How to Select the Right Medical Billing Program near Athens Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Athens GA, it's crucial that you find the right program so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States, and more and more options are offered both on campus and online to obtain the training that you need. But just where do you start? A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they may search the internet looking for online schools and pick the least expensive one. But while cost and location are significant issues when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will review a checklist of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating in order to learn what you need to know before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the training and certification options offered.

Medical Coder Job Summary

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Athens GA medical practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to examine the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies used. There are multiple codes that are used in this conversion process, including the following:

• CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology).
• ICD codes (International Classification of Diseases).
• HCPCS codes (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding).

Medical coders use information from sources including physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding as well. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being covered, services being paid at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Athens GA doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in income annually, a proficient medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in any type of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Duties

As crucial as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Athens GA healthcare facilities and are practically responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder are the same man or woman within a medical facility, but they can also be 2 independent specialists. Once the coder has performed her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the appropriate organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk can also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been denied
• Work as an intermediary between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Athens GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They may practice in any kind of healthcare facility that relies on the incomes generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Coder and Biller Online Training and Certification

It's imperative that you get your education from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in many cases to earn a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Georgia programs only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to earn a certificate, which normally takes about 1 year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more comprehensive education, which for the majority of colleges calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not abundantly available. When your education has been concluded, although not required in the majority of states, you may desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great method for those new to the field to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. A few of the organizations that offer certifications are:

• American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
• Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC).
• The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS).
• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Graduating from an accredited medical coding and billing course, together with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing medical care industry.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Training

If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online college might be a great option. They can be particularly attractive to those living in Athens GA who anticipate going to school while still working or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online programs are often less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's imperative to establish that any online school you choose is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to check that any online classes you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this style of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Colleges

Now that you have a general idea just what a medical biller and coder does, along with what training options are offered, you need to start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Athens GA area, you should have a prepared list of questions in order to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already discussed, location and cost are going to be significant factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Athens home. And whether or not the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at some of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you select are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you get will be of superior quality, it might help with your future employment also. A number of Athens GA medical facilities will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only available for programs that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical coding and billing school, find out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other colleges. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will basically be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, making sure that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. An alternative is to get in touch with several Athens GA medical organizations that you might be interested in working for and ask which colleges they suggest. Bear in mind that even when the school itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Finding employment in Athens GA after graduating in your new profession may be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the billing and coding college has a substantial network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also implies that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School's Location? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Athens GA residence, then the location of the program will be of prime importance. Of course if you enroll in an online medical billing and coding program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first research those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Expense? Medical coding and billing training courses can vary in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Costs also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to check with the college's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Athens GA. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? A number of students continue working while going to school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes during the evenings or on weekends near Athens GA, make sure that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check that the program you choose provides that option. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.

Learn How to Enroll in a Medical Biller and Coder Program

Enroll in the Best Athens GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Choosing the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a crucial initial step to help guarantee your success in this exciting field of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the fastest growing jobs in the health sector. Because of this, there are many vocational schools, community colleges and companies that provide training and instruction in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can opt to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the school you pick offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care field. But however you decide to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to evaluate your options and choose the right medical billing and coding college. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your career goal to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Athens Georgia.