How to Pick the Best Medical Coding College near Atlanta Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's crucial that you choose the appropriate program to ensure that you receive the necessary education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States, and increasingly more options are available both online and on campus to receive the training that you need. But just where do you begin? A number of future students start by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online schools and select the cheapest one. But while location and cost are relevant factors when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will review a checklist of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are evaluating in order to learn what you need to know before making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Coder Job Description

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Atlanta GA private practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to review the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies used. There are multiple 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 depend on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all government and private payer rules that influence coding also. Inaccurately coded claims may lead to services not being paid for, services being paid for at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Atlanta GA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in income each year, a good medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in any type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Functions

As vital as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Atlanta GA medical facilities and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Often the coder and biller are the same individual within a medical facility, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. After the coder has carried out her or his duty, the biller uses the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional can also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been denied
• Act as an intermediate between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Create and manage Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Atlanta GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They can practice in every kind of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Education and Certification

It's essential that you obtain your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Georgia programs simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The quickest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which usually takes about one year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for almost all schools requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not abundantly offered. When your training has been concluded, although not mandated in most states, you may wish to earn a professional certification. Certification is an excellent way for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but committed 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 course, in conjunction with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing medical care field.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Training

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online course may be an excellent option. They can be especially appealing to students living in Atlanta GA who plan on attending school while still working or have additional commitments that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online colleges are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's imperative to establish that any online school you select is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to confirm that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this type of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Once you have a general idea just what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what training options are available, you need to start the process of evaluating colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges and vocational, technical and trade schools within the Atlanta GA area, you should have a ready list of questions to assess each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become rather daunting. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be significant factors, especially if you have a modest budget and will be driving to classes from your Atlanta residence. And confirming that the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's review some of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each one and make the right choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the school and program you select are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the training you get will be of superior quality, it could help secure future employment as well. Many Atlanta GA healthcare organizations will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding educational course. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only offered for schools that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before enrolling in a medical coding and billing program, check out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have covered, verifying that the school is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. Another option is to contact several Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which colleges they recommend. Remember that even if the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Placement Program? Obtaining employment in Atlanta GA after graduating in your new field can be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high 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 school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School's Location? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Atlanta GA residence, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Of course if you choose an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be important. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Cost? Medical billing and coding training programs can differ in cost based on the type of credential earned and the length of training furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to get in touch with the college's financial assistance department to find out what is offered in Atlanta GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? A number of students continue working while attending school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Atlanta GA, make sure that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part time basis, verify that the school you select offers that alternative. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Enroll in a Medical Billing Program

Choose the Right Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Choosing the right medical coding and billing degree or certificate program is a very important first step to help assure your success in this rewarding field of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the fastest expanding occupations in the medical sector. As a result, there are a lot of vocational schools, community colleges and companies that provide training and education in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the school you select has an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. But however you choose to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better able to assess your options and choose the right medical billing and coding program. And with the proper training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Atlanta Georgia.