| Biloxi | Clinton | Greenville | Gulfport |
| Hattiesburg | Horn Lake | Jackson | Madison |
| Meridian | Olive Branch | Pearl | Southaven |
| Starkville | Tupelo |
What to Ask Medical Billing and Coding Training Programs
Once you have a general idea just what a medical coder and biller does, in addition to what education options are offered, you need to start the process of comparing colleges. But since there many training options available at community colleges as well as trade, vocational and technical schools within the MS area, you must have a prepared list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you include all of the online schools that offer medical billing and coding classes, the project can become somewhat daunting. As we have already discussed, location and cost are going to be relevant issues, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be driving to classes from your Mississippi residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited should be part of your vetting procedure as well. So let's review some of the other questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each one and make the ideal choice.
Is the Program Accredited? It's vital that the school and program you choose are accredited by a recognized 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 distance or online learning. Not only will accreditation help ensure that the education you receive will be of superior quality, it might help with your future employment also. A number of Mississippi healthcare organizations will only hire entry level applicants that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding training course. And financial assistance and student loans are in many cases only offered for schools that have obtained an accreditation.
What is the School's Reputation? Prior to enrolling in a medical coding and billing college, check out what its reputation and ranking are compared to other programs. This is especially important if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be relying on the quality of your training. As we have discussed, verifying that the college is accredited is a first step. Checking with college rating organizations, for instance U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. An alternative is to contact several Mississippi healthcare organizations that you might have an interest in working for and ask which programs they suggest. Remember that even if 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? Obtaining employment in Mississippi after graduating in your new profession may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the billing and coding college has a substantial network of healthcare 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 planning on driving to class from your Mississippi 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 important. One thing to bear in mind is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, many require a higher tuition for pupils that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.
What is the Complete Cost? Medical coding and billing certification courses can differ in cost depending on the type of credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Just keep in mind, tuition is not the only cost of your education. Costs also consist of such things as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to get in touch with the college's financial aid department to find out what is available in Mississippi. Naturally if you decide to attend an online college, a portion of these added costs, such as for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? A number of students keep working while going to school and need a convenient class schedule. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends in Mississippi, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you pick offers that alternative. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family responsibilities.