| Aiken | Anderson | Charleston | Columbia |
| Florence | Goose Creek | Greenville | Greer |
| Hilton Head | Hilton Head Island | Mauldin | Mount Pleasant |
| Myrtle Beach | North Charleston | Rock Hill | Spartanburg |
| Summerville | Sumter |
What to Ask Medical Coding and Billing Programs
Once you have a general idea just what a medical biller and coder does, in addition to what training options are offered, you need to start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous training options offered at community colleges and vocational, technical and trade schools within the SC area, you must have a prepared list of questions to analyze each one. And when you include all of the online colleges that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become somewhat daunting. As we have already addressed, expense and location are going to be important issues, particularly if you have a modest budget and will be traveling to classes from your South Carolina residence. And confirming that the school and program are accredited must be part of your vetting procedure also. So let's review several of the other questions that you should ask the schools you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the best choice.
Is the Program Accredited? It's crucial that the program and college you decide on are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example 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 learning. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the training you receive will be of superior quality, it may help secure future employment also. Many South Carolina healthcare organizations will only hire entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical coding and billing training program. And financial assistance and student loans are often only offered for programs that have earned an accreditation.
What is the Program's Reputation? Prior to enrolling in a medical coding and billing program, check out what its ranking and reputation are compared to other programs. This is especially important if you have no experience in the profession, since potential employers will basically be relying on the quality of your education. As we have addressed, verifying that the program is accredited is a first step. Checking with school rating organizations, for example U.S. News and World Report, can validate the quality of the school also. An alternative is to get in touch with several South Carolina healthcare organizations that you may have an interest in working for and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if the school itself does not have an exceptional reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be highly regarded.
Is there a Job Referral Program? Finding employment in South Carolina after graduation in your new profession can be difficult without the support 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 an excellent indication that the billing and coding college has a substantial network of medical care employers where they can place their graduates. It also suggests that the school's graduates are in high demand in the marketplace.
Where is the College Located? If you are intending on driving to class from your South Carolina residence, then the location of the school will be of significant importance. Obviously if you select an medical coding and billing online program, then the location of the college will not be important. One thing to remember is that if you go to classes at a junior or community college, most require a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within your local area.
What is the Total Cost? Medical coding and billing training courses can vary in cost depending on the type of credential earned and the length of training provided. But remember, 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 be sure to contact the school's financial assistance department to see what is available in South Carolina. Naturally if you decide to enroll in an online school, a portion of these additional costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.
Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? A number of students keep working while attending school and need a flexible class schedule. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends in South Carolina, confirm that they are available at those times. If you can only enroll on a part-time schedule, confirm that the school you decide on provides that alternative. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family responsibilities.