How to Enroll In the Right Medical Coding Program 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 find the right school so that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries 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 do you start? A number of aspiring students begin 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 classes and go with the least expensive one. But while cost and location are important factors when making your determination, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will go over a checklist of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools 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 billers and coders do.

Medical Coder Job Functions

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Atlanta GA private practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies utilized. There are several 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 nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that impact coding also. Improperly coded claims may result in services not being covered, services being paid for at a lower rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Atlanta GA hospitals and doctors many thousands of dollars in income annually, a reliable medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare team. They can operate in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and critical care centers. It is not unusual for professional medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Functions

As crucial as the medical coder's function is, it would be for nothing without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Atlanta GA healthcare facilities and are literally responsible for keeping them in business. In many cases the coder and biller may be the same man or woman within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two separate specialists. Once the coder has performed his or her task, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After being adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional may also do any of the following:

• Confirm medical insurance coverages for patients and assist 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 medical provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
• Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools

If you are searching for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding school may be a good option. They can be especially attractive to those living in Atlanta GA who anticipate going to school while still working or have other responsibilities that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional benefit, online colleges are frequently cheaper than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online programs are reputable. For that reason it's essential to confirm that any online college you choose is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to verify that any online instruction you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to commit yourself to this mode of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Schools

Now that you have a general idea just what a medical biller and coder does, as well as what education options are available, you must begin the process of evaluating colleges. But since there a large number of training options available at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the Atlanta GA area, you must have a ready list of questions to assess each one. And when you add all of the online programs that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become somewhat formidable. As we have already discussed, expense and location are going to be significant issues, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Atlanta home. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at a few of the additional questions that you should ask the schools you are reviewing so that you can evaluate each one and make the best choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's essential that the program and college you select are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as 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 online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it could 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 course. And financial aid and student loans are often only obtainable for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to picking a medical coding and billing program, find out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other colleges. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will mostly be evaluating you based on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, verifying that the college is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school as well. An alternative is to check with several Atlanta GA medical organizations that you may be interested in working for and find out which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when the college itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there a Job Referral Program? Finding a job in Atlanta GA after graduating in your new profession may be challenging without the support 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 college has a sizable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are sought after 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 campus will be of prime importance. Obviously if you choose 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 attend classes at a junior or community college, most charge a higher tuition for pupils that live outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first look at those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Cost? Medical billing and coding training programs can fluctuate in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial assistance department to see what is offered in Atlanta GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online college, some of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? A number of 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, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part time schedule, make certain that the college you choose offers that option. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Medical Coding Course

Enroll in the Best Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Selecting the right medical billing and coding certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to help ensure your success in this exciting specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the most rapidly expanding professions in the medical sector. As a result, there are many trade schools, community colleges and other institutions that offer instruction and training in medical billing and coding. As we have reviewed, you can elect to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the school you choose offers an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the medical care field. But however you elect to receive your education, by following the previous guidelines and asking the right questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and select the ideal medical billing and coding program. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your career goal to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Atlanta Georgia.