How to Find the Right Medical Biller and Coder College near Atlanta Georgia

Now that you have decided to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's essential that you select the right program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States, and a growing number of options are available both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where do you start? A number of aspiring students begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online schools and select the least expensive one. But while location and cost are relevant issues when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration also. 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 must know prior to making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do.

Medical Coder Job Summary

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Atlanta GA medical practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to examine 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 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 use information from sources such as physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology 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. Incorrectly coded claims may lead to services not being covered, services being paid at a reduced rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Atlanta GA physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in revenue annually, a good medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Duties

As essential as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Atlanta GA healthcare facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the biller and coder can be the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two individual professionals. Once the coder has performed her or his task, the biller uses the codes furnished to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After being paid by the applicable entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles or other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been declined
• Work as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for family practices, but also Atlanta GA emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They can work in any type of medical facility that depends on the incomes generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Training

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online program might be an excellent option. They can be especially attractive to those living in Atlanta GA who plan on going to school while continuing to work or have other obligations that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online programs are in many cases cheaper than the conventional classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's important to verify that the online college you enroll in is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to verify that any online training 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 apply yourself to this mode of learning, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Once you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what education options are available, you must start the process of comparing colleges. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Atlanta GA area, you need to have a prepared list of questions in order to assess each one. And when you add all of the online programs that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat formidable. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be important factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Atlanta home. And confirming that the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's take a look at some of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the program and school you pick are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it may help with your future employment as well. A number of Atlanta 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 frequently only obtainable for schools that have earned an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before choosing a medical billing and coding program, check out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other programs. This is particularly 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 covered, verifying that the college is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. An alternative is to contact several Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if the college 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 employment in Atlanta GA after graduation in your new field may be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a substantial network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Atlanta GA residence, then the location of the school will be of significant importance. Obviously if you enroll in an online medical billing and coding program, then the location of the school will not be important. One thing to remember is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, most require a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first consider those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Cost? Medical billing and coding training courses can fluctuate in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the length of training furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also consist of such items as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to contact the college's financial assistance department to find out what is available in Atlanta GA. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Match your Schedule? A number of students continue working while going to school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes during the evenings or on weekends near Atlanta GA, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part time schedule, make certain that the program you decide on provides that alternative. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Find Out More on How to Choose a Medical Billing Program

Choose the Right Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Picking the ideal medical coding and billing certificate or degree program is a crucial initial step to help assure your success in this rewarding field of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest growing occupations in the health industry. As a result, there are many trade schools, junior colleges and other institutions that provide education and training in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can decide to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the college you pick offers an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better able to analyze your options and choose the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Atlanta Georgia.