How to Select the Best Medical Billing and Coding Training Program near Dunwoody Georgia

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Dunwoody GA, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you may already know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the USA, and a growing number of options are offered both on campus and online to get the training that you need. But just where does one start? Many potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they may search the internet looking for online schools and choose the least expensive one. But while cost and location are relevant factors when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation must be considered as well. We will cover a list of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding courses you are researching so that you can learn what you need to know before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coding Job Functions

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Dunwoody GA private 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 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 depend on information from sources such as nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and radiology and lab 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. Incorrectly coded claims can 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 literally cost Dunwoody GA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in revenue each year, a good medical coder is a vital asset for any healthcare team. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including private practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to working from home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Billing Job Functions

As vital as the medical coder's role is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose labors bring in revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Dunwoody GA healthcare facilities and are essentially responsible for keeping them in business. Sometimes the coder and biller may be the same person within a healthcare organization, but they can also be two separate professionals. After the coder has completed his or her duty, the biller utilizes the codes provided to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. After they have been paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be billed for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing clerk can also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance benefits for patients and help them with billing concerns or questions
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been declined
• Work as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies 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 are employed by family practices, but also Dunwoody GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They can practice in any type of medical facility that relies on the incomes generated by billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Coder and Biller Online Programs and Certification

It's essential that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. While it is not a requirement 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 simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The most expedient way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about 1 year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for most programs calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not widely offered. When your education has been concluded, although not required in most states, you may want to attain a professional certification. Certification is an excellent means for those new to the profession 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).

Graduating from an accredited medical billing and coding program, in conjunction with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new profession and succeed in the fast growing healthcare industry.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Courses

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online college might be a great option. They can be especially attractive to those living in Dunwoody GA who plan on attending school while still working or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added benefit, online colleges are frequently cheaper than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, study materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's essential to verify that any online college you select is accredited to guarantee a premium education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next segment. Just be sure to check that any online school you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Once you have a general idea just what a medical biller and coder does, along with what education options are available, you must start the process of evaluating colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Dunwoody GA area, you need to have a prepared list of questions to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become somewhat daunting. As we have already covered, expense and location are going to be relevant issues, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be driving to classes from your Dunwoody home. And confirming that the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting process as well. So let's take a look at some of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are considering so that you can analyze each one and make the appropriate choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the school and program you select are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you get will be of superior quality, it might help secure future employment also. A number of Dunwoody GA healthcare facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training program. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only offered for schools that have earned an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before choosing a medical coding and billing college, check out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is especially imperative if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will primarily be relying 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, such as U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school also. Another option is to call some Dunwoody GA medical organizations that you might be interested in working for and find out which colleges they recommend. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Referral Program? Obtaining employment in Dunwoody GA after graduation in your new profession may be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding college has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also indicates that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are intending on driving to class from your Dunwoody GA home, then the location of the school 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 community or junior college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that live outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? Medical billing and coding certification programs can fluctuate in cost depending 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. Expenses also include such items as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Dunwoody GA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? A number of students keep working while going to school and require a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Dunwoody GA, verify that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time schedule, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Medical Billing School

Select the Right Dunwoody GA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Selecting the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree program is a critical initial step to help assure your success in this rewarding sector of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the fastest expanding jobs in the medical industry. As a result, there are a lot of trade schools, junior colleges and companies that provide training and education in medical coding and billing. As we have discussed, you can decide to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the college you pick offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. But however you decide to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better prepared to analyze your options and select the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper training, you can realize your career goal to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Dunwoody Georgia.