How to Enroll In the Right Medical Billing and Coding Course near Statesboro Georgia

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare field by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Statesboro GA, it's essential that you find the right program to ensure that you receive the proper education to guarantee your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing fields in the USA, and a growing number of options are available both on campus and online to obtain the training that you need. But just where do you begin? Many aspiring students begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they might search the internet looking for online schools and choose the cheapest one. But while cost and location are important factors when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when evaluating medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration as well. We will review a list of questions that you should ask the medical billing and coding schools you are evaluating in order to learn what you must know before making your decision. Before we do that, let's take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the academic and certification options available.

Medical Coder Job Description

Medical coders are on the front line of the billing systems for Statesboro GA medical practices and hospitals. Coders have the responsibility to analyze the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any equipment or medical supplies utilized. There are various 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 including 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 functioning knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that impact coding also. Incorrectly coded claims may result in services not being paid for, services being paid at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Statesboro GA physicians and medical facilities multiple thousands of dollars in revenue every year, a reliable medical coder is an important asset for any healthcare organization. They can operate in every type of healthcare facility, including family practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not uncommon for seasoned medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Summary

As important as the medical coder's function is, it would be for naught without the contribution of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are extremely important to Statesboro GA medical facilities and are practically responsible for keeping their doors open. In many cases the coder and biller may be the same individual within a healthcare facility, but they can also be two individual professionals. Once the coder has completed his or her task, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to complete and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After being paid by the appropriate entity, patients can then be charged for deductibles and additional out of pocket costs. On a regular basis, a medical biller can also do any of the following:

• Check medical insurance benefits for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• Check on submitted patient claims and appeal those that have been declined
• Function as a mediator between the medical provider, the insurance companies and the patients for accurate claim resolution
• Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

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

Medical Coder and Biller Online Education and Certification

It's imperative that you obtain your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. While it is not a requirement in most cases to obtain a professional certification, the school you enroll in should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most Georgia colleges only require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The quickest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which usually takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for most schools requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical coding and billing are not abundantly offered. After your training has been concluded, although not required in the majority of states, you might want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an excellent way 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 course, together with earning a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new vocation and succeed in the rapid growing healthcare industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Training

If you are looking for convenience and the flexibility of attending classes from home, then enrolling in an online medical billing and coding school might be a great alternative. They can be especially attractive to students living in Statesboro GA who anticipate going to school while still working or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online schools are in many cases cheaper than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be minimized or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online schools are reputable. That's why it's essential to confirm that the online course you choose is accredited to guarantee a quality education. We will cover the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to verify that any online training you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to devote yourself to this type of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Training Programs

Now that you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are available, you need to start the process of evaluating schools. But since there a large number of training options available at community colleges and technical, trade and vocational schools within the Statesboro GA area, you must have a ready 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 project can become rather daunting. As we have already covered, expense and location are going to be important factors, especially if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Statesboro home. And verifying that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting process as well. So let's take a look at several of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.

Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the school and program you decide on are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you receive will be of superior quality, it could help secure future employment as well. A number of Statesboro GA medical facilities will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational course. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only obtainable for programs that have received an accreditation.

What is the Program's Reputation? Before picking a medical coding and billing program, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other colleges. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will primarily be relying on the quality of your training. As we have covered, verifying that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with college rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. An alternative is to call several Statesboro GA medical organizations that you might be interested in working for and ask which colleges they suggest. Remember 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 Referral Program? Finding employment in Statesboro GA after graduating in your new field can be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is a good indication that the billing and coding school has a considerable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the School Located? If you are intending on commuting to class from your Statesboro GA residence, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Obviously if you choose an medical billing and coding online program, then the location of the college will not be a consideration. One thing to remember is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many charge a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.

What is the Overall Expense? Medical billing and coding training programs can vary in cost depending on the type of credential earned and the length of training provided. But remember, tuition is not the only expense for 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 expense, so make sure to get in touch with the college's financial aid department to see what is available in Statesboro GA. Naturally if you decide to attend 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? Many students keep working while attending college and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only go to classes during the evenings or on weekends near Statesboro GA, verify that they are offered at those times. If you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that alternative. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Find Out More on How to Choose a Medical Biller and Coder Class

Choose the Best Statesboro GA Medical Billing and Coding School 

Selecting the right medical coding and billing degree or certificate program is a critical first step to help guarantee your success in this exciting sector of medical care. Medical billing and medical coding are two of the fastest growing careers in the health sector. As a result, there are a lot of trade schools, junior colleges and companies that offer training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can choose to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also imperative that the school you select offers an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the medical care community. But however you elect to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better able to assess your options and choose the right medical billing and coding school. And with the proper training, you can achieve your career objective to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Statesboro Georgia.