How to Find the Best Medical Coding Training Program near Atlanta Georgia

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's crucial that you find the right program to ensure that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in the Country, and a growing number of options are offered both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many potential students start by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online courses and pick the cheapest one. But while location and cost are significant issues when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. We will go over a checklist of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are assessing so that you can learn what you must know before making your decision. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Atlanta GA private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to review the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment used. There are various 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 rely on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accurate reporting, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer rules that influence coding also. Inaccurately coded claims can result in services not being covered, services being paid at a reduced rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Atlanta GA physicians and medical facilities multiple thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a reliable medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare organization. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for professional medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Functions

As essential as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Atlanta GA healthcare organizations and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the coder and biller can be the same person within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two separate specialists. Once the coder has completed his or her duty, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the appropriate organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical biller can also do any of the following:

• Check health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as an intermediate between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for proper claim resolution
• Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Biller and Coder Online Programs

If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding program might be a good option. They can be particularly appealing to those living in Atlanta GA who anticipate attending school while continuing to work or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online colleges are often cheaper than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online programs are reputable. That's why it's important to verify that any online school you choose is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online training you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Courses

Now that you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are available, you must begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Atlanta GA area, you should have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become rather formidable. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be relevant factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be driving to classes from your Atlanta home. And confirming that the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting process also. So let's review a few of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing so that you can analyze each one and make the right choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's vital that the program and school you decide on are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, 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 may help secure future employment also. Many Atlanta GA healthcare facilities will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training course. And financial aid and student loans are often only available for colleges that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before picking a medical billing and coding college, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other schools. This is particularly 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 a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. Another option is to call a few Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which programs they suggest. Keep in mind that even if the school itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job in Atlanta GA after graduation in your new field may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing 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 considerable network of healthcare employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the College Located? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Atlanta GA home, then the location of the college will be of significant importance. Naturally if you choose an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to remember is that if you attend classes at a community or junior college, most charge a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you might prefer to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Cost? Medical coding and billing certification courses can fluctuate in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the length of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenses also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to get in touch with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Atlanta GA. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online college, some of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Offered that Match your Schedule? Many students keep working while attending school and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes in 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 basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Medical Billing Class

Select the Best Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Picking the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a crucial initial step to help ensure your success in this exciting specialty of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest expanding professions in the medical industry. As a result, there are a lot of vocational schools, junior colleges and companies that furnish education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have reviewed, you can choose to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the school you select offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the healthcare field. But however you elect to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and choose the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the proper education, you can realize your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Atlanta Georgia.