How to Choose the Right Medical Billing School near Statesboro Georgia

Now that you have decided to become part of the healthcare profession by enrolling in a medical billing and coding school near Statesboro GA, it's important that you select the right school so that you receive the necessary education to ensure your success. As you may already know, healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in the Country, and a growing number of options are offered both on campus and online to receive the training that you need. But just where does one begin? A number of aspiring students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and select the cheapest one. But while location and cost are relevant issues when making your determination, they should not be the sole ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifiers as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will go over a list of questions 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 decision. But first, let's take a look at what medical billers and coders do and the training and certification options available.

Medical Coding Job Duties

Medical coders work on the front line of the billing systems for Statesboro GA medical practices and healthcare organizations. They have the responsibility to review the medical records of patients and assign universal codes to all services provided. These services may be for medical, diagnosis or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment 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 including 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 working knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that impact coding also. Improperly coded claims can lead to services not being paid for, services being paid at a lower rate, or the provider being penalized for fraudulent or improper billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Statesboro GA hospitals and doctors multiple thousands of dollars in revenue annually, a good medical coder is a necessary asset for any healthcare team. They can work in every type of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and emergency care centers. It is not uncommon for experienced medical coders to work at home as an offsite employee or an independent contractor.

Medical Biller Job Summary

As essential 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 very important to Statesboro GA medical organizations and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Sometimes the biller and coder can be the same man or woman within a medical facility, but they can also be two individual specialists. Once the coder has carried out his or her job, the biller utilizes the codes furnished to complete and submit claim forms to insurance carriers, Medicaid or Medicare. After being paid by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles or additional out of pocket expenses. On a regular basis, a medical billing clerk may also do any of the following:

• Confirm medical insurance coverages for patients and assist them with billing questions or concerns
• 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 proper claim resolution
• Generate and manage Accounts Receivables reports
• Produce and handle unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for private practices, but also Statesboro GA emergency care facilities, hospitals, medical groups or nursing homes. They may work in every type of medical facility that depends on the revenues generated from billing third party payers and patients.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Instruction and Certification

It's important that you get your training from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not a requirement in most cases to attain a professional certification, the program 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 most expedient way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to earn a certificate, which generally takes about a year to finish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more comprehensive education, which for almost all schools requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not widely available. Once your education has been concluded, although not mandated in the majority of states, you might wish to earn a professional certification. Certification is an effective means for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. 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 billing and coding program, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the rapid growing medical care industry.

Medical Billing and Coding Online Schools

If you are searching for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online school may be a great alternative. They can be especially attractive to those living in Statesboro GA who plan on attending school while still working or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added benefit, online schools are often less expensive than the traditional classroom alternatives. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online courses are reputable. For that reason it's imperative to establish that any online course you enroll in is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to confirm that any online school 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 commit yourself to this style of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Once you have a better idea just what a medical coder and biller does, as well as what training options are offered, you need to begin the process of researching schools. But since there many training options offered at community colleges as well as technical, trade and vocational schools within the Statesboro GA area, you should have a ready list of questions in order to analyze each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become rather daunting. As we have already covered, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Statesboro home. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's take a look at some of the additional questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at so that you can analyze each one and make the right choice.

Is the Training Accredited? It's important that the program and college you choose are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, for instance the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the training you receive will be of the highest quality, it may help with your future employment as well. A number of Statesboro GA healthcare organizations will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding educational program. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only offered for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the School's Reputation? Before picking a medical billing and coding school, find out what its ranking and reputation are among other programs. This is especially important if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mostly be relying on the quality of your training. As we have covered, confirming that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. Another option is to get in touch with some Statesboro GA medical organizations that you may be interested in working for and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if the school itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be highly regarded.

Is there an Employment Placement Program? Finding a job in Statesboro GA after graduating in your new field can be challenging without the help of a job assistance program. Check if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing school has a sizable network of healthcare employers where they can refer their graduates. It also implies that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.

Where is the College's Location? If you are intending on driving to class from your Statesboro GA residence, then the location of the campus will be of significant importance. Of course if you choose an online medical coding and billing program, then the location of the school will not be a factor. One thing to bear in mind is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, many require 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 Overall Expense? Medical coding and billing certification courses can differ in cost depending on the type of credential acquired and the length of training provided. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Expenses also consist of such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset a portion of the expense, so make sure to check with the school'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 additional costs, particularly for commuting may be reduced or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Many students continue working while going to college and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Statesboro GA, make sure that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time schedule, check that the program you select provides that option. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Learn How to Select a Medical Biller and Coder Course

Choose the Right Statesboro GA Medical Billing and Coding Program 

Enrolling in the ideal medical coding and billing degree or certificate course is a crucial initial step to help guarantee your success in this rewarding sector of healthcare. Medical coding and medical billing are 2 of the most rapidly expanding occupations in the health sector. Because of this, there are many trade schools, junior colleges and companies that provide training and education in medical billing and coding. As we have discussed, you can elect to attend classes either on campus or online. It's also essential that the college you pick has an accredited program with an outstanding reputation within the healthcare industry. But however you choose to receive your training, by following the previous guidelines and posing the right questions, you will be better prepared to assess your options and select the ideal medical billing and coding program. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Statesboro Georgia.