How to Find the Right Medical Coding Course near Atlanta Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to enter the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's important that you find the right school so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the Country, and more and more options are offered both online and on campus to get the training that you need. But just where do you start? Many potential students begin by searching for programs that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they might surf the internet looking for online courses and go with the cheapest one. But while location and cost are relevant factors when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as reputation and accreditation must be considered as well. We will go over a checklist of topics that you need to ask the medical billing and coding schools you are researching so that you can 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 and the training and certification options offered.

Medical Coder and Biller Online Instruction and Certification

It's important that you receive your education from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most Georgia programs simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The fastest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which typically takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for almost all schools calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. Once your training has been concluded, although not mandated in most states, you might wish to attain a professional certification. Certification is an effective method for those new to the profession to show prospective employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their occupation. 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 billing and coding program, in conjunction with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing healthcare field.

Medical Coding Job Summary

Medical coders are on the forefront of the billing systems for Atlanta GA private practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment used. 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 depend on information from sources such as physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accurate reporting, but must have a functioning knowledge of all private payer and government regulations that influence coding as well. Incorrectly coded claims can lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Atlanta GA hospitals and doctors many thousands of dollars in revenue annually, a proficient medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare team. They can operate in any kind of healthcare facility, including private 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 Billing Job Duties

As vital 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 very important to Atlanta GA medical facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the biller and coder can be the same individual within a medical organization, but they can also be two independent specialists. Once the coder has performed her or his job, the biller uses the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be invoiced for deductibles or other out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional might also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been declined
• Function as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for correct claim settlement
• Create and manage Accounts Receivables reports
• Generate and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs

If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online program might be an excellent alternative. They can be especially appealing to students living in Atlanta GA who anticipate attending school while continuing to work or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online programs are frequently 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 imperative to verify that any online college you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to check that any online school you are researching 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 type of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Training Programs

Now that you have a better idea just what a medical biller and coder does, in addition to what education options are available, you must start the process of comparing schools. But since there are numerous training options available at community colleges and technical, trade and vocational schools within the Atlanta GA area, you should have a ready list of questions in order to assess each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become rather formidable. As we have already covered, cost and location are going to be significant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be commuting to classes from your Atlanta residence. And confirming that the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's review some of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are considering so that you can analyze each one and make the ideal choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the school and program you select are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it might help with your future employment also. Many Atlanta GA healthcare facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training course. And financial assistance and student loans are often only offered for colleges that have received an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before choosing a medical billing and coding program, check out what its ranking and reputation are among other schools. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will basically be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have addressed, making sure that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. Another option is to check with several Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and ask which programs 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 highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Finding employment in Atlanta GA after graduation in your new profession can be challenging without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing school has a considerable network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the college'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 school will be of significant importance. Obviously if you enroll in an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be a factor. One thing to keep 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 might prefer to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical billing and coding training programs can vary in cost based on the type of credential earned and the length of training furnished. But remember, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Expenditures also include such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget 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 attend an online school, some of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Match your Schedule? A number of students keep working while attending college and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend 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 basis, make certain that the program you decide on provides that option. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family responsibilities.

Find Out More on How to Enroll in a Medical Coding Program

Enroll in the Best Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Selecting the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree program is a critical first step to help ensure your success in this rewarding specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the most rapidly expanding jobs in the medical sector. Because of this, there are a lot of trade schools, community colleges and other institutions that offer training and instruction in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can elect to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the school you pick offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care community. But however you elect to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the appropriate questions, you will be better able to evaluate your options and select the ideal medical billing and coding program. And with the proper education, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing specialist in Atlanta Georgia.