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

Once 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 crucial that you select the appropriate program so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the United States, and more and more options are offered both online and on campus to receive the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many aspiring students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may search the internet looking for online schools and go with the cheapest one. But while cost and location are important factors when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. We will cover a list of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating so that you can find out what you must know prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Education and Certification

It's imperative that you obtain your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Although it is not required in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Georgia colleges just require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The quickest way to becoming either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to attain a certificate, which normally takes about 1 year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for most schools calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely offered. When your education has been concluded, although not mandated in most states, you may want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great method for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. Some of the organizations that make available 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 coding and billing course, in conjunction with earning a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing healthcare field.

Medical Coding Job Description

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Atlanta GA private 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 can be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies used. There are various 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 including 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 functioning knowledge of all private payer and government rules that affect coding as well. Improperly coded claims may lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can literally cost Atlanta GA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in earnings every year, a good medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare organization. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Duties

As vital as the medical coder's role is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Atlanta GA healthcare facilities and are practically responsible for keeping them in business. Frequently the coder and biller are the same person within a medical facility, but they can also be two individual professionals. After the coder has carried out her or his task, the biller uses the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical biller might also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Check on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as an intermediate between the medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Generate and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Billing and Coding Online Courses

If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online school may be an excellent option. They can be especially appealing to students living in Atlanta GA who anticipate going to school while still working or have other responsibilities that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online colleges are frequently cheaper than the conventional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's important to confirm that the online program you choose is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to devote yourself to this type of learning, then acquiring your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Schools

Now that 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 evaluating schools. But since there many training options available at community colleges and technical, trade and vocational schools within the Atlanta GA area, you must 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 project can become somewhat formidable. As we have already covered, cost and location are going to be significant factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Atlanta residence. And verifying that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's review a few of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering so that you can analyze each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the program and college 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 may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online 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 healthcare facilities will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial assistance and student loans are often only obtainable for programs that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before picking a medical coding and billing program, check out what its ranking and reputation are among other programs. This is particularly important if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your training. As we have covered, confirming that the program 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 as well. An alternative is to check with some Atlanta GA medical organizations that you may have an interest in working for and find out which colleges they suggest. Keep in mind that even when the school itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Obtaining employment in Atlanta GA after graduating in your new profession can be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing college has a significant network of healthcare employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are anticipating commuting to class from your Atlanta GA home, then the location of the school will be of significant importance. Naturally if you select an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the college will not be a factor. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical billing and coding training programs can differ in cost based on the type of credential obtained and the length of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also include such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered 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? 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, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, confirm that the college you choose provides that option. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Learn How to Select a Billing and Coding Class

Choose the Right Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Choosing the ideal medical coding and billing degree or certificate course is a critical initial step to help ensure your success in this exciting sector of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the fastest expanding jobs in the medical sector. Because of this, there are many trade schools, junior colleges and companies that offer training and instruction in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can opt to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also important that the college you pick has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care community. 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 assess your options and choose the ideal medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your career objective to become a medical billing and coding clerk in Atlanta Georgia.