Are you interested in medical billing and coding school but aren’t sure what to expect? It can be scary to take a new direction in life without knowing what it entails. The good news is that there are many resources and people that can brief you on billing and help you decode coding. Educated yourself as much as possible before you start your education!

Expectations and Reality

You might have heard rumors or have presumptions about medical billing and coding school . Many people have taken classes to go on to fulfilling and practical careers. Don’t let confusion or wrong information scare you away! We rounded up a handful of the most common worries and tried to bust some myths.

Expectation: Medical Billing and Coding School Is Very Technical and Difficult

Reality: Training Sets You Apart And Prepares You For A Competitive Job Search

The majority of the training and eventual work of billing and coding take place on a computer. Learning to code is a little bit like learning another language. Coding is a simple language that computers can understand. But that’s where training comes in! Attending a medical billing and coding school sets you apart from other candidates and can give you a better chance at securing future employment. Career schools can also offer job search assistance with résumé editing and interview practice once you’ve completed your training.

Expectation: Medical Billing and Coding School Is Boring

Reality: Classes Are Taught By Professionals And Include Hands-On Experience

Medical billing and coding professionals are an important part of a healthcare team. It’s essential to record patient information correctly for insurance and future care. Teachers are professionals themselves who know what the real work is like. You’ll also be learning the real computer software used in doctor’s offices. Everything you learn is practical and future-focused.

Expectation: School is Too Expensive

Reality: Financial Aid Is Available To Those Who Qualify

The cost of billing and coding training is understandably a big concern or many potential students. The good news is that you might be able to receive financial aid. Career school staff members can meet with potential students to discuss what they may qualify for. Also, because the program can be completed in as little as 7.5 months, you’re not paying for years and years of classes.

Is Medical Billing and Coding School In Your Future?

At Delta College, billing and coding are a big part of the Medical Office and Health Information Technician program. It prepares students for potential employment in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and clinics. Interested but still have questions? Contact the Delta College location nearest you: Slidell, Covington, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette. You can schedule a tour, get tons of information, or meet with a financial advisor before you make your decision.

What would we do without computers? Nearly everyone uses them to keep in touch, stay on schedule, get where we’re going, and learn new things. You’re reading this article on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, aren’t you? Most people use computers at work as well. Almost every industry relies on computing technology in some way. It’s essential for the sharing and recording of information.

Vital for Vitals

In healthcare, the importance of computers can be equivalent to life and death. The accurate recording and storing of patient information protects their health and privacy. These tasks—referred to as billing and coding—are essential to a medical practice’s efficient operation. Every medical facility needs employees dedicated to this digital information. Specialized and sought-after, trained individuals can have excellent job prospects in south Louisiana.

Confused About Coding?

Think back to your last time in a doctor’s office. Every piece of information was written down or entered into a computer. Every person you talked to, every vital taken, and every question you answered. After your appointment, a medical coder transforms these words into numbers and letters to attach to your file. Think of coding like translating English into a computer language for medical software.   

Baffled About Billing?

Once all your visit information is coded, a medical biller uses it to create a claim for your insurance company. After your insurance pays the doctor their share, the office bills you for the rest. The medical biller serves as a liaison between the service provider, the insurance company, and you as a patient.

Billing and Coding Training

These billing and coding tasks are often the responsibility of a medical office assistant. Because of the specificity of these skills, professional training is crucial to be competitive in the job market. Billing and coding classes are part of the Medical Office and Health Information Technician program at Delta College. In addition to billing and coding, this program teaches many other essential tasks:  

• Review records for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy
• Organize and maintain data for databases and registries
• Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
• Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
• Protect patients’ health information for confidentiality and security

The Medical Office and Health Information Technician program is offered at all four Delta College campuses. Get your billing and coding training where it’s most convenient for you. Visit the best location for you below to learn more and schedule a tour.  

• Baton Rouge
• Covington
• Slidell
• Lafayette