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Need advice about online courses - Ann

Posted: Dec 17, 2014

My daughter is a manager of a chiropractic office and wants to take an online billing and coding class. Could anyone please give some advice and/or rcommendations for a reputable school? I have read the posts about Andrews but would like other options to check on. Thank you in advance for any information!

What is her goal? - Answer depends on that

[ In Reply To ..]
What is her ultimate goal? Is it to change careers into coding itself, i.e., to leave the chiropractic office and work full time coding medical records for hospitals, do coding consultant work, etc.? Or is she just looking to get a better handle on dealing with the claims she is submitting to insurance companies?

There is a difference between coding and billing. Both of them involve diagnosis and procedure codes, and both involve "bills" in some fashion, but coders focus on the coding while billers focus on getting claims paid. Jobs in some offices, like your daughter's office, typically involve little "coding" but much "billing."

If she just wants to learn more in order to get better at her job, I don't think a coding course like Andrews is necessary or appropriate. Their billing course might be if she knows almost nothing about it. I would suggest starting with a book on medical office billing. She can also see if the chiropractic organizations offer short courses in billing for chiropractic. It is not complicated coding at all. Medicare also offers free courses.

I recommend the AAPC course - coding

[ In Reply To ..]
It leads to the CPC, and that's probably what she needs for her job. Andrews is geared for the CCS and inpatient coding. Go to AAPC.com to learn more. Costs about 2K with books, lasts only a few months.

Clarification ... - CPC, CCS Andrews Grad

[ In Reply To ..]
I just want to correct the statement that Andrews is geared for the CCS and inpatient coding! It is geared for BOTH the CPC outpatient and the CCS inpatient coding. It is a complete coding course, not one only geared for inpatient coding.

but doubt this person needs - CCS

[ In Reply To ..]
so that's why I recommended the somewhat faster route of taking the AAPC course.

I agree, but did not want the misstatement about - Andrews to confuse others.

[ In Reply To ..]
It is incorrect that Andrews '"is geared to the CCS and inpatient" coding. It is geared toward all types of coding and graduates should be well-prepared for both the CPC and CCS.

Online Medical Coding School - Dorothy

[ In Reply To ..]
I am working through the Career Step program right now and I think it is one of the best choices out there. Their Medical Billing and Coding program is AHIMA approved so I know when it comes time for testing that I have covered the correct material to get certified. I had looked at a similar program through my local community college, but it lasts two years and would have cost me $15,000!

I am also very excited about graduating from the course because Career Step has recently partnered with a company called IOD who hires Career Step graduates for remote coding jobs.

They have an offer right now where you can get a free laptop or $300 off when you sign up. Here is the link for that offer:
http://www.careerstep.com/?uid=ref36530

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