Tag: medical coding school

3 Tips to Stay Focused as a Medical Billing and Coding Student

Medical Billing and Coding School



Staying focused on your studies is never easy. The struggle only gets harder if you have a day job, have a family to look after, or have other demands on your time. Whether you’re learning medical coding or medical billing in a classroom or online, here are three simple tips that can help you stay focused on your studies.
1. Eliminate distractions
If you are attending medical billing school online, the hardest part may be finding a time that you can focus on lectures. When you sit down to your coursework, help yourself focus by going into a room where you can be by yourself. If you have kids, arrange for someone else to watch them, or try to do your work while they are at school, if you can. Once by yourself, silence your phone and put it away. The last thing you need is text messages and Facebook notifications distracting you from your work.
If you’re doing your coursework in a class setting, it’s still important to minimize distractions when you study at home, and when you’re listening to lectures in class. You should put that phone away, too, and block distracting websites while you’re in class so you’re not tempted to let your attention wander.
2. Take notes
One simple way to stay focused while studying is to take notes. If you’re listening to a lecture, write down key points. If you’re reading a text book, make notes in the margins or highlight key passages. This simple task will help you retain the information much better than simply listening or reading.
3. Schedule time for studying
If you’re attending medical coding school in person, it’s easy to let yourself believe that you will study when you have a free moment. But free moments don’t just magically appear. You need to set aside time for yourself to study, the same way you set aside time for class.
If you’re taking the course online, setting aside time is even more important. Plan a schedule for when you will listen to lectures and do coursework. Try to stick to the schedule as best you can. Treat your schedule like a solid commitment, not something you can move around whenever you feel like it. This attitude will help you stay on track.

5 Things You Will Learn in Our Medical Billing and Coding School

Medical Billing and Coding School



Hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other medical companies are having trouble finding enough medical coding and billing professionals to fill their job vacancies. Medical billers and coders are in high demand, but you need to be certified to qualify for these jobs. That’s where Allied Prep comes in.
Our 16-week courses can give you all the skills you need to obtain your certification and step into an entry level medical billing or coding job. Here are five things you’ll learn about in our in-class and online programs:
1. Basic anatomy and types of medical procedures
To be successful as a medical biller or coder, you need to understand what doctors and nurses are referring to when they talk about specific medical procedures. The first step to being a great coder is understanding what the most common medical procedures and terms mean.
2. Medical codes
The most important job of a medical coder is translating the procedures written down by doctors and nurses into the appropriate medical codes. This helps keep records straight, keeps patients safe, and simplifies the billing process. Whether you’re interested in medical billing school or medical coding school, you will learn the basic codes.
3. How to find information you need
No one can memorize every single medical code. Therefore, it’s important for medical coders to be able to look up the correct codes for more obscure procedures quickly and correctly. This research skill will make your job as a medical biller or coder much easier.
4. How medical offices run
You’ve probably been to the doctor many times in your life, but you may have never been in a medical billing office. Beyond coding, our program will help you understand how medical insurance works, the claims process, and how to communicate with doctors and insurance providers. In other words, we’ll set you up with the skills you need to do the full job, not just the coding part.
5. How to pass your AAPC exam
You can’t become a medical biller or a medical coder if you don’t pass your certification exam. That’s why we make the exam a big part of the course. You’ll have multiple opportunities to take practice exams, learn the question format, and get your questions answered by experienced instructors. With so much practice, you should be fully prepared to pass your exam the first time around.
Learn more about our medical billing and medical coding programs by contacting our helpful staff today!

Medical Coding Classes: What You Will Learn

Medical Coding Classes


The demand for qualified professionals in the medical records and health information fields is quite high. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field is expected to increase by 15% between 2014 and 2024. This growth rate is astronomical compared to other professions and it is also noted by the U.S. BLS that 217,600 people will be employed in the health information industry, including medical coders and medical billers, by the year 2024.
With the industry on an upward swing, you may be thinking about taking medical coding classes to get certified by passing the AAPC exam. If that’s the case, you’ll want to know what to expect. Below, we’ve provided some information on what you’ll learn when you’re admitted into Allied Prep, a leading medical coding school in New Orleans:
Exam Preparation
In order to become a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), you’ll need to pass the AAPC exam. You do not need a professional degree to enter into this profession. During our 16 week medical coding program, you’ll be taught by an instructor that has years of real world experience in the health information industry. The AAPC exam will cover codes utilized by medical facilities, hospitals, and private practices across the country. During your coursework with Allied Prep, we’ll help you learn the codes and terminology you need to pass your exam. You’ll also be given practice tests so you feel prepared and confident when you take the real exam.
Anatomy of the Body
As part of the medical coding program, you’ll be taught human anatomy. This will enable you to bill insurance companies for not only the correct codes, but also the right body parts. Many people don’t know this, but the medical codes used are body part specific. Therefore, you’ll need to possess an in-depth understanding of the body’s function, layout, and anatomy.
Terminology for Medical Coding
Terminology is not only a huge part of the AAPC exam, it will also be a big part of your day-to-day job as a Certified Professional Coder. Medical providers use certain terms when describing illnesses, diagnoses, and courses of treatment. They will use this terminology when entering their notes and it is up to medical coders to be able to transcribe and understand what the medical professional has written and said. Medical professionals may also use certain abbreviations or shorthand. In order to bill insurance companies appropriately, medical coders will have to recognize these terms with ease.
Ready to Get Started?
The great thing about our program is that it can be completed in-person or online. You’ll have complete flexibility, yet learn the skilled you need to get an entry level position as a medical coder once you’ve completed your certification. To learn more, contact Allied Prep today! We’d be happy to tell you more about our programs, requirements, as well as how we make education affordable for our students.

What to Look for in a Medical Billing and Coding Program

Medical Billing and Coding School


Are you looking to start a new career in medical billing or medical coding? If so, you’re probably wondering what you need to do first. If you do a little research, you’ll find that in order to get a job as medical coding or billing professional, you’ll need to get certified. And, the only way to do that is by passing what is known as the AAPC exam.
Thankfully, there are many programs you can choose from and some are even taught online. However, before you invest any money into a program, we suggest you look for the following:
1. How is the Program Taught?
You’ll want to know is if the program is taught exclusively in a classroom or if you can take it online. Different learning environments can be a good thing as each student is unique. Also, consider who is teaching the program. Is it just an instructor that has general knowledge or an expert in the industry? At Allied Prep, our medical billing program and medical coding program is led by teachers who have years of practical experience in the industry students are studying. This means our students learn from actual professionals who are more than equipped to answer their questions, teach them what they need to know, and impart the knowledge they need to pass their certification exams.
2. How Long has the School Been Around?
You want to work with a school that has a long-standing reputation and that has been around for a long time. This means the school has a structure that students appreciate and is credible. You’ll also want to see what the school’s students have to say. Take a look at the school’s website for testimonials or even ask to speak with the school’s administration.
3. Compare Costs
Whenever you are about to earn a professional certification, there is an investment involved. You’ll want to know exactly how much you’ll be spending. Furthermore, you’ll want to know if the school offers financial aid options which may make your certification more affordable. For example, at Allied Prep, we offer our students a pay as you learn plan so they are not overwhelmed by the expense of their education.
4. What is the School’s Mission?
It’s one thing to help students get certified, it’s another to do everything possible to ensure they are successful. At Allied Prep, we always put our students first and have done so for over 20 years. We want them to leave our school fully prepared so they can enter into exciting new careers with confidence.

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Allied Prep

Professional Certification School


When it comes to choosing a school for medical billing, medical coding, pharmacy technician, IT support, or CPMA certification, we know there are many options to choose from. However, we believe our institution stands apart from the others for numerous reasons. Read on to learn more:
1. Our Courses are Convenient

At Allied Prep, we know that students appreciate flexibility when they are working toward their professional certifications. We also understand that no two students are the same. Some students learn better in a traditional classroom setting and others do better online where their curriculum is more self-paced. That is why we offer both in the classroom and online learning options for some of our programs.

2. Classes Led by Experts
Our classes are not just led by teachers, they are led by experts with years of relevant, real-world experience in the industries students are studying. Each of our teachers is highly skilled and prepared to give students the information they need to obtain their professional certifications in a short amount of time.
3. 20 Years of History
Allied Prep is not a new educational institution. We have been around for over 20 years and in that time, we have acquired an impeccable reputation. We’ve helped thousands of eager students step into rewarding, new careers.
4. We’ve Made Education Affordable
When students decide to further their education, a big obstacle is funding their courses. At Allied Prep, we understand this challenge and help our students overcome it by offering affordable financial aid options. Whether students want to pay for their classes with a credit card or want to pay as they learn, we are fully prepared to help them finance their education with minimal stress involved.
5. Putting Students First
Ever since we opened our doors, we have put our students first. We want every student to be successful and do all that we can to ensure that they get the education and training they need to start their new careers in little time.
If you’d like to learn more about what you can accomplish by enrolling at Allied Prep, contact our administration today! We’d be happy to discuss opportunities with you.