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

Once you have decided to enter the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Atlanta GA, it's important that you find the right program so that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, and a growing number of options are available both online and on campus to receive the training that you need. But just where does one begin? Many future students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online schools and select the least expensive one. But while cost and location are relevant factors when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will review a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding training programs you are researching so that you can find out what you must know before making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Coding and Billing Online Programs and Certification

It's imperative that you receive your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Even though it is not required in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Georgia colleges only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which generally takes about 1 year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more expansive education, which for almost all schools calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely offered. After your training has been concluded, although not required 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 potential employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. Just some of the organizations that provide 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 course, along 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 Coder Job Duties

Medical coders work 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 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 such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab reports. Medical Coders must know not only what total services were provided for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government rules that impact coding also. Inaccurately coded claims can lead to services not being covered, services being paid at a reduced rate, or the physician or facility being penalized for improper or fraudulent 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 a vital asset to the healthcare team. They can work in any kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Description

As vital as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Atlanta GA healthcare organizations and are essentially responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the coder and biller are the same man or woman within a healthcare facility, but they can also be 2 independent professionals. Once the coder has completed her or his duty, the biller uses the codes provided to fill out 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 or other out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical biller may also do any of the following:

• Verify health insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal any that have been declined
• Act as an intermediary between the healthcare provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim settlement
• Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and deal with unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Billing and Coding Online Colleges

If you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes from home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online college might be a great alternative. They can be particularly attractive to those living in Atlanta GA who anticipate going to school while continuing to work or have additional obligations that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added advantage, online programs are in many cases less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, course materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online courses are reputable. That's why it's important to verify that any online school you enroll in is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to establish that any online college you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this style of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Biller and Coder Courses

Now that you have a general idea just what a medical coder and biller does, along with what training options are offered, you must begin the process of researching colleges. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges and trade, vocational and technical schools within the Atlanta GA area, you need to have a prepared list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online programs that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become somewhat formidable. As we have already discussed, location and cost are going to be significant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Atlanta residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's review some of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can evaluate each one and make the right choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you choose are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you get will be of superior quality, it may help with your future employment also. Many Atlanta GA healthcare facilities will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only available for programs that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before enrolling in a medical coding and billing college, check out what its reputation and ranking are among other programs. This is especially imperative if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have discussed, confirming that the school 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 a few Atlanta GA healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and find out which programs they suggest. Bear 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 Placement Program? Finding employment in Atlanta GA after graduation in your new profession can be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Find out 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 substantial network of medical care 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 anticipating commuting to class from your Atlanta GA home, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Obviously if you enroll in an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the college will not be important. One thing to bear in mind is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many require a higher tuition for enrollees that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Cost? Medical billing and coding training courses can fluctuate in cost based on the type of credential acquired and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only expense for your education. Costs also consist of such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce a portion of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school'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, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Match your Schedule? Many students continue working while going to school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Atlanta GA, make sure that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you pick provides that option. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

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Enroll in the Right Atlanta GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Choosing the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree program is a crucial initial step to help guarantee your success in this exciting field of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the most rapidly expanding professions in the health sector. Because of this, there are numerous vocational schools, junior colleges and other institutions that furnish training and education in medical coding and billing. As we have reviewed, you can opt to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also essential that the school you choose has an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care community. But however you elect to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and asking the right questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and choose the right medical billing and coding college. And with the proper training, you can achieve your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Atlanta Georgia.