How to Choose the Best Medical Billing and Coding Training Classes 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 important that you choose the appropriate school so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is among the fastest growing sectors in the United States, and more and more options are available both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where do you begin? A number of aspiring students start by looking for programs that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online schools and pick the cheapest one. But while location and cost are significant factors when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. We will cover a checklist of questions that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are assessing in order to find out what you must know before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coder Job Functions

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Atlanta GA medical practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to examine the medical 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 utilized. 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 depend on information from sources such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer rules that affect coding also. Incorrectly coded claims can result in services not being covered, services being paid at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Atlanta GA physicians and medical facilities many thousands of dollars in income every year, a proficient medical coder is a vital asset to the healthcare team. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Description

As crucial as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Atlanta GA healthcare organizations and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the biller and coder are the same individual within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two individual specialists. When the coder has carried out his or her job, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles and additional out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

• Verify health insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim resolution
• Produce and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Atlanta GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may practice in every type of medical facility that relies on the revenues generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Instruction and Certification

It's essential that you receive your training from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in many cases to earn a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Georgia schools simply 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 one year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more expansive education, which for most schools requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not abundantly offered. When your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you might wish to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an effective way for those new to the field to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their career. Just 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 program, in conjunction with attaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the rapid growing medical care industry.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Schools

If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding program may be a great option. They can be particularly attractive to students living in Atlanta GA who plan on attending school while still working or have additional responsibilities that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added benefit, online programs are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom alternatives. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's imperative to verify that any online college you select is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will cover the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online classes you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, 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 certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Training Programs

Once you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, along with what education options are available, you must begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there a large number of training options available at community colleges as well as 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 task can become rather formidable. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be significant factors, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be driving to classes from your Atlanta residence. And confirming that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's take a look at some of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each one and make the best choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's essential that the program and school you pick are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you receive will be of the highest quality, it might help secure future employment as well. Many Atlanta GA healthcare organizations will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only obtainable for programs that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before picking a medical coding and billing school, find out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other schools. This is especially important if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will primarily be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, verifying that the program is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. Another option is to get in touch with several Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which programs they suggest. Remember that even when the college 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 graduating in your new field may be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the colleges 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 billing and coding school has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the College's Location? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Atlanta GA residence, then the location of the campus will be of significant importance. Naturally if you enroll in an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be a consideration. One thing to bear in mind is that if you attend classes at a community or junior college, most charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first consider those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing training programs can vary in cost depending on the type of credential earned and the amount of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce a portion of the cost, so make sure to get in touch with the college's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Atlanta GA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Many students continue working while attending college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Atlanta GA, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time schedule, verify that the school you enroll in provides that alternative. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.

Learn How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Course

Select the Best Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Picking the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a critical first step to help assure your success in this exciting specialty of medical care. Medical coding and medical billing are two of the fastest growing jobs in the health industry. As a result, there are many trade schools, junior colleges and companies that furnish education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can elect to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also important that the college you select has an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the medical care field. But however you choose to receive your education, by following 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 college. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Atlanta Georgia.