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Bryan University wants you to get the most out of your education. We offer career-focused classes in a variety of skill sets, including medical billing and coding.
Our associate in applied science degree provides hands-on training to help you learn how to accurately process medical bills and records to ensure patients are billed properly. You will act as a liaison between the healthcare provider and an insurance company.
Our degree program lasts 70 weeks, or about 16 months.
What can you do in 16 months? Would getting an associate in applied science degree be on that list?
Our medical billing and coding degree program lasts 70 weeks over seven quarters at 10 weeks per quarter.
Every week, you can set aside 90 minutes a day to study your course materials. You don’t have to attend classes regularly, and you can follow along with the assignments and course materials. So long as you keep up with assignments, you can study at your own pace during coursework.
Short-term goals are generally goals you can accomplish in less than a year. Just four months past year, barely another season, you can have a degree that gives you tools that prepare you to sit for the Certified Professional Coder exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
What else can you do in 16 months?
You can get your baby to walk steadily and begin feeding your little one solid food. Remember when your youngster was just a cuddly newborn? In just 16 months that flew right by, they’re a walking and babbling machine ready to eat cereal and even bite on some small apple pieces.
Here are the timeframes of some other tasks you do in 16 months (487 days) based on average Americans:
Imagine what else you can do with 16 months of time.
Core courses you take will reflect modern medical billing and coding concepts, enabling you to be ready to take the CPC exam.
Medical insurance and billing procedures, an introductory course that familiarizes yourself with types of medical insurance, insurance claim guidelines, and filling out insurance forms.
Four courses covering medical billing and coding, where you will learn every aspect of the profession. Your educational knowledge will cover Current Procedural Terminology, International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Clinical Modification (CM,) and official coding guidelines while learning how to apply these codes, evaluate coding, and abstract situations where you can apply your knowledge.
Bryan University’s associate of applied science degree in medical billing and coding offers a 70-week (16-month) program over seven quarters that prepares you to take the CPC exam to become a nationally recognized and certified medical coding specialist.
What are you waiting for?
Call us at 1-855-862-0755 or apply now for more information.
Medical billing and coding professionals process medical bills and records to make sure patients are billed properly and accurately.
As such, you’ll need educational training to make sure you follow the proper procedures for medical billing and coding.
Bryan University’s associate in applied science degree in medical billing and coding prepares you to learn the main concepts of this field ahead of sitting for the Certified Professional Coder exam through the AAPC.
The CPC exam tests your knowledge about the fundamentals of medical billing and coding, upon which you build the rest of your knowledge. You’ll need to know the ins and outs of various coding systems, coding software, and what you need to verify as you match what claims forms say versus what a patient should be charged.
Bryan University’s medical billing and coding courses cover Current Procedural Terminology, International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and official coding guidelines, all of which you’ll be tested in the CPC exam when you must solve practical problems related to this profession.
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), authored by the American Medical Association, is a comprehensive set of codes, descriptions, and guidelines that accurately describe procedures and services performed by licensed health care providers such as doctors, physicians, nurses, and specialists. CPT identifies each procedure or service with a five-digit code.
International Classification of Diseases (ICD) sets the standards of how healthcare agencies should classify, process, and collect information about common diseases and health conditions worldwide. For example, agencies that use the ICD can use their codes to standardize information with other healthcare systems that utilize the same standards. Maintained by the World Health Organization, the ICD-10 has been adopted in nearly 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, and several European nations. As new diseases become prevalent, the ICD is revised.
Perhaps the most important aspect of medical billing and coding comes from knowing how to bill insurance companies for services provided to the patients they cover. These standards work for private health insurance as well as government-provided health insurance like Medicaid and Medicare.
Graduate in less time with straightforward, career-focused degree programs. All you need is 70 weeks to complete an associate in applied science in medical billing and coding. Aftward, you will be prepared to sit for the CPC exam through AAPC, a nationally recognized certification organization.
Call us at 1-855-862-0755 or apply now for more information.
Bryan University’s goal is to provide career-focused courses for a wide range of programs that don’t take a lot of time to complete, including courses in allied health, solar energy, health and wellness, and business.
How long do you think it would take you to earn an MBA degree from Bryan University?
How about 50 weeks?
That’s less than a year of time.
Here are a few suggestions on how to accomplish this in so short a time and why career-focused classes for an MBA are an effective way to learn what you need to succeed.
Classes are one quarter in length, which is 10 weeks long. That’s 2-½ months, less than one season on the calendar. Just spend one spring on a small batch of MBA courses and you’re already 20 percent there!
During the summer months, do the same thing again. By the time the next spring rolls around, you’ll have an MBA degree in hand.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time within class instruction.
Can you find 90 minutes a day to devote to the instructional goals of the class? That’s what you’ll need for the amount of time to spend during formal instruction.
Consider how much time you spend on social media every day. Re-focus that time to spend on studying for your MBA courses, and you’ll have a degree in less than a year. By the time you’re done with your degree, you won’t want to go back to social media because you’ll be retooling your career with your MBA.
All of your textbooks are 100% online, meaning you don’t have to haul a bunch of hardbacks around like you would have in high school. Even better, all you need is to pay one fee for all of your textbooks rather than paying for books individually.
All of your texts are available through a laptop, tablet computer, or even a smartphone. Feel like reading a textbook on your commute to work? That’s a possibility. Consider converting your electronic textbooks to an audio format using specialized software or apps so you can listen to books while you’re driving.
Are you ready to dive deeper into a vibrant career with an MBA? Earn an MBA in just 50 weeks through Bryan University.
Call us at 1-855-862-0755 or apply now for more information.
Bryan University wants you to have the knowledge you need to sit for the Certified Professional Coder exam through AAPC. Our associate in applied science degree in medical billing and coding prepares you for that exam through a nationally recognized organization that employers use for hiring people with this specialty.
Bryan University will answer frequently asked questions about our program in today’s blog.
Bryan University’s program takes 70 weeks over seven 10-week quarters for you to earn a degree. That’s less than a year and a half for an associate’s degree that you can learn at your own pace within program guidelines.
You will need to earn a total of 92.5 quarter-credit hours among 21 courses. Once you graduate, you will have the knowledge and skills to sit for a nationally recognized certification exam.
Among your 21 courses, you will take:
Medical Insurance & Billing Procedures is a course designed to teach you how to complete forms for various types of health insurance, understand insurance claim guidelines, and know the back-and-forth aspects of insurance claims. You’ll also get to know the terminology common to all insurance claims.
Four complete courses in medical billing and coding. These four courses get more advanced with each one you pass.
The first one teaches you how to operate and navigate the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and Clinical Modification (CM) codes.
The second course covers those first two coding systems plus Current Procedural Terminology and official coding guidelines.
The third course teaches you how to apply your knowledge to abstract situations where you might put your problem-solving skills to use.
The fourth course expands on even more abstract concepts and practical situations you’ll need to understand.
Capstone course. The capstone course acts as a summary of your entire course of study ahead of an externship in medical billing and coding. You’ll apply your knowledge of medical billing and coding, anatomy, and medical reimbursement.
Interested in earning a medical billing and coding degree in less than a year and a half? Bryan University can give you the tools you need to make it happen.
Call us at 1-855-862-0755 or apply now for more information.
AHM300 Healthcare Systems and Policy – 4.5 Credit Hours
The aim of this survey course in health policy is to enable students to think systematically about the determinants of health, the problems of the healthcare system and the various strategies for addressing these matters. Our discussions will touch on some broad topics, including our expectations of medical care and the appropriate role for government in the healthcare system. The course emphasizes contemporary topics that are important in the health policy debates of virtually all industrialized nations and provides cross-national comparisons of these healthcare systems. At the end of the course students will be able to describe the health care systems of most industrialized nations and compare and contrast these systems with the current health care system in the United States.
AHM310 Healthcare Information Systems Management – 4.5 Credit Hours
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the ability to define operational and strategic objectives for health services management information systems and to guide the design of systems to meet those objectives. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the conceptualization of variables to be included in such systems; the design of systems (including an understanding of the hardware, software and communication links); and the proper interpretation and utilization of processed information for program management purposes. Software for employee management will be addressed; and software for clinical data collection, storage and patient management (including the maintenance of confidentiality) will also be addressed.
AHM320 Legal/Ethical/Social Issues in Healthcare – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course focuses on legal and ethical concepts, principles of ethics and law and use in resolving ethical conflicts and dilemmas in health care. Scope of practice, informed consent, employee and patient rights and responsibilities, patient abuse, and the influence of finance and corporate culture will be explored. Sample cases will be analyzed.
AHM330 Healthcare Management – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course focuses on planning, organizing, decision-making, staffing, leading or directing, communication and motivating health care personnel. Evolving trends in management, classic management theories, budget preparation and justification, training design and labor union contracts are explored.
AHM340 Principles of Healthcare Marketing – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course involves analysis, evaluation, and implementation of marketing strategies within health care and managed-care environments. Designed to develop skills in segmenting customer and medical markets, brand products and services, enhance a communication strategy to the consumer, and develop pricing approaches. Methods and models of marketing fundamentals will be introduced.
AHM350 Quality Management in Healthcare – 4.5 Credit Hours
Quality management is a complex process, especially in healthcare. Managers in today’s environment need more than just an understanding of the historical concepts of quality. They need to understand how to achieve quality within the structure and relationships of the complex system of a healthcare organization.
AHM400 Healthcare Finance – 4.5 Credit Hours
Applications of modern hospital and healthcare organization financial management and decision-making are explored to prepare students for executive roles in healthcare settings. Financial management techniques used in budget preparation, investment alternatives, financial forecasting, and capital structures are presented with a focus on healthcare organizations.
AHM410 Health Education and Promotion – 4.5 Credit Hours
This class provides the best overall introduction to the growing profession of Health Promotion and Education by covering the roles and responsibilities of health educators, the settings where health educators are employed, and the ethics of the profession. In addition to covering the history of health, health care, and health education, the book provides a preview of what the future may hold for health promotion and education professionals.
AHM420 Healthcare Research – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course focuses on reading and conducting research in health and human performance. Research approaches and procedures will be explored. Examples of various research methods and techniques will be discussed.
AHM430 Case and Outcomes Management – 4.5 Credit Hours
This Allied Health Management course focuses on case and outcomes management application to clinical practice. The case management and outcomes management processes, barriers, utilization review, legal and financial aspects of each and evidence-based healthcare will be explored.
AHM440 Allied Health Capstone Project – 4.5 Credit Hours
This capstone project is undertaken by Allied Health Management students when they have completed the core courses in the program provides an opportunity for the student to complete the outcomes management project proposal. Students will also design and participate in a collaborative service learning experience in a community, ambulatory, home or health care setting. Students will complete the portfolio of their work from core courses and revise as needed to create an impressive final portfolio that can be used.
AP101 Anatomy and Physiology – 4.5 credits
This course is a study of the structure and function of several systems of the human body, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, the lymphatic and immune systems. In addition, structural units, fluids and electrolytes, acid-base balance, as well as blood and circulation are discussed.
AP105 Anatomy and Physiology – 4.5 credits
This course is a study of the structure and function of several systems of the human body. Topics covered include the respiratory system, the nervous system, the urinary system, the female and male reproductive systems, human development and genetics, the digestive system, concepts of metabolic function and nutrition, the endocrine system and special sense.
MA100 Medical Terminology – 4.5 Credit Hours
Introduction in building and utilizing a medical vocabulary through the use of prefixes, suffixes, word roots and combining forms/vowels. Emphasis is on correct spelling, pronunciation and the correct definitions of many medical terms. This course will cover 5 body systems including the integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, and blood system.
MA110 Anatomy and Physiology – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is a study of several systems of the human body. Beginning with the organization of the body, and then moving to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems. The course is designed to enable the student to understand the health problems of the patients as they relate to the various systems.
MA115 Anatomy and Physiology – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is a study of several systems of the human body. Beginning with the lymphatic and immune systems, the respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems, will be covered. Nutrition and metabolism, fluids and electrolytes, acid-base balance, and growth and development will also be discussed. The course is designed to enable the student to understand the health problems of the patients as they relate to the various systems.
MA120 Medical Law and Ethics – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course addresses medical ethics and laws that pertain to the medical field. The course is designed to enable the student to understand medical practice acts, confidentiality, legal responsibilities of the health professional, liability and the civic duties of the health professional.
MA150 Basic Insurance – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is designed to teach the student how to complete forms for various types of medical health insurance. The course will familiarize the student with the history of health insurance in America, the importance of accurate completion of claims, and the terminology that is common to all insurance carriers. Prerequisite(s): MA100 Medical Terminology; MA110 Anatomy and Physiology or AP101 Anatomy and Physiology; MA115 Anatomy and Physiology or AP105 Anatomy and Physiology.
MA160 Medical Keyboarding/Transcription – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is designed to prepare the student to format and key specialized medical documents. History and Physicals, Discharge Summaries, Operative Reports, Chart Notes, and short scientific articles are examples of the documents students will learn to produce. Prerequisite: MA100 Medical Terminology
MA180 Medical Office Administration – 4.5 Credit Hours
Medical Office Administration – This course provides students with a basic understanding of their duties and responsibilities in the administrative front office. It develops skills in communication, instruction, filing, financial administration, duties as a receptionist, processing of mail, care of the facilities and medical equipment. It also includes developing a professional image, good interpersonal relationships with other office personnel and the right attitude for the professional medical office.
MA190 Medical Office Communications – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course presents methods in both written and oral communications as they relate to the medical office. The course emphasizes writing and revising effective business correspondence, speaking effectively, and developing useful organizational skills for written and oral business presentations. Prerequisite: MA100 Medical Terminology
MA212 Coding & Billing – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course introduces students to the health profession with specific emphasis in Medical Coding and Billing. Students will learn fundamental skills while developing an understanding of the importance of each role within various healthcare settings. Advanced theory and practices of commercial medical insurance, insurance terminology, CPT and ICD-10 coding systems, billing and collections will be discussed. Government programs, federal regulations and the impact of HIPAA regulations will be explored. Prerequisite(s): MA100 Medical Terminology; MA110 Anatomy and Physiology or AP101 Anatomy and Physiology; MA115 Anatomy and Physiology or AP105 Anatomy and Physiology.
MA213 Medical Office Assistant Certification Preparation – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is designed to give the student a comprehensive approach to reviewing the key competencies of a medical assisting program to prepare the student to take the American Medical Technologist’s CMAS certification exam. The course will include basic theory review, self evaluation and answers and rationales. Prerequisite(s): MA100 Medical Terminology; MA110 Anatomy and Physiology or AP101 Anatomy and Physiology; MA115 Anatomy and Physiology or AP105 Anatomy and Physiology.
MA230 Electronic Medical Records Management – 4.5 Credit Hours
and Physiology.
MA298 Externship – 4.5 Credit Hours
Students will be assigned to a physician’s office, clinic or other healthcare setting where they will utilize the essential skills they have developed throughout their program. This experience is designed to provide students with actual on-the-job learning activities in the medical back office environment under the direct supervision of local healthcare professionals. Prerequisite: Must have a 2.0 cGPA in all completed core courses.
MA299 Medical Assistant Externship – 4.5 Credit Hours
Students will be assigned to a physician’s office, clinic or other healthcare setting where they will utilize the essential skills they have developed throughout their program. This experience is designed to provide students with actual on-the-job learning activities in the medical back office environment under the direct supervision of local healthcare professionals. Prerequisite(s): Must have a 2.0 cGPA in all completed core courses.
MAA250 Pathophysiology – 4.5 Credit Hours
Pathophysiology is a study of how normal physiology processes are altered by disease. This course will include causes of disease, neoplasms, congenital diseases, urinary system diseases, reproductive system diseases, digestive system diseases, respiratory system diseases, circulatory system diseases, nervous system diseases, endocrine system diseases, musculoskeletal disease, skin, eye, ear and childhood diseases, pain management and holistic health. Prerequisite(s): MA100 Medical Terminology; MA110 Anatomy and Physiology or AP101 Anatomy and Physiology; MA115 Anatomy and Physiology or AP105 Anatomy and Physiology.
MAA260 Pharmacology – 4.5 credit hours
The student will discuss the various types of drugs and become familiar with the forms by which medications are administered. The student will learn to identify the most common medications by classification and the body system that they are most commonly used for. Prerequisite(s): MA100 Medical Terminology; MA110 Anatomy and Physiology or AP101 Anatomy and Physiology; MA115 Anatomy and Physiology or AP105 Anatomy and Physiology.
MAA270 Clinical – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is designed to instruct Medical Assisting students in routine procedures for the physical exam. Proficiency will be developed in taking vital signs, including blood pressure readings, temperature, pulse and respiration. Students will learn and practice draping for physical exams, aseptic techniques, measurements and taking the medical history. Universal precautions will be practiced at all times. This course is also designed to instruct Medical Assisting students in assisting with minor surgical procedures, performing EKGs, administration of injections using subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, and z-tract techniques. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification will be provided. Office emergencies will be discussed. Students will perform procedures according to Procedure Competency assigned by Instructor. Prerequisite(s): Must have a 2.0 cGPA in all completed core courses.
MAA280 Laboratory – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is designed to provide advanced skills for the medical assistant. Lecture and laboratory class will acquaint the student with various pathological agents, which cause disease in humans. Diagnostic testing will include culturing and staining for identification, blood testing for antigens, antibodies and glucose, staining of white blood cells for differentiation counts, performance of hematocrit and hemoglobin lab tests. Urine will be tested and stained for microscopic sediments. The instructor will assign each student a pathogenic agent to prepare a report for the class. Prerequisite(s): Must have a 2.0 cGPA in all completed core courses.
MBC125 – Medical Insurance & Billing Procedures – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course is designed to teach the student how to complete forms for various types of medical health insurance, insurance claim guidelines, and adjudication of claims. The course will familiarize the student with the importance of accurate completion of claims and the terminology that is common to all insurance carriers. Prerequisite(s): MA100 Medical Terminology; AP101 Anatomy and Physiology; AP105 Anatomy and Physiology
MBC150 – Medical Billing and Coding I – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of medical coding. It details how to operate today’s common coding systems, including International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and Clinical Modification (CM) codes.
MBC170 – Medical Billing and Coding II – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of medical coding. It details how to operate today’s common coding systems, including Current Procedural Terminology, International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Clinical Modification (CM,) and official coding guidelines. Prerequisite(s): MBC150 Medical Billing & Coding I.
MBC200 – Medical Billing and Coding III – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course includes material covering Evaluation and Management of Services and Anatomical Coding and Procedural Coding. This course builds upon the Fundamentals of Coding and presents abstract situations to which the student can apply their knowledge. This course requires the student to assign ICD diagnosis codes as well as CPT codes. Prerequisite(s): MBC150 Medical Billing & Coding I and MBC170 Medical Billing & Coding II.
MBC250 – Medical Billing & Coding IV – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course covers the codes required to bill insurance companies for services. The material covered is Evaluation and Management of Services, Anatomical Coding and Procedural Coding. This course builds upon the Fundamentals of Coding and presents abstract situations to which the student can apply their knowledge. Prerequisite(s): MBC150 Medical Billing & Coding I, MBC170 Medical Billing & Coding II, and MBC200 Medical Billing & Coding III.
MBC290 – Capstone – 4.5 Credit Hours
This course provides a review of medical coding processes and procedures, including practice test activities and simulated certification examinations. Students are presented with coding case practices and are expected to apply their knowledge of procedural and anatomical coding in an abstract manner. This course will review anatomical terminology and reimbursement issues. It will also review Current Procedural Terminology, International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Clinical Modification (CM), ICD Official Coding Guidelines and CMS Healthcare Common Procedural Coding system. Prerequisite(s): MBC150 Medical Billing & Coding I, MBC170 Medical Billing & Coding II, MBC200 Medical Billing & Coding III, and MBC250 Medical Billing & Coding IV.
MBC299 – Externship – 2.5 Credit Hours
Students will be assigned to a healthcare setting where they will utilize the essential skills they have developed throughout their program. This experience is designed to provide students with actual on-the-job learning activities in the medical billing and coding environment under the direct supervision of local healthcare professionals. Prerequisite: Must have a 2.0 GPA in all completed core courses.
MOA299 Externship – 4.5 Credit Hours
Students will be assigned to a physician’s office, clinic or other healthcare setting where they will utilize the essential skills they have developed throughout their program. This experience is designed to provide students with actual on-the-job learning activities in the medical front office environment under the direct supervision of local healthcare professionals. Prerequisite: Must have a 2.0 cGPA in all completed core courses.
Find out more about our School of Allied Health through related posts on our website!
Ready to get started? Apply now!
Being an adult student isn’t always easy, and with many hats to wear you may find yourself placing your “student” hat on the back burner. As you get back into your routine at Bryan University, we want to help you stay energized and reach your career goals.
It’s important to stay energized not only physically, but mentally. Here are five tips to help you put this into practice.
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Now, “exercise regularly” doesn’t mean you have to do 5 a.m. intensive interval training every morning of the week. Find an exercise routine that works for you and your schedule; it doesn’t have to be complicated. According to the Mayo Clinic, brisk walking has quite a few benefits, including:
– Improving your balance and coordination.
When you have a break in between your courses or a lunch hour at work, go on a quick walk to improve your physical health and mental health every day!
Like exercise, stretching also has positive effects on your mental health. As a student, it’s normal to deal with stress at some point in your education. Yoga stretches have been proven to improve your stress response. And according to a Harvard Mental Health Letter, when a study was conducted on a group of emotionally distressed participants who practiced yoga stretches regularly for three months, researchers saw their depression scores improve by 50 percent, anxiety scores by 30 percent and overall well-being scores by 65 percent.
This year, if you find yourself in a stressful period of time as you work toward your career goals, take a few moments every night before bed or every morning when you wake up to stretch.
Make your “all-nighters” a thing of the past! It’s a new year and it’s time to get to bed early. Sleep is important to both your mental and physical health.
“Sleep helps your brain work properly. While you’re sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It’s forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information… [It] plays an important role in your physical health. For example, sleep is involved in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels,” stated the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
As you spend this year working to achieve your career goals, you may try to convince yourself you don’t have time for any breaks. If this is the case, you may be hurting yourself instead of helping. The Scientific American published an article focusing on the benefit of taking regular breaks throughout your day.
“Downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life,” the article stated.
The importance of mental breaks goes beyond focusing on your work, it’s crucial to your brain’s ability to function at its full potential.
Don’t let the tasks you must accomplish float around aimlessly in your mind and overwhelm you from the moment you open your eyes in the morning. Be realistic about what you can accomplish during the day and make a list. NPR noted in an article that lists enable you to wrap your head around overwhelming tasks and lead to action. If you want your “action” this year to be reaching your career goals, then a list can help you get there.
Related Post: What Are the Best Ways to Study for Online Classes?
At Bryan University we are here for you. As you make this new year the year you reach your career goals, we will be there every step along the way. Incorporate these five easy steps into your everyday life to stay energized and on track with your education. If you’re interested in getting your education started call us !
For more information about Bryan University graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed our programs, transferability of credits and other important information, please visit our website.
Medical assistants play a vital role in allied health. They’re often the first face a patient sees as they enter a doctor’s office or medical clinic. Without medical assistants, the American healthcare system would fall apart. Are you interested in this vibrant, entry-level career? Today’s blog from Bryan University discusses simple things you can do to enhance your medical assistant career.
Related Post: Tools You Need for Daily Duties as a Medical Assistant
Working relationships are crucial for medical assistants. Start talking to nurses, doctors, medical professionals, and other office staff where you work. You can learn so much from them, such as how to perform your job better as well as tips and tricks for how to run the office. Professional relationships enhance your career by developing connections for future promotions and career moves.
Medical assistants help doctors with various aspects of patient care, such as taking vital signs, dressing or undressing wounds, and talking to patients about their current state of health. Occasionally, you may also help administer medical tests at the direction of a doctor. Consider shadowing the doctors and nurses at your office or clinic. You can learn a lot by watching and then asking questions later. Outstanding medical professionals can show you the nuances of patient care and the processes of a visit to the doctor’s office.
If you remember one thing about being a medical assistant, it’s that attitude is everything. Patients come into your office nervous, scared, and possibly stressed about a potential diagnosis. A smiling face, a sunny disposition, and a relaxed attitude can go a long way to making patients feel welcome. Less stress and anxiety can foster better healing outcomes, and medical assistants form a part of that puzzle. Someone who displays a good attitude makes a fantastic impression on patients and office staff.
Prepare well for your day at the office. Get plenty of rest, take care of your health, and be ready to work once you step in the door. Preparation goes a long way towards having an easier shift as a medical assistant. Rely on your skills, tools, and routine to optimize efficiency while giving yourself enough time to take care of your daily tasks.
Related Post: Why Medical Assistants Are the Most Important People in Allied Health
Bryan University offers 100% online classes for becoming a medical assistant. If you want to enter a vibrant field, a medical assistant diploma or associate of applied science degree provides a way to kickstart your career in allied health. Call Bryan University toll-free at 1-855-862-0755 or enroll now to discover more information!
Fitness represents one important aspect of overall health and wellness, which is why many people rely on personal trainers to help them achieve fitness goals. As such, personal trainers lead by example when it comes to helping other people become their ideal selves. In today’s blog from Bryan University, we talk about some nutritional tips for personal trainers during winter months to keep your body in top shape while helping others get the exercise they need.
Related Post: Personal Fitness Trainer: A Career That’s Good for the Brain & the Body
Wintertime means cold and flu season, which is why it’s vitally important for personal trainers to boost their immune system. Boosting your own immune system helps prevent you from catching diseases, but it also makes your clients less likely to catch a disease from you. Information from Harvard University shows that no single food offers special protection for your immune system. However, several nutrients are vital to the health, growth, and function of immune cells in your body.
Look for foods or supplements containing:
You get colder in the wintertime. Complex carbohydrates give you plenty of energy to get through darker, chillier months. But they also help add fat cells to your body. Fat cells form a natural insulating layer against your skin, and they create a storage area for glucose to use later when you need extra energy and carbs are scarce.
Look for complex carbohydrates from:
Sunlight is nature’s way of supplying your body with vitamin D, a nutrient important to your immune system. When sunlight hits your skin, a layer of cholesterol absorbs UV-B radiation and converts it to vitamin D3. The amount of sunlight you receive decreases in the wintertime, unless you live in tropical climates or the southern United States (Texas, Florida, SoCal). Get some sunlight in the afternoon. Sit or stand by a window if you can’t make it outside.
Humans tend to overeat if they don’t sleep well. Part of the reason is that sleep deprivation affects the body’s transmission of two neurotransmitters, ghrelin and leptin, that tell your body when to eat. People with sleep deprivation are drawn to more high-calorie foods versus those who get enough sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for optimal results. That way, your body is ready to kick into high gear in the morning when you start your personal trainer routine.
Your kidneys and lungs work harder when it’s cold. Both organs may lose more water in the winter, and you may not realize you could be dehydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Consider taking one sip of water every 15 minutes if you’re not engaged in some sort of exercise. Take your water consumption up a notch when you are working out or working with clients as a personal trainer.
Related Post: The Benefits of Certification for Personal Trainers
Bryan University offers 100% online classes for personal training ahead of earning your certification. If you want to enter a vibrant field, consider our School of Health and Wellness. Call Bryan University toll-free at 1-855-862-0755 or enroll now to find out more!
Bryan University offers career-focused courses in six major fields, including allied health. Medical billing and coding represents one vibrant career track for people interested in working in the healthcare industry. In today’s blog from Bryan University, we discuss the skills you need for a successful medical billing and coding career.
Related Post: What You Can Do With a Medical Billing and Coding Degree
Medical billers and coders must pay attention to details at all times. Small, careless errors can lead to large mistakes with a patient’s care or finances. You’ll also need to maintain patient privacy. Training and certification in medical billing and coding teach you how to notice every detail to eliminate crucial mistakes.
As with most things in our modern society, technology evolves and changes over time. The same is true with medical billing and coding. You’ll need to become proficient with document and billing software, Microsoft Office, security and privacy software, and ICD-10 standards.
Related Post: Your Healthcare Career – Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billing and coding requires excellent time management and organizational skills. You have to juggle multiple patient records, healthcare providers, and health insurance companies. On top of that, you must know how to use your technological tools proficiently. With so many moving parts, you need to develop a system that works best to keep track of your daily tasks. Project management software might be a great option.
Medical billing and coding professionals need to speak two languages: health and finance. You bridge the gap between accounting and medicine as a liaison between a healthcare provider and health insurance companies. Both sides of the spectrum want to deliver the best and most efficient care for patients. Throughout your career, you’ll need to speak to doctors, nurses, insurance adjusters, and possibly patients. You must learn to speak compassionately, accurately, and diplomatically.
Medicine and insurance use different terminology. Part of your education and certification as a medical billing and coding specialist will cover terminology used in both fields. At Bryan University, your education will cover four main aspects of medical billing and coding such as medical terminology, classification of diseases, insurance fundamentals, and financial vocabulary.
Related Post: Program Highlights of Medical Billing and Coding
Bryan University’s medical billing and coding program prepares you for a vibrant career, and you’ll be ready to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders. Call Bryan University toll-free at 1-855-862-0755 or enroll now to find out more about this field!
Medical billing and coding specialists have a unique place in allied health. They meld medical, financial, and insurance fields to make sure patients are billed properly for the services related to their care. In today’s blog from Bryan University, we look at the tools every medical billing and coding specialist must have to perform their regular tasks.
Related Post: Your Healthcare Career – Medical Billing and Coding
The most prominent tool you’ll need as a medical billing and coding specialist is the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition). The ICD-10 receives updates every year.
Because you work with private information, you must have a secure computer connection. Consider getting antivirus protection to scan for any viruses or corrupt files on your computer that could compromise your computer’s security. Make sure you don’t open any suspicious emails or go to sites flagged as unsecure or dangerous to your computer.
Related Post: What You Can Do With a Medical Billing and Coding Degree
As with many aspects of allied health, software helps make your job easier. Medical billing and coding software compiles information from a healthcare provider, patient, and health insurance company. Sometimes, the health insurance company provides software for you to use. Other times, a healthcare provider has software to use. Or you could use a computer program of your choice. Make sure the chosen software has a secure API, so that all of the variant programs talk to each other seamlessly. Make sure your software keeps track of claims status.
You can’t input billing information properly without claim forms. Whether you see a PDF of the form or have an electronic format, claim forms must be filled out accurately. Then you have to determine if the form is correct before inputting the information. This is where problem-solving comes into play as a medical billing and coding specialist because you know what to look for on each claim form in case there are any problems.
Financial officers and billing managers love reports. You’ll need to compile reports on claims, payments, adjustments, and aging reports over time. Reports allow health insurance companies and healthcare providers to make financial decisions.
Clearinghouse software for medical billing and coding keeps track of every claim you oversee. Why do you need a clearinghouse? Clearinghouses track every possible health insurance company you work with. Each insurance company has a proprietary program and system, and a clearinghouse manages these things.
Related Post: Program Highlights of Medical Billing and Coding
Interested in a medical billing and coding specialist career? Call Bryan University toll-free at 1-855-862-0755 or enroll now to find out more!
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