How to Select the Best Medical Billing and Coding School near Sandy Springs Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Sandy Springs GA, it's essential that you select the appropriate program so that you receive the necessary 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 begin? Many potential students begin by searching for programs that are within driving distance of their homes and then comparing tuition. Or they might surf the internet looking for online classes and pick the cheapest one. But while cost and location are relevant issues when making your choice, they should not be the sole ones when researching medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration as well. We will go over a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are researching so that you can learn 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 training and certification options available.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Training and Certification

It's important that you obtain 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 earn a professional certification, the school you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Georgia programs only require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The quickest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which typically takes about a year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for the majority of programs calls for 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly offered. When your training has been concluded, although not mandated in most 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 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).

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

Medical Coding Job Description

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Sandy Springs GA medical practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to review 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 used. 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 use information from sources including physician and nursing notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Medical Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accuracy, but must have a working knowledge of all private payer and government rules that influence coding also. Incorrectly coded claims may result in services not being paid for, services being paid for at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can actually cost Sandy Springs GA doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in revenue annually, a reliable medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare organization. They can work in every kind of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not unusual for experienced medical coders to working from home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Billing Job Description

As important as the medical coder's role is, it would be for naught without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Sandy Springs 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 medical facility, but they can also be two separate professionals. Once the coder has carried out his or her task, the biller utilizes the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the appropriate 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 benefits for patients and assist them with billing concerns or questions
• Follow up on patient claims submitted and appeal those that have been declined
• Work as a mediator between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim settlement
• Produce and oversee Accounts Receivables reports
• Create and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billers not only are employed by private practices, but also Sandy Springs GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical groups or nursing homes. They may practice in any kind of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated by billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Colleges

If you are interested in 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 especially appealing to those living in Sandy Springs GA who plan on going to school while still working or have additional obligations that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online programs are frequently cheaper than the standard classroom alternatives. Costs for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's important to confirm that the online college you select is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next segment. Just make sure to establish that any online college you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to apply yourself to this style of learning, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Once you have a general idea what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what training options are offered, you need to start the process of researching schools. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Sandy Springs GA area, you need to have a ready list of questions in order to assess each one. And when you add all of the online programs that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become rather formidable. As we have already addressed, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Sandy Springs residence. And confirming that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process also. So let's review several of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's important that the program and school you pick are accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the training you get will be of the highest quality, it may help secure future employment as well. Many Sandy Springs GA healthcare organizations will only hire 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 programs that have received an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Prior to selecting a medical coding and billing program, find out what its ranking and reputation are among other schools. This is especially imperative if you have no experience in the field, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, confirming 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. An alternative is to contact a few Sandy Springs GA healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which programs they recommend. Keep 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 an Employment Assistance Program? Finding employment in Sandy Springs GA after graduating in your new field can be difficult without the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering 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 college has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies 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 Sandy Springs GA residence, then the location of the program will be of significant importance. Naturally if you enroll in an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be a factor. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for pupils that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first research those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing certification courses can fluctuate in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce a portion of the expense, so be sure to get in touch with the college's financial assistance department to find out what is available in Sandy Springs GA. Of course if you decide to enroll in an online college, some of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be lessened or even eliminated.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Many 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 Sandy Springs GA, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time basis, verify that the college you pick offers that alternative. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Billing and Coding Program

Enroll in the Right Sandy Springs GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Choosing the right medical coding and billing certificate or degree course is a crucial initial step to help ensure your success in this exciting field of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the most rapidly expanding occupations in the health industry. As a result, there are numerous vocational schools, junior colleges and other institutions that furnish training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can choose to attend classes either online or on campus. It's also important that the college you pick offers an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the healthcare field. But however you choose to receive your education, by adhering to the previous guidelines and asking the right questions, you will be better prepared to evaluate your options and choose the right medical billing and coding college. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Sandy Springs Georgia.