| Dodge City | Garden City | Hutchinson | Kansas City |
| Lawrence | Leavenworth | Leawood | Lenexa |
| Manhattan | Olathe | Overland Park | Salina |
| Shawnee | Topeka | Wichita |
Points to Ask Medical Coder and Biller Colleges
Now that you have a better idea what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are available, you must begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there many training options available at community colleges as well as vocational, technical and trade schools within the KS area, you need to have a prepared list of questions to assess each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical billing and coding classes, the task can become rather daunting. As we have already covered, expense and location are going to be important issues, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Kansas residence. And confirming that the school and program are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's review some of the additional questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at so that you can analyze each one and make the best choice.
Is the Training Accredited? It's vital that the program and college you choose are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you get will be of the highest quality, it may help with your future employment also. A number of Kansas medical facilities will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training course. And financial aid and student loans are in many cases only offered for colleges that have earned an accreditation.
What is the School's Reputation? Before enrolling in a medical coding and billing program, find out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is especially important if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, making sure that the college is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can confirm the quality of the school as well. Another option is to contact some Kansas medical organizations that you might have an interest in working for and find out which colleges they recommend. Bear in mind that even if the school itself does not have an excellent reputation, its medical coding and billing program may still be well regarded.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Obtaining employment in Kansas after graduating in your new profession might be difficult without the help of a job assistance program. Find out if the colleges you are considering 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 college has a sizable network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also indicates that the college's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.
Where is the College's Location? If you are planning on commuting to class from your Kansas residence, then the location of the school will be of prime importance. Naturally 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 students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within your local area.
What is the Total Expense? Medical coding and billing training courses can fluctuate in cost based 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. Expenditures also consist of such things as the cost of books, supplies and commuting. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset a portion of the cost, so make sure to check with the college's financial assistance department to see what is available in Kansas. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, some 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 attending college and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends in Kansas, confirm that they are offered at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time schedule, confirm that the program you pick offers that option. Also, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.