| Alexandria | Baton Rouge | Bossier City | Central |
| Houma | Kenner | Lafayette | Lake Charles |
| Laplace | Marrero | Metairie | Monroe |
| New Iberia | New Orleans | Prairieville | Shreveport |
| Slidell |
What to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Programs
Now that you have a general idea what a medical biller and coder does, as well as what education options are offered, you need to start the process of researching colleges. But since there a large number of training options available at community colleges and vocational, technical and trade schools within the LA area, you must have a prepared list of questions to assess each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical coding and billing classes, the project can become rather formidable. As we have already addressed, cost and location are going to be significant factors, especially if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your Louisiana residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's review several of the other questions that you should ask the schools you are considering so that you can compare each one and make the ideal choice.
Is the Training Accredited? It's crucial that the school and program you pick are accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it's an online college, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help guarantee that the education you receive will be of the highest quality, it could help secure future employment also. A number of Louisiana medical organizations will only employ entry level candidates that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing educational program. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only offered for schools that have earned an accreditation.
What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to enrolling in a medical billing and coding college, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other colleges. This is especially relevant if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, confirming that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school as well. Another option is to get in touch with some Louisiana healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and find out which colleges they recommend. Bear in mind that even when the college itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.
Is there an Employment Referral Program? Finding employment in Louisiana after graduating in your new profession may be difficult without the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A rapid and high placement rate is a good indication that the coding and billing college has a sizable network of medical care employers where they can refer their graduates. It also indicates that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.
Where is the College Located? If you are planning on driving to class from your Louisiana residence, then the location of the campus will be of prime importance. Of course if you choose an online medical billing and coding program, then the location of the school will not be a factor. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go to classes at a community or junior college, most charge a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may prefer to first research those colleges that are within your local area.
What is the Overall Expense? Medical billing and coding certification courses can differ in cost based on the type of credential obtained 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 books, supplies and commuting. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial assistance department to find out what is offered in Louisiana. Naturally if you decide to attend an online college, a portion of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.
Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? A number of students continue working while attending school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends in Louisiana, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part time schedule, make sure that the college you enroll in provides that option. Also, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.