How to Pick the Right Medical Coding Program 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 essential that you find the appropriate program so that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the USA, and increasingly more options are available both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where does one begin? A number of future students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing tuition. Or they may surf the internet looking for online schools and select the cheapest one. But while cost and location are important factors when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will go over a list of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding courses you are evaluating so that you can learn what you need to know before making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coding Job Summary

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Atlanta GA medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to review the medical 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 used. There are several 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 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. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Atlanta GA doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in income annually, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare team. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Summary

As important 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 healthcare organizations and are practically responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the biller and coder are the same man or woman within a healthcare facility, but they can also be 2 separate specialists. When the coder has carried out her or his duty, the biller utilizes the codes furnished to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been paid by the applicable entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Create and manage Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Coding and Billing Online Instruction and Certification

It's important that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Although it is not required in most cases to earn a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). The majority of Georgia colleges only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to attain a certificate, which typically takes about 1 year to finish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for almost all programs calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. When your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you may want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the field to show potential 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, together with earning a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the fast growing medical care industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Courses

If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding school might be a good alternative. They can be especially attractive to those living in Atlanta GA who plan on attending school while still working or have additional obligations that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online schools are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. That's why it's important to establish that the online program you enroll in is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will review the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to verify that any online classes 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 disciplined enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Training Programs

Once you have a general idea just what a medical coder and biller does, along with what education options are offered, you need to start the process of evaluating schools. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Atlanta GA area, you must have a ready list of questions to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become rather daunting. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be important issues, 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 process as well. So let's take a look at several of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's important that the program and college you select are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you get will be of the highest quality, it could help with your future employment as well. A number of Atlanta GA medical organizations will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only available for colleges that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical billing and coding college, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other programs. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will mostly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the college 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 also. Another option is to check with a few Atlanta GA medical organizations that you may be interested in working for and find out which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Obtaining employment in Atlanta GA after graduating in your new field can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. Ask 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 an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a sizable network of healthcare 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 Located? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Atlanta GA home, then the location of the campus will be of significant importance. Of course if you enroll in an medical billing and coding online program, then the location of the college will not be important. One thing to keep in mind is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many require a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Cost? Medical billing and coding certification programs can differ in cost depending on the type of credential acquired and the length of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenses also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce a portion of the cost, so make sure to check with the college's financial assistance department to find out what is offered in Atlanta GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online college, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Atlanta GA, verify that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part time schedule, check that the program you choose provides that option. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family responsibilities.

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Enroll in the Right Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Enrolling in the ideal medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a crucial initial step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding field of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the most rapidly expanding careers in the medical industry. Because of this, there are a lot of vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that offer instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have covered, you can elect to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the college you pick has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare industry. But however you decide to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and select the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper education, you can realize your career goal to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Atlanta Georgia.