 3 credits Medical Disorders 3 credits Medical Coding I - CPT 2 credits Medical Coding II - ICD - 9 2 credits Practical Applications in Coding I 2 credits Practical Applications in Coding II 2 credits *These courses are taught online and also at both the Bottineau and Minot campuses.

Program Description

The training program is comprised of 6 classes selected specifically to build coding skills.

The Medical Terminology and the Medical Disorders classes build knowledge of the medical language. The Medical Coding-CPT and Medical Coding-ICD-9 classes develop an understanding of the system of code numbers that represent each procedure, service, disease, disorder, or injury. The Practical Applications I and Practical Applications II classes provide hands-on application of coding techniques.

All 6 classes in the curriculum are available to students via distance delivery through online classes. Classes are taken one at a time following the prerequisite guidelines for each class. Students can, however, start the next class in the program immediately after satisfactory completion of the class in which they are currently enrolled.

Costs

The following is an overview of the program related costs.

* Non-refundable application fee * Tuition (currently $175/credit) * Books (contact the Bookcellar for current prices and shipping costs)

Medical Billing Training

Accurate billing with processing of health insurance claims has become a very exacting process. Insurance plan options consistently change and expand. In this dynamic process, combined with modifications in state and federal regulations (and insurance), the health care industry is constantly challenged. You may have the skills needed to enter this field. Experienced medical billing-insurance specialists are in high demand, with some moving those skills into home-based operations. Our Medical Billing Course prepares you for those challenges and the opportunities they present.

Meditec will provide the knowledge you need to obtain to become a medical biller and insurance specialist in the Medical Billing Training Module. It is used in physician's offices and institutions throughout the U.S. In a surprisingly very short time, you too can learn the fundamentals of medical billing and insurance processing with this remarkable medical billing course.

Objectives:

1. Provide information and training on basic medical billing functions
2. Introduce the variables involved in financial account responsibility
3. Provide information on major insurance programs including federally sponsored insurance (Medicare-Medicaid)
4. Provide a basic knowledge of procedures and diagnoses coding systems
5. Provide criteria for adjustments and practice management data
6. Teach how to prepare a bullet proof insurance claim

You may also be interested in combining this course with Meditec's Coding and the all new Health Insurance Specialist Course.

Career opportunities include working as a medical coder, health insurance specialist, work as office administrator. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, these are the fastest growing allied health occupations. Enroll now!

Medical Billing Independent Contractor Course (MBIC)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: MEDICAL BILLING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR BUSINESS CLASS

This vocational course provided by Precisely Write Corporation, teaches students the skills to work as home-based medical billing independent contractors. Students receive Medisoft Original Patient Account software (299.00 retail price) and are taught how to install and setup paper and electronic billing through a clearinghouse are covered, as well as, the business prcedures required to run a successful home-based medical billing business.

The course fee includes all class materials and software. Classes are self-paced distance learning, by arrangement and are held over the phone once a week for 8 weeks. Classes are two and a half hours long. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students recieve certificates of accomplishment. The course is taught by instructors with experience in preparing medical insurance claims and small business startup.

Students will need a personal computer

The cost for the course is 569.00 for materials and instruction plus a 40.00 registration and shipping charge.

To register for class, please contact Mrs. Schwab at 517 414 9440. All classes must be paid in full prior to shipment of course materials and software. Class may be only be cancelled if the course materials have not been opened. Due to the nature of the materials and their ease in duplication, no refunds will be given to opened material. Courses returned within 15 days unopened will receive a complete refund less the registration fee. No refunds given if course package has been opened.

We also provide consulting for private physcian/practices in computer networking and customized training for billing staff.

http://www.coursejunction.com/

Medical Billing Course Online

Our Online Medical Billing Course is designed to educate the biller on starting and running a medical billing business. The course has 26 main objectives. It begins with basics such as getting started, marketing, and working with providers. As you progress, you will learn more detailed and specific information on the day to day intricacies of a medical billing business.

Throughout the course, you will answer questions that provide instant feedback to enhance your learning experience. Upon completion of the course, you will have obtained profound and in-depth concepts and information about the medical billing industry.

At the end of the course, you will be given an exam designed to test your knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform various tasks associated with the medical billing industry.

This course provides billers with skills, training and information needed to operate a successful medical billing business.

Below is a partial list of topics covered in our Course.

Things to do First Getting Started Managing Your Time Learn the Lingo Acronyms and Terms Medical Coding Clearinghouses Collections How Doctors Think and Act Frequently Asked Questions How Fees are Determined Getting Paid for your Services CMS 1500 Claim Form Insurance Basics The Role of Insurance Carriers Medicare Basics Managed Care Terms Marketing to Providers Scripts Practice Management Providers You Can Work For Rejections and Appeals Services You Can Offer Compliance Guidelines Fraud and Abuse Contracts and Forms

The topics listed above are covered in our Online Course but are not representative of all comprehensive subject matter covered. To learn more about this course, feel free to speak with an Association Representative at (580) 622-2624.

This course will be taken online. Your course login information will be emailed to you.

Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist

Our CMRS exam is a voluntary, national credential for the medical billing profession. The CMRS designation is awarded by the Certifying Board of the American Medical Billing Association. These credentials are voluntary in that the federal government does not require a medical biller to be certified in order to practice medical billing.

Certification of a medical biller through AMBA is a process that recognizes the competency of a member that has met our high standards of proficiency through certification testing.

Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialists (CMRS) are skilled in facilitating the claims paying process from the time a service is rendered by a health care provider until the balance is paid. The CMRS is knowledgeable in ICD9, CPT4 and HCPCS Coding, Medical Terminology, Insurance claims and billing, appeals and denials, fraud and abuse, HIPAA, OIG Compliance, information and web technology, reimbursement, and much more. CMRS Billers play a critical role in a health care provider's daily business operations.

Certification provides knowledge and credibility to the biller and to potential health care providers as well as employers. It demonstrates your commitment and dedication in providing the highest standards possible in Claims Management and Medical Billing. Certification presents solid confirmation of your desire to offer qualified services in an industry that is complex and demands specialized training. Certification provides verification of competency and assurance of continued education. CMRS testing is provided on a national level.

Our idea of an exam meant that it would need to be thorough, complete and most of all -- credible. We wanted it to be reflective and representative of our industry which is why we cover 16 different sections from Medical Terminology to Compliance, requiring nearly 1,000 answers with a 85% accuracy rate in order to pass and earn the CMRS or Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist designation.

Below is a list of the 16 section tests that comprise the entire exam:

• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Information Technology
• Web and Information Technology
• ICD-9-CM Coding
• CPT-4 Coding
• Clearinghouses
• CMS (HCFA) 1500 Form
• Insurance
• Insurance Carriers
• Acronyms
• Compliance
• Fraud and Abuse
• Managed Care
• General

Case Study

The CMRS Exam is taken online through our secure Learning Management System. You'll have 45 days access to complete the exam. Each section can be reviewed before submission. Upon submission, a grade for that section will be provided. Once you have completed the exam, your final score is available immediately. CMRS Certifications are mailed upon completion and arrive in about 2 weeks.

One retest will be allowed, after a 30 day waiting period (but not more than 60 days) absolutely FREE.

Schools and teaching facilities that would like to make our exam available to their students can be easily set up for secure administrative access and control. Contact Us for more information at (580) 622-2624.

Study materials are available through AMBA in eBook format that will assist you in preparing to take the exam. The study materials are priced at $199 and are available through our online store. The Study Guide follows the exam layout listed above.

We have no formal requirements to take the exam, however, you should have either experience in billing or have a good foundation of knowledge on medical billing and a high school diploma or equivalent. It is not recommended for new billers, and it won't be easy, but if you use the recommended study materials and books and you are resourceful, you can pass the exam.

You will need current ICD9, CPT4 and HCPCS Code Books as well as an email account and internet access -- and you must be an AMBA Member to take the certification exam.

Additionally, 5% of the answers on this exam can be found in the book "Understanding Health Insurance" by Jo Ann C. Rowell and Michelle A. Green. You can order this book from our medical bookstore.

You will be required to earn 15 continuing education credits each year to maintain your CMRS Certification.

This certification exam has prior approval by the American Academy of Professional Coders for 22 continuing education hours. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.

To apply for the CMRS Exam, complete the Application and mail or fax it to our office along with your payment. You may also purchas the exam through our online store.

http://www.coursejunction.com

Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep

This Advanced Hospital Coding course prepares students to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) official certification exam to become a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). This program covers advanced ICD-9 coding procedures and is designed to help students meet the challenge of today's changing standards while learning and improving their coding skills. Click here to read a list of FAQs about CCS and CCA credentials.

Facility coding (hospital coding) is one of the best paying sectors of the coding profession. This course is designed for the coder who wishes to further develop their facility coding skills.

If you are already performing some aspect of facility coding, this course will fill in the gaps so that your skills are properly rounded. This "rounding" of skills makes a more marketable employee and is essential to successful completion of the American Health Information Management Association's mastery level credentialing exam, the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).

If you are currently working in a physician office or billing service, this course will give you the edge you need to advance in the workplace. Most hospitals will only hire coders with previous exposure to facility coding or are already certified. Training on the job is a luxury most hospitals are unable to offer. Coders of all levels must undergo continuing education to stay current with the constantly changing regulations.

This course will utilize your existing knowledge of medical terminology and health care sciences. Your coding skills will be heightened and focused preparing you for employment testing, job performance, and successful completion of the CCS exam. The Advanced Hospital course is not an entry level course. This course is designed specifically for students with previous coding experience, previous education, or the GES Administrative Medical Specialist course.

Advanced Hospital Coding students should have: High school diploma/GED Minimum 2 years experience with: Medical Terminology Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology ICD-9-CM coding CPT-4 coding

The intended audience for this course is a student who is seeking preparation for national certification or a student who wants to enhance their coding skills in order to make themselves more marketable in the workplace.

Coding, Documentation and Reimbursement for Physicians

With all of the changes, HIPAA rules and regulations, and the constant possibility of audits; you just can't take a chance of not knowing what is needed to be compliant in the coding and billing of your services. This course is designed to help you determine what is needed to have effective and efficient documentation, when to use modifiers, and how to not 'unbundle' services.

The key to a good practice is having a compliance plan in place. You will learn about the resources needed to create a successful compliance program and about the key elements needed to do so. You will also learn about the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Work Plan for 2004. This gives you a heads up on the services that could be targeted in the New Year's audits so you can be prepared.

Evaluation and Management documentation can be your worst nightmare, but this course gives you detailed specifics needed when documenting multiple or single organ system examinations. The specialties examinations covered are listed below. - Cardiovascular - Otolaryngology - Ophthalmology - Genitourinary - Hematologic/Lymphatic/Immunologic - Musculoskeletal - Neurological - Psychiatric - Respiratory - Integumentary

For those of you who work at a teaching hospital, teaching physician guidelines will be covered including recent changes.

As you can see, this course is a valuable asset in preparing yourself and your staff.

At the end of the course, students that are physicians will be able to document compliantly and efficiently. Students who are physician educators, office managers, consultants, etc. will be able evaluate documentation for compliance and will be able to teach physicians how to document; allowing more time to focus on patient care. You will be able to recognize and/or provide good documentation helping to allow the maximum reimbursement for the services performed.

This course was designed for physicians or upper level medical office managers. Students should have a working knowledge of medical billing practices, medical coding, and medical terminology.

http://www.coursejunction.com

Coding, Documentation and Reimbursement for Physicians

With all of the changes, HIPAA rules and regulations, and the constant possibility of audits; you just can't take a chance of not knowing what is needed to be compliant in the coding and billing of your services. This course is designed to help you determine what is needed to have effective and efficient documentation, when to use modifiers, and how to not 'unbundle' services.

The key to a good practice is having a compliance plan in place. You will learn about the resources needed to create a successful compliance program and about the key elements needed to do so. You will also learn about the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Work Plan for 2004. This gives you a heads up on the services that could be targeted in the New Year's audits so you can be prepared.

Evaluation and Management documentation can be your worst nightmare, but this course gives you detailed specifics needed when documenting multiple or single organ system examinations. The specialties examinations covered are listed below. - Cardiovascular - Otolaryngology - Ophthalmology - Genitourinary - Hematologic/Lymphatic/Immunologic - Musculoskeletal - Neurological - Psychiatric - Respiratory - Integumentary

For those of you who work at a teaching hospital, teaching physician guidelines will be covered including recent changes.

As you can see, this course is a valuable asset in preparing yourself and your staff.

At the end of the course, students that are physicians will be able to document compliantly and efficiently. Students who are physician educators, office managers, consultants, etc. will be able evaluate documentation for compliance and will be able to teach physicians how to document; allowing more time to focus on patient care. You will be able to recognize and/or provide good documentation helping to allow the maximum reimbursement for the services performed.

This course was designed for physicians or upper level medical office managers. Students should have a working knowledge of medical billing practices, medical coding, and medical terminology.

Medical Billing Course

Medical Billing Course provides an online course of extensive study in medical billing. Our students are provided with medical billing training software which allows them to enter patient data, post payments, produce completed CMS1500 forms and run reports. We are the only medical billing course of study program which has our students actually performing the day-to-day operations of a medical biller.

You may complete your examinations online or print your exam for mailing and faxing to us. Upon completion of your examinations, you will be provided with a certificate in medical billing and reimbursement. We also provide a 24 hour online Student Support Forum, telephone and email support.


Our course covers:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Billing About Medical Billing

The Basics Overview - Gathering & Entering Data - Paper Claims Processing - Electronic Claims Processing - Posting Payments - Generating Reports - Billing Your Clients

Chapter 2: Understanding Office Forms

Essential Office Forms - Patient Demographic Form and Completion - Insurance Cards - Insurance Verification Form and Verification Procedures - Superbill - Daysheet

Chapter 3: Understanding the CMS 1500 (formerly HCFA 1500)

• The Basics of the HCFA 1500 Form
• Step-By-Step Instructions for Completing a HCFA 1500
• Online HCFA Form Completion Exercises
• Commonly Made Errors

Chapter 4: Understanding Codes

• CPT (Current Procedural Technology) Coding - Definition - Proper Usage - Resource & Reference Material
• ICD (International Classification of Disease) Coding - Definition - Proper Usage - Resource & Reference Material

Chapter 5: Understanding the Life Cycle of an Insurance Claim

• The Collection of Claim Data
• Claim Information Data Entry
• Claim Submission - Paper Claims - Electronic Claims - Secondary Claims - Claims Attachments
• Posting Payments - Full Payment - Partial Payment - Deductible

Chapter 6: Working with Practice Management Software

• Clinic Data
• Physician Data
• Patient Data - Demographics Information - Insurance Information - Procedure Information - Diagnosis Information
• Claim Generation
• Report Generation

Chapter 7: Practical Experience Using Your Practice Management Software

You will receive a Practice Manager® 2000 Medical Billing Software for training, a software training workbook, a mock data manual for data entry and HCFA 1500 forms.

This chapter is quite comprehensive and will have you actually entering data, generating claims, posting payments, running reports, etc. These are considered the "daily operations" of a medical billing center.

Chapter 8: Operating a Medical Billing Business

• Naming Your Business
• Setting Up Your Business
• Office Equipment & Essentials
• Services You Can Provide
• Relationship Selling
• Steps to Creating a Business Plan
• Steps to Writing a Proposal

Chapter 9: Marketing Your Medical Billing Business

• Promoting Your Business
• The Benefits of Selling Benefits
• Targeting Specialties
• Your Market
• Revenue Enhancement
• Sample Documents - brochures, flyers, post-cards, letters, contracts

Course Chapters include Study Guides and clickable Internet Resources in addition to the chapter material and examination.

Course Chapters include free telephone, online forum and software technical support.

Your Medical Billing Course Certification is furnished upon completion. Students possessing an over-all score of 95% or better are provided with a Certification of Special Distinction.

Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office

Continuous changes in the medical billing and coding industry and HIPAA changes have created an incredible demand for those trained in coding. The Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office course is designed for students with previous coding experience, a basic coding education, or the GES Administrative Medical Specialist course (click here for more information on the AMS course). CPT, ICD-9-CM (Volumes I and II), and HCPCS Level II Coding will be covered along with information on the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), compliance and reimbursement issues, E&M guidelines, and much more. Details and tips are provided to ensure that the most in-depth knowledge is acquired. This leads to increased accuracy in code selections and a smoother billing process with quicker and better reimbursement.

This course prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Students registering for the Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office course should have an understanding of the CPT-4 (CPT), ICD-9-CM (ICD-9) and HCPCS coding principles. There will be brief introductions involving the "basics" of coding and then will span out to include the more in-depth information. The Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office course is not an entry level course. This course is designed specifically for students with previous coding experience, previous education, or the GES Administrative Medical Specialist course.

The intended audience for this course is a student who is seeking preparation for national certification or a student who wants to enhance their coding skills in order to make themselves more marketable in the workplace. GES will provide you with the two textbooks you will need for this course (ICD-9 Coding for Physician's Offices and CPC and HCPCS Coding Made Easy). When you complete your course, GES will provide you with a current copy of the official CPC Study Guide to help you further prepare for the CPC exam. As a current coder seeking more in depth knowledge, you should already have a set of coding books. They are not provided by GES. You are expected to have your own current year CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-9-CM coding books.

http://www.coursejunction.com

Medical Billing And Coding Profession

Medical billers and coders are in high demand among the allied health occupations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health information technicians are one of the 10 fastest-growing allied health occupations. It is a challenging, interesting career where you are compensated according to your level of skills and how effectively you use them.

Medical billers and coders know this and feel good about the support they provide to physicians, clinics, hospitals, and patients. They know they play an important role in the business office where they are employed. Their work consists of submitting the proper documentation to a number of insurance companies and federal agencies for reimbursement in order for their employer to financially succeed and avoid fraud charges. Their specialized training and expertise lets them find work any place, any time. Numerous opportunities for trained individuals exist in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and in form of freelance home-based businesses. Advancement opportunities are unlimited!

The U.S. Department of Labor states that continued employment growth for medical coders and billers is spurred by the increased medical needs of an aging population and the number of health practitioners. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that earnings vary widely and pay levels are governed chiefly by experience and qualifications.

Healthcare Careers Offer Job Security, Personal Satisfaction, Challenges, and Rewarding Experiences

Many interested in a career in the healthcare field decide to specialize in the medical billing and coding profession. Medical billers and coders are no longer restricted to only the doctor's or dentist's office but are now working in hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, mental healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), consulting firms, and health data organizations, or even from home.

These highly skilled professionals are earning impressive wages everywhere they are. Typical duties of medical billers and coders include:

• Explaining insurance benefits to patients and clients
• Office bookkeeping and other administrative duties
• Accurately completing claim forms
• Explaining insurance benefits to patients
• Handling day to day medical billing procedures
• Adhering to each insurance carrier's policies and procedures
• Prompt billing of insurance companies
• Documenting all activities using correct medical terminology
• Scheduling appointments

Other job opportunities for medical billers and coders include:

• Billing Specialist
• Patient Account Representativ
• Electronic Claims Processor
• Billing Coordinator
• Coding Specialist
• Claims Analyst
• Reimbursement Specialist
• Claims Assistant Professional
• Medical Collector
• Claims Processor
• Claims Reviewer

What is Medical Billing?

Medical billing is better described as medical practice management and a doctor's key to getting paid. Although most doctor's offices request that payment be made at the time a medical service is provided in order to minimize billing, every medical office has a need to maintain patient financial accounts and for collecting money.

In a small family practice or suburban clinic this task may be simple and assigned to the medical assistant or nurse but in bigger practices and clinics this is the medical biller's job!

Medical billers and coders usually work forty regular office hours from Monday through Friday on a desk in the billing office or billing department of the professional healthcare office. They must know the different methods of billing patients, understand various collection methods, ethical and legal implications, have a good working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, medical billing and claims form completion, and coding. They also must understand database management, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and possess state-of-the-art word processing and accounting skills, be proficient in bookkeeping, and be able to type at a speed of at least 45 words-per-minute.

The work area of medical billers and coders usually is in a separate area away from the patients and public eye. However, even though they are not involved in the actual process of doctors and healthcare professionals providing medical care they need to possess excellent customer service skills when it comes to making contact with clients, insurance companies, and often patients. Medical billers must know how to explain charges, deal with criticism, give and receive feedback, be assertive, and communicate effectively without becoming confused as the person is asking questions. Patients can quickly become frustrated when trying to deal with healthcare providers and bills over the phone.

While an increasing amount of patient care is being funded through HMO related insurance, where the patient makes a small copayment at the time of service and the doctor bills the managed care company for the balance, a number of patients still need to make arrangements to pay for their medical services over a period of time. Part of the medical biller and coder's job is to contact some of these patients from time to time regarding a past due bill. Incoming calls from patients who have questions regarding a bill are also directed to the medical biller's office. The way s/he communicates over the phone can make or break business relationships.

Other specialties closely related to the medical billing and coding profession are:

• Medical Coders/Coding Specialists
• Patient Account Representatives
• Electronic Claims Processors
• Billing Coordinators
• Reimbursement Specialists
• Claims Assistant Professionals
• Medical Claims Analysts
• Medical Claims Processors
• Medical Claims Reviewers
• Medical Collectors

What is Medical Coding?

Every healthcare provider that delivers a service receives money for these services by filing a claim with the patient's health insurance provider or managed care organization. This is also referred to as an encounter. An encounter is defined as "a face-to-face contact between a healthcare professional and an eligible beneficiary."

Codes exist for all types of encounters, services, tests, treatments, and procedures provided in a medical office, clinic, or hospital. Even patient complaints such as headache, upset stomach, etc. have codes which consist of a set of numbers and combinations of sets of numbers. The combination of these codes tells the payer (health insurance companies or government entities) what was wrong with the patient and what services were performed. This makes it easier to handle these claims and to identify the provider on a predetermined basis. In addition, the services rendered (CPT) codes have to match the diagnosis (ICD) codes to justify medical necessity.

To do this correctly for each third party payer choices have to be made from a combination of 3 coding systems totaling over 10000 codes, and which change annually. In addition, a completely new coding system, ICD-10, is proposed for reimbursement purposes in the near future.

Tools of the Trade

CPT books provide all the procedural terminology and ICD-9-CM code books have the most up-to-date information on medical diagnosis coding. The medical coder must stay current on any new ICD-9 code changes that would impact code accuracy and claims submission. HCPCS books contain the complete lists of HCPCS Level II codes with descriptions. They will guide the medical coder through current modifiers, code changes, additions and deletions. HIPAA books help to develop an effective HIPAA compliance plan and DRG books are needed for Medicare's classification of inpatient hospital services based on principal diagnosis, secondary diagnosis, surgical procedures, age, sex, and presence of complications.

Training

Training of the medical billers and coders can range from two to four years of college, a technical school diploma, certificates from correspondence courses, to simple home study programs. Upon completion of such training many coders may seek professional certification.

Though not necessary, it is recommended and national associations are available for the certification processes.

Vocational Training

Professional medical billers and coders are in very high demand. Billing for services in healthcare is more complicated than in other industries. Government and private payers vary in payment for the same services and healthcare providers and organizations provide services to beneficiaries of several insurance companies at any one time.

Therefore, to reach proficiency in this business, basic training, clinical supervision and continued professional development is essential!

Typical Course Requirements are:

• Medical Office Procedures
• Medical Keyboarding
• Medical Terminology
• Health Structure and Function
• Health Care Records Management
• Medical Insurance
• Survey of Pathology
• CPT-4 HCPCS II, III
• Healthcare Laws and Ethics
• Basic Coding ICD-9-CM
• Basic Pharmacology
• Medical Transcription
• Externship
• National Exam
• General Education Requirements

Professional Advancement Opportunities

A recent American Hospital Association survey showed that about 18% of billing and coding positions remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. Most companies and practices are looking for schooling and experience mostly because of the legal ramifications of incorrect billing practices.

However, medical billers and coders are also able to work independently out of their homes where they established a home based billing office. There are plenty of electronic billing programs available that can be set up through home office computers. Also, there is the possibility to become an independent insurance specialist or consultant who helps patients understand their insurance bills and what they should be paying.

Opportunities also exist as patient account managers, physician office supervisors and management, various types of personnel managers in the healthcare industry, health claims examiners, and medial billing and coding instructors. The more education the individual has, the more employment options are available and advancement opportunities become virtually unlimited!

Professional Certification

As in so many healthcare professions certification in the medical billing and coding field is not required but highly recommended. The days of the single family practice medical assistant or nurse typing out an invoice after office hours are history. Even the smallest offices and clinics have changed to computer billing because it offers greater coding accuracy, saves time, and can be used by administrators and auditors to ensure that visits are being coded to the appropriate levels which increases revenues.

Understandably, these offices and companies are looking for individuals who are certified in their field to ensure the employer that the individual whom they hire is competent and proficient.

There are numerous well known and well respected organizations sponsoring these types of examinations. Intersted candidates should research each one and find the one that most suits your needs: American Association of Medical Billers (AAMB) offers Certified Medical Biller (CMB) and Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS) examinations. The National Association of Claims Assistant Professionals (NACAP) offer Certified Claims Assistance Professional (CCAP) and Certified Electronic Claims Professional (CECP). The examinations for Certified Procedural Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CPS), Accredited Record Technician (ART), and Registered Record Administrator (RRA), are administered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The National Healthcareer Assosciation (NHA) is offering their Medical Billing and Coding (CBCS) credential.

If your objective is to work for a medical office, group practice, healthcare provision network, or hospital as the medical billing and coding specialist keep in mind that most private practices, organizations and hospitals throughout the country not only prefer but often require national certification as a competency standard.

Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding

The medical industry is experiencing a tremendous demand for individuals with knowledge of medical office operations, which includes billing and coding, processing insurance forms, and using medical software. According to the American Medical Association, there are more than 1.2 million Medical Specialists in the United States. This profession is listed as one of the fastest growing professions in allied health. The Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding will give you the skills you need to find the job YOU are looking for as an Administrative Medical Specialist (AMS), Medical Billing Specialist, and/or Medical Coder. In addition to the extensive Medical Billing information, you will be taught every aspect of the Medical Receptionist/Front Desk position. This includes scheduling appointments, industry- specific techniques for filing, proper protocol for patient interaction, and hands-on training with a Practice Management system used in many doctor’s offices around the country. This program also provides preparation for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) national certification exam. Upon successful completion of the Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position doing medical billing or coding in a medical office setting and will be prepared to sit for the CCA national certification exam.

Some typical tasks for the AMS include:

1. Receiving, making and documenting telephone calls.
2. Scheduling appointments and registering of patient information.
3. Performing insurance verification, pre-authorization and referral tasks.
4. Preparing patient charts and maintaining medical records.
5. Preparing and posting transactions on day sheets, charge tickets and patient accounts.
6. Coding and billing insurance claims.
7. Collecting patient payments and performing collection activities.

The career of an administrative medical specialist is a challenging one with new opportunities arising continuously. Job security is high for an individual who understands claims processing and billing regulations, possesses sharp coding skills, and is successful in appealing under-paid or denied insurance claims. Recent surveys of medical office personnel Help Wanted advertisements indicate the need for individuals with these skills. With this online AMS program, students will learn the job skills they need to be successful candidates in the workforce.

Please Note: This course prepares you for the CCA certification. You must also meet the Professional Association's Eligibility Requirements for the examination. The American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) eligibility requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding program, students will:

• Be proficient in skills such as medical terminology, communication, telephone techniques, organization and time management.
• Have knowledge of Medical Practice Settings and Specialties, as well as the differences in Traditional and Managed Care. Students also learn about Commercial, HMO/PPO, Federal and State insurance plans, including eligibility and coverage, as well as reimbursement methodologies.
• Have knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities of an administrative medical specialist, including the HIPAA mandates, the rules for maintaining privacy of medical records and protected health information, and the types of consents and disclosures that are required in a medical office environment.
• Be able to perform tasks associated with the entire Accounts Receivable and Revenue cycle, including scheduling and registration of patients; posting of accounting transactions; completion of insurance claim forms, and collections.
• Be able to perform the day-to-day tasks associated with medical coding, medical billing and completing insurance forms.
• Be able to effectively input patient information, run office reports, and process insurance claims using medical software.
• Be prepared to take an Advanced Coding course to prepare for more advanced national certifications.

Medical Billing Course Online

Our online medical billing course will provide you not only with the basics of starting and running your own medical billing business, you will build a solid foundation of advanced knowledge on which you can rely upon from beginning your business through day to day operations that will help you succeed.

Our courses provide you with instant feedback that will enhance your learning experience.

Our Online Medical Billing Course is designed to educate the biller on starting and running a medical billing business. The course has 26 main objectives. It begins with basics such as getting started, marketing, and working with providers. As you progress, you will learn more detailed and specific information on the day to day intricacies of a medical billing business.

Throughout the course, you will answer questions that provide instant feedback to enhance your learning experience. Upon completion of the course, you will have obtained profound and in-depth concepts and information about the medical billing industry.

At the end of the course, you will be given an exam designed to test your knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform various tasks associated with the medical billing industry.

This course provides billers with skills, training and information needed to operate a successful medical billing business.

Medical Billing and Coding Mega Combination Course

The CORE Medical Billing Course includes everything you need to learn to become a professional medical biller and to start working in this high-paying, high demand profession.

The CORE Medical Billing Course includes the following

* Online Access to Course for 1 Year
* CORE Medical Billing Course
* Health Insurance Specialist

Add-Ons Allowed

The Medical Billing Certification is self-paced. Includes overview of patient registration, billing terminology, insurance billing, posting payments, writeoffs, challenges, collections, reports, insurance payer types, and requirements, with complete detail on how each is different. Upon completion, work as a Biller, Account Specialist, Insurance Specialist, or set up a home billing service.

* Provides experience and expertise for a job
* Insurance form processing management - new field - “Health Insurance Specialist” only at Meditec - part II of this module
* Complete Training for the CMCP Exam
* Convenient Anytime, Anywhere Training
* Electronic claims
* Interactive chapter testing, platform learning
* Billing Software Included

Medical Billing Courses and Training - 6 courses in this area

Medical Insurance Clerk

Start a new career, or your own business as a Medical Insurance Clerk. Work for doctors, hospitals, and clinics, or start your own medical billing service. The services of skilled medical billing professionals are greatly needed, respected, and in demand. This training program prepares you for this exciting health care career, as well as for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) certification. Includes Learn To Code and Medisoft® Patient Accounting software. Learn at home, in your spare time, at your own pace and earn your career diploma in as little as one year! All required textbooks, learning aids, and software are included. Complete student support is available by phone, mail, and e-mail.

Professional Medical Billing Program

Physicians are overwhelmed with insurance paperwork these days. Medical claims processing has become big business! With the right training, you could have the skills to process medical claims efficiently, handle patient invoices, and obtain reimbursements for both patients and doctors. PCDI's convenient home study diploma course teaches you these skills. Experienced medical billing specialists provide a very important service. Some even move on to offer their special skills in home based medical billing firms! Imagine having the opportunity to some day work flexible hours from your own home. In our nationally accredited distance learning course, we'll teach you the practical medical billing and medical insurance knowledge and hands-on skills that are use by doctors’ and dentists’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and insurance companies. And remember: there are no educational prerequisites or experience requirements to
enroll. Enjoyable, home study training from PCDI makes it easy and fun!

Medical Terminology

Because of advances in the medical field and an aging population, the medical industry is in constant need of medical professionals, especially those with an understanding of medical terminology. Medical terminology is the specific language used by professionals in the medical industry. Understanding medical terminology is vital when entering a number of medical professions, including Medical Billing, Medical Coding, and Medical Administration.

Medical Coding

In order to streamline medical insurance claims, every symptom, diagnosis, procedure, and treatment is assigned a universal numeric code. As a medical coding specialist, it's up to you to expertly determine these codes based on notes and information provided by the physician. This numeric language tells the payor exactly what services were performed. Without this standardized coding system and without knowledgeable medical coders, medical insurance claims could not be paid.

Medical Billing

Healthcare has become one of the fastest growing industries in the United States! With the creation of HMO's, PPO's, and managed care, physicians need employees who understand the complexities of insurance billing. Because of this demand, medical billing has become one of the most popular careers in the nation. Responsibilities involve accurately completing claim forms, promptly billing insurance companies, and adhering to each insurance carrier's policies and procedures. (This program only available to United States residents and Military Personnel.)

Types of Health Insurance

part of Day In The Life Of Hlth Care Services-Video (Dho Series) series.

Medical Billing Courses

Medical billers are responsible for completing a wide variety of forms to ensure transactions between healthcare insurance plans and their recipients run smoothly.

This area of medical-support hires huge numbers of employees across North America every year. Medical billers are increasingly being called upon by clinics, large medical practices, management services organizations and other healthcare providers to perform all of their billing services.

Small practitioners also commonly outsource work to qualified employees who can establish an electronic medical billing service from their homes.

Jobs are available all across the country, with earnings ranging from $10 to $20/hour depending upon your experience, location, and time available for work.

Our medical billing courses provide you with the training you need to enter this profession, including practice using all of the different types claims. An experienced instructor reviews and comments on all assignments.

What A Medical Billing Training Program or Correspondence Course

Sure it would be easy for me to tell you what a good medical billing billing training program should be comprised of (and I will in the next section so you can see both sides of the coin) but I know from experience that by telling you how they shouldn't be will make a more dramatic impact on you so you will remember them instantly when researching an online training program. Here goes:

1) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't be taught by anyone other than experienced medical billers or a successful home based medical billing business owner.

2) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't be given by an EC (Educational Clearinghouses are schools or learning institutions that don't specialize in any one paticular profession but instead teaches everything under the sun from accounting to zoology). The BIGGEST problem with EC's is that you are not taught the in-depth and focused education that you need to be professional and efficient in this industry.

3) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't take you 2 years to complete (If you are also studying to be a nationally certified medical coder as well it can come close to that depending on the school).

4) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't be really short in length (1 day to 2 weeks. What will you really learn in that amount of time? NOTHING!)

5) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't be overly expensive (learning to be a home based medical biller is not rocket science so a medical billing training program shouldn't be more than $700. If you are going to take courses at a local college, specialized medical billing/coding trade school or a vocational school then the price tag will be more. If your course includes classes on becoming a certified medical coder the cost will also be more substantial).

6) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't promise any Certification (only certain organizations can award you with certification and you will have to pass a very lengthy and extensive exam to earn the designation).

7) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't push you to learn the material at their pace (everyone learns differently so attaching time limits to a course is detrimental to the learning process).

8) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't give you only one payment option (everyone's financial situation is different and a good course will be flexible enough to accommodate each students circumstances).

9) Your Medical Billing Training Program shouldn't restrict you from speaking with other students and alumni that have taken their course (referrals is the best way for potential students to research the outcome of the course and it should be a school/courses pleasure to supply you with at least ten referrals and more if you ask).

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