Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, creating demand for many new jobs. Each month in 2022, 49,000 more people were hired in medical positions. Over the next 10 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the sector will employ 13% more workers.
Choosing between medical coding and billing programs can be challenging for those who want finance-related jobs in healthcare settings. Read on to learn some traits of quality programs that help you learn the ins and outs of these rewarding and well-paying jobs.
1. Diverse Lessons
Learning medical coding skills is a process with many parts. Starting your career the right way means learning all facets of medical coding and billing.
Quality programs will teach you about medical and dental office procedures. Most workplaces have similar methods of collecting and storing data to remain compliant with HIPAA regulations. Understanding common procedures means you’ll have the career skills needed to thrive in new offices across the US with minimal training.
You also will learn the ins and outs of insurance billing. Regardless of your job location, you’ll work with patients who partner with dozens of different insurance companies. Quality medical coding problems will help you understand the software and procedures used for billing insurance companies.
Collections is another job skill that a good medical billing program will teach you. You’ll understand how to send invoices, collect and distribute receipts, and log paid bills within office databases.
Finally, procedure and diagnostic coding lets physicians and healthcare providers report procedures they perform to the government, private payers, and researchers. As a coding and billing professional, this will be your job. Luckily, great programs will help you understand current procedural terminology and reporting logistics.
2. Soft Skill Boosting
The best programs will teach soft skills like communication as well as hard job skills. In a quality program, you’ll learn how to compassionately communicate with patients and get information from insurance providers.
Free Microsoft Office training also can help you learn commonly used technology like Word and Excel. This gives you the skills needed to keep records organized and create spreadsheets that make reading information easy.
3. Short Training Programs
Despite there being a lot of material to learn, becoming a medical biller and coder isn’t a long and drawn-out process. Healthcare Career College offers an 11-month training program with hands-on classroom training.
This means that in less than a year, you’ll get certified. You can begin your medical career quickly and develop on-the-job skills while getting paid.
4. Affordable Tuition
It’s no secret that college courses can be costly. Finding an affordable option is a critical consideration when choosing a school. Determine how much you’re willing to invest based on the average salary for those in your chosen field.
Medical coders and billing professionals have a median annual salary of over $55,000. This makes the upfront cost well worth the future payoff.
Plus, since we offer financial aid to many students, there are additional options for those looking to save money. You don’t necessarily need to pay everything out-of-pocket.
5. Job Placement Services
The 2024 job market is extremely challenging. Layoffs are on the incline and it can take up to a year to find a on. Plus, hiring teams are getting an overabundance of applications for the positions they’re looking to fill.
Because of these challenges, many people fear that their investment in healthcare coding and billing certification won’t pay off. But when you work with a college that offers job placement services, you have little to worry about.
Assuming that you do well in classes and participate actively, job placement assistance is likely to pay off. Healthcare Career College offers job placement assistance with a wide healthcare community network. We use these connections to place students in externships while still in school, but more importantly, we help our graduates find employment opportunities and thrive within those roles.
Some of our employment partners include US Health Works, Northeast Community Clinics, Planned Parenthood, St. John’s, and St. Jude Medical Center. These are far from your only options, but they’re a few of the huge organizations committed to kickstarting your career.
We also offer interview tips and tricks to help you get hired quickly. A quality medical coding and billing program means better career readiness.
6. Multiple Certification Tracks
Certification is a core aim of those attending medical coding problems, researching and understanding various tracks for getting certified means starting your career with an appropriate background.
A quality school will offer NHA, NCCT, and AAPC certification tracks. These organizations all provide professional coding certifications and are widely accepted at hospitals and healthcare clinics nationwide. The option you choose should depend on your focus – inpatient certifications often come from different sources than outpatient ones.
You also should rely on free certification preparation and testing services. This will ensure that you’re ready for certification exams so you can pass on your first try. You’ll get faster job placement and a higher salary with appropriate certification.
Getting certified also helps you advance into careers in health information technology, hospital coding management, and clinical management!
7. Top-Notch Instruction
To get certified and find job success, you’ll need to select a coding and billing program that offers high-quality instruction. Experienced and qualified instructors mean learning from those who have experience in the field. You’ll get more rigorous training with compassionate and caring experts who know how to teach you effectively and push you toward success.
Small class sizes that offer personalized attention signal a quality program. You will have more chances to ask questions and get support from instructors.
Also, consider looking into the availability of tutoring and support services. Medical coding is a challenging field, and there’s no shame in needing some extra help. You just need to make sure that help is available.
Take Advantage of Quality Medical Coding and Billing Programs
Now that you know some traits of the best medical coding and billing programs, it’s time to start the process of signing up for a high-quality program. Healthcare Career College offers courses for a wide range of medical jobs including medical coding programs.
We’re excited to help you succeed in your chosen medical career. Apply today to begin attending courses on our Los Angeles campus ASAP.