How to Select the Right Medical Biller and Coder Training Program near Atlanta Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's essential that you select the right program to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, and a growing number of options are available both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one start? Many potential students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and pick the cheapest one. But while location and cost are important factors when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will review a checklist of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating in order to find out what you need to know before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Education and Certification

It's imperative that you receive 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 program you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Georgia schools simply require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The quickest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which generally takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more expansive education, which for almost all colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not abundantly available. After your education has been completed, although not mandated in most states, you may want to earn a professional certification. Certification is an excellent method for those new to the profession to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed 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 billing and coding course, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the fast growing medical care field.

Medical Coding Job Functions

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Atlanta GA medical practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to analyze the treatment records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. 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 use information from sources such as physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical 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 affect coding also. Incorrectly coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a reduced 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 annually, a good medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare team. They can work in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Summary

As vital as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Atlanta GA healthcare organizations and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the biller and coder may be the same individual within a medical facility, but they can also be 2 independent professionals. When the coder has completed her or his job, the biller utilizes the codes provided to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been paid by the applicable entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles and other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk can also do any of the following:

• Check medical insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been denied
• Act as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for proper claim settlement
• Create and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for private practices, but also Atlanta GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They may work in every kind of medical facility that relies on the revenues generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Online Medical Biller and Coder Colleges

If you are searching for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online program might be an excellent alternative. They can be particularly appealing to students living in Atlanta GA who plan on going to school while still working or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an additional benefit, online programs are in many cases less expensive than the conventional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's essential to verify that the online course you select is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to verify that any online school you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Colleges

Once you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, along with what training options are offered, you need to start the process of comparing colleges. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges and vocational, technical and trade schools within the Atlanta 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 task can become rather formidable. As we have already discussed, cost and location are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Atlanta home. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must 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 ideal choice.

Is the School Accredited? It's crucial that the program and college you decide on are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it can 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 might help secure future employment also. Many Atlanta GA healthcare facilities will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial aid and student loans are frequently only available for programs that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before selecting a medical coding and billing school, find out what its reputation and ranking are among other colleges. This is especially imperative if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will primarily be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, confirming that the college is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. An alternative is to get in touch with a few Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Obtaining employment in Atlanta GA after graduation in your new profession may be difficult without the support of a job placement program. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing college has a considerable network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

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

What is the Overall Cost? Medical billing and coding training courses can differ in cost depending on the type of credential acquired and the length of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also include such items as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to get in touch with the school's financial assistance department to see what is offered in Atlanta GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online college, some of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? A number of students continue working while going to college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Atlanta GA, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time basis, verify that the school you choose offers that alternative. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

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Choose the Right Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Picking the ideal medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a critical first step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding field of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the fastest growing professions in the medical sector. As a result, there are many vocational schools, community colleges and companies that provide instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have discussed, you can elect to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the school you choose has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare field. But however you choose to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better prepared to analyze your options and pick the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical billing and coding clerk in Atlanta Georgia.