Medical billing is an excellent career choice for individuals who want job security but are not interested in clinical roles. You will work alongside doctors, nurses, and other administrators to enable patient care while at the same time promoting safety and accountability across your organization.
Careers in medical billing are a vital component of the healthcare system. These professionals complete the administrative tasks needed to secure reimbursement for medical services rendered. Medical billers also serve a critical quality control and accountability role by enforcing documentation standards.
A great way to prepare for a role in billing is by attending a vocational school. An administrative healthcare role may be an excellent option if you have strong attention to detail and desire a stable career with advancement opportunities.
Vocational schools prepare you for workplace challenges by helping you develop practical skills and the underlying theory that guides the industry. Plus, completing your education will give you a competitive advantage in the job market and maximize your earning potential throughout your career.
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Vocational Program?
Vocational schools are a great option because they focus on developing fundamentals while grounding their curriculum in real-world applications. Students often choose vocational education because they offer flexibility without sacrificing job preparedness. Benefits include:
Online Coursework
Many medical billing programs offer fully online coursework. You’ll complete your education online while obtaining the same knowledge and skills as students who attend on campus. Online courses can save you time commuting and offer flexibility to complete coursework. This adaptability can make it easier if you have children, professional commitments, or other obligations that make in-person courses difficult to schedule.
Online teaching is a refined process that utilizes intuitive technology to help you get the most out of your coursework. This approach can help you prepare for possible telework opportunities, building the skills and drive to work independently. Your online interactions with instructors and peers will also help you self-assess if remote collaboration is right for you.
A Quick Start
While vocational schools offer multiple certificates and credential options, you can complete a medical billing program in as little as three months. Instructors design medical billing programs with the knowledge needed to enter the workforce and succeed from your first day. Completing this program can help you begin your career as quickly as possible while building your confidence at the same time. Plus, graduates with formal training are more attractive candidates for employers.
Full Curriculum
Vocational schools offer a full curriculum providing students with the foundational knowledge required to be a successful medical biller. Plus, instructors cover the theory of billing, coding techniques and strategies, how to use reference materials, and the practical skills used in a medical office.
Graduates are a reflection of their schools. Institutions take pride in positioning students for success because it helps build a strong alumni network and strengthens ties with the healthcare industry. The curriculum creates well-rounded medical billing specialists who are up to date on best practices and regulations.
Career Services
You will have a dedicated and knowledgeable career service center to help you find a job after graduation. Vocational schools measure their success by job placement. As a result, they offer many resources to help you build resumes, prepare for interviews, and strategize for success in an office setting.
Career service centers often have job boards listing high-quality employment opportunities in the community. In many cases, local employers are staffed by vocational school graduates, helping create a network of employers who understand the quality of the education you received at Hunter Business School.
Competitive Advantage in the Job Market
While medical billing opportunities will continue to grow, competition is tough as applicants turn to the industry, drawn in by the stable opportunity. Completing vocational training will make you a more desirable candidate.
Employers recognize applicants who graduate from vocational programs as committed to the profession and understand the expectations and duties of the job. This insight makes graduates more desirable because they are more likely to persevere and succeed as core members of a department.
Many employers also require formal education because medical billing is a complex and demanding role. Medical billers must be timely and accurate. Hiring competent candidates who enter the workplace ready to complete the required tasks is critical to prevent loss of revenue based on errors and missed deadlines., so there is opportunity to grow.
Opportunity for Advancement
Billing and coding departments are staffed by many professionals completing various tasks within the revenue cycle. Employers require team leads, supervisors, and specialized coders who can complete highly detailed cases.
Advanced positions and supervisory roles often require formal education. As a vocational school graduate, you will have the foundational knowledge needed to comprehend and oversee billing processes. In addition, your schooling will help you develop the soft skills to collaborate with fellow doctors, nurses, and other administrative professionals.
Once you gain experience, your education will position you for promotions and increased responsibility as your knowledge and skills grow to complement your vocational training.
What Do You Learn During a Medical Billing Program?
Medical billing programs include healthcare science, billing and coding best practices, and many important healthcare skills. Courses blend traditional instruction, group work, and hands-on learning to provide a well-rounded education. Topics include:
Medical Terminology
Medical billers must read and interpret narrative medical reports for completeness and accuracy. During this course, you will cover the standard terminology for body systems, illnesses, medical conditions, and the verbiage practitioners use to document healthcare diagnoses and procedures.
As you become familiar with the terminology, your knowledge will build upon itself, helping you read and interpret healthcare information you will come across on a day-to-day basis. Your fluency will make you a valuable medical biller, enabling you to work accurately and efficiently.
Medical Coding and Reimbursement
Medical bills are submitted on standardized forms using industry-wide criteria and practices. While this universality means you can work for any type of institution, the processes are highly detailed and complex.
Your coursework will include the ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding languages. These are the globally accepted alpha-numeric systems used to communicate diagnoses and treatments between medical professionals and insurers.
As a medical biller, you will translate raw clinical data and generate invoices for the rendered services. You will also read and interpret delays and denials to follow up on outstanding bills and secure reimbursement.
Revenue Cycle and Insurance Operations
Medical billers are the bridge between treatment and reimbursement. During this course, you will learn how invoices pass through the healthcare system and the required documentation needed to complete those invoices. Instructors will teach you how to read and interpret Medicare policy and insurance coverages so you can submit accurate and compliant bills.
Depending on the nature of your employer, you may be responsible for reviewing rejected bills and drafting appeals for reconsideration. A strong understanding of insurer operations and billing best practices is essential to success as a medical biller.
Doctors’ offices, hospital systems, and other providers who bill for healthcare need medical billers to generate invoices. Insurance companies also need quality medical billers to review invoices and issue approval or denial.
Computerized Medical Practice Management
Electronic medical records are federally mandated, and paperless billing is becoming the industry standard. This course will cover computerized medical practice management fundamentals. Vocational programs use real-world systems to provide you with hands-on experience.
This course will ensure you can confidently use the technology employed across the industry. Strong computer skills will help you transition into your new job and make you a valuable resource to your employer.
Healthcare Law and Ethics
Healthcare is a tightly regulated industry. Medical bills must accurately reflect rendered services and contain supporting documentation. During this course, you will learn applicable federal laws and regulations that govern the healthcare industry. Instructors will touch on the ethical obligations of medical billing. While you won’t have direct patient contact, you will help promote patient safety by auditing medical records for completeness.
Want to Learn More?
Did learning about becoming a successful medical billing and coding specialist interest you? The Medical Billing Specialist program at Hunter Business School on Long Island prepares billing and coding students to obtain entry-level employment specializing in medical related billing and coding in physician’s offices. The online Medical Billing program is a 3-month diploma program available online.
Contact us today to find out more on how to become a medical billing specialist on Long Island.