How to Select the Right Medical Billing and Coding Training Program near Mableton Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Mableton GA, it's important that you find the right program so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you no doubt know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields 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 does one start? Many potential students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they might search the internet looking for online courses and go with the least expensive one. But while location and cost are important factors when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. We will review a checklist of topics that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating in order to find out what you need to know prior to making your selection. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the training and certification options offered.

Medical Coding Job Functions

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Mableton GA medical practices and hospitals. They have the responsibility to examine the treatment records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services can be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. There are multiple 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. 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 rules that affect coding as well. Inaccurately coded claims may result in services not being paid for, services being paid for at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Mableton GA doctors and hospitals many thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare team. They can operate in any type of healthcare facility, including family practices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care centers. It is not unusual for experienced 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 job is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts produce revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Mableton GA medical organizations and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the coder and biller may be the same man or woman within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two independent professionals. When the coder has completed her or his task, the biller utilizes the codes provided to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be billed for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a routine basis, a medical billing professional might also do any of the following:

• Verify medical insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
• Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and take care of unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by family practices, but also Mableton GA emergency care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes or medical groups. They may practice in every kind of healthcare facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Training and Certification

It's essential that you get your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Although it is not required in many cases to obtain a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). The majority of Georgia programs just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to apply. The fastest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which usually takes about 1 year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more extensive education, which for the majority of programs requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not abundantly offered. When your training has been completed, although not mandated in most states, you may want to acquire 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 committed to their career. Just some of the organizations that offer 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 course, together with obtaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the rapid growing medical care industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Classes

If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then selecting an online medical billing and coding program might be a great alternative. They can be especially appealing to individuals living in Mableton GA who plan on attending school while still working or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional benefit, online programs are often cheaper than the standard classroom alternatives. Costs for such things as tuition, course materials and commuting may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's important to verify that the online school you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to check that any online college you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this type of learning, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Schools

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

Is the School Accredited? It's vital that the program and school you choose are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, 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 online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it could help secure future employment also. Many Mableton GA medical organizations will only employ entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training program. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only offered for programs that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to enrolling in a medical coding and billing school, find 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 mainly be relying on the quality of your training. As we have addressed, verifying that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school also. Another option is to contact a few Mableton GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which programs they recommend. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job in Mableton GA after graduation in your new field may be difficult without the support of a job assistance program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at 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 school has a sizable network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the school's graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the College Located? If you are intending on driving to class from your Mableton GA home, then the location of the program will be of prime importance. Of course if you choose an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the college will not be important. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Cost? Medical billing and coding certification courses can vary 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. Costs also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce a portion of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial assistance department to see what is available in Mableton GA. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online college, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? A number of students keep working while going to college and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Mableton GA, make sure that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part time basis, verify that the college you decide on provides that alternative. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Medical Biller and Coder Program

Enroll in the Best Mableton GA Medical Billing and Coding Training 

Enrolling in the right medical billing and coding certificate or degree course is a crucial initial step to help ensure your success in this rewarding specialty of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the fastest expanding professions in the health industry. Because of this, there are many trade schools, junior colleges and companies that offer training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have reviewed, you can elect to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also important that the school you choose offers an accredited program with an excellent reputation within the medical care field. 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 college. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Mableton Georgia.