How to Choose the Right Medical Coding College near Atlanta Georgia

Once you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's essential that you select the appropriate program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the United States, and more and more options are available both online and on campus to obtain the training that you need. But just where does one begin? A number of aspiring students begin by searching for programs that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and select the cheapest one. But while location and cost are significant issues when making your choice, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will review a checklist of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are evaluating so that you can learn what you need to know prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do.

Medical Coder Job Description

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Atlanta GA medical practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies utilized. 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 depend on information from sources such as 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 private payer and government regulations that influence coding also. Improperly coded claims may result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Atlanta GA hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a reliable medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare team. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to work at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Summary

As important as the medical coder's job is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Atlanta GA healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the biller and coder are the same man or woman within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two independent professionals. Once the coder has carried out her or his job, the biller utilizes the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been paid by the appropriate organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been declined
• Act as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim settlement
• Create and control 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 may work in any kind of healthcare facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Courses

If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding course may be an excellent option. They can be especially attractive to students living in Atlanta GA who anticipate going to school while still working or have other commitments that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online colleges are frequently less expensive than the conventional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's essential to establish that any online course you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to establish that any online classes you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to apply yourself to this type of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Schools

Once you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are available, you need to begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there many training options available at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Atlanta GA area, you need to have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become somewhat daunting. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be relevant factors, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Atlanta residence. And whether or not the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting process as well. So let's review some of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can analyze each one and make the best choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's essential that the school and program you select are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the training you get will be of superior quality, it might help with your future employment as well. Many Atlanta GA medical organizations will only employ entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training program. And financial aid and student loans are frequently only available for schools that have received an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical billing and coding college, find out what its ranking and reputation are among other programs. 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 covered, confirming that the program is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. Another option is to contact some Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you might be interested in working for and find out which colleges they suggest. Remember that even when the school itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Assistance Program? Finding a job in Atlanta GA after graduating in your new field can be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement 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 healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also implies that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are intending on commuting to class from your Atlanta GA residence, then the location of the college will be of prime importance. Obviously if you select an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the school will not be a factor. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, many require a higher tuition for pupils 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 certification programs can differ in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also include such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Atlanta GA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, some of these added costs, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available 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 in the evenings or on weekends near Atlanta 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 select provides that alternative. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Medical Biller and Coder Program

Choose the Best Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to help ensure your success in this exciting sector of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the fastest growing professions in the medical industry. Because of this, there are a lot of trade schools, junior colleges and other institutions that provide instruction and training in medical coding and billing. As we have discussed, you can choose to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the school you choose offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the healthcare industry. But however you elect to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better qualified to evaluate your options and select the right medical billing and coding college. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Atlanta Georgia.