How to Enroll In the Right Medical Biller and Coder School near Athens Georgia

Once you have decided to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Athens GA, it's essential that you find the right school so that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the Country, and increasingly more options are available both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many potential students begin by looking for programs that are within driving distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they might search the internet looking for online classes and go with the cheapest one. But while cost and location are important issues when making your selection, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will go over a checklist of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding training programs 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 academic and certification options available.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Athens GA private practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to analyze 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 medical supplies or equipment used. There are several codes that are utilized 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 rely on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accurate reporting, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims may lead to services not being covered, services being paid for at a reduced rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Athens GA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in income every year, a proficient medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare organization. They can work in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Description

As vital as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Athens GA medical facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the biller and coder are the same person within a medical organization, but they can also be 2 independent professionals. After the coder has carried out his or her duty, the biller uses the codes furnished to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the appropriate entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:

• Verify health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
• Function as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for proper claim resolution
• Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Athens GA emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They can work in every type of healthcare facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Instruction and Certification

It's imperative that you get your education from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of Georgia colleges just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The fastest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which usually takes about a year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more extensive education, which for almost all schools requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely available. When your education has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you might wish to earn a professional certification. Certification is a great method for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. A few of the organizations that provide 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).

Completing an accredited medical billing and coding program, in conjunction with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new career and succeed in the rapid growing medical care field.

Online Medical Biller and Coder Schools

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding school may be a good option. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Athens GA who plan on attending school while still working or have additional responsibilities that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an additional advantage, online colleges are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom alternatives. Expenses for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's important to establish that the online school you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to verify that any online classes you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to apply yourself to this style of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Training Programs

Now that you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what training options are available, you need to begin the process of comparing colleges. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Athens GA area, you must have a prepared list of questions to analyze each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already addressed, cost and location are going to be relevant factors, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Athens home. And whether or not the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's review some of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you select are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it may help secure future employment also. Many Athens GA healthcare organizations will only hire entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only available for colleges that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical billing and coding program, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other programs. This is especially important if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will primarily be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, making sure that the college is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. Another option is to get in touch with a few Athens GA medical organizations that you may be interested in working for and ask which programs they recommend. Remember that even when the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Obtaining a job in Athens GA after graduation in your new field can be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the colleges you are considering 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 school has a sizable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the College Located? If you are anticipating commuting to class from your Athens GA home, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Naturally if you enroll in an medical billing and coding online 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 community or junior college, many require a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical coding and billing certification programs can differ in cost based on the type of credential earned and the length of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenditures also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce a portion of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Athens GA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Match your Schedule? Many students keep working while going to college and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Athens GA, make sure that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, make sure that the program you decide on offers that alternative. Also, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Enroll in a Medical Biller and Coder School

Enroll in the Best Athens GA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Picking the ideal medical billing and coding certificate or degree course is a very important first step to help assure your success in this exciting specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the fastest expanding jobs in the health sector. As a result, there are numerous trade schools, community colleges and companies that furnish instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have discussed, you can opt to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the school you choose has an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care industry. But however you choose to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and pick the right medical billing and coding program. And with the proper training, you can achieve your career goal to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Athens Georgia.