Tag Archives: Medical Billing and Coding Degrees Online Decatur GA 30030

Medical Billing and Coding Online Courses – Decatur GA 30030

How to Choose a Medical Billing and Coding Online College in Decatur 30030

Decatur GA woman attending medical billing and coding school onlineOnce you have decided to become part of the healthcare field by learning to be a medical billing and coding specialist in Decatur GA, it’s essential that you choose the appropriate program to ensure that you receive the proper education to ensure your success. As you probably know, healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields in the Country, and a growing number of options are offered both on campus and online to obtain the training that you need. But just where do you begin? A number of aspiring students begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then comparing cost. Or they may surf the internet looking for online classes and go with the least expensive one. But while location and cost are important issues when making your selection, they should not be the only ones when comparing medical billing and coding schools. Such qualifications as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration as well. We will review a list of topics that you need to ask the schools you are evaluating so that you can find out what you must know prior to making your selection. Before we do that, let’s take a look at what medical coders and billers do and the educational and certification options offered.

Medical Coder Job Functions

Medical coders work on the forefront of the billing systems for Decatur GA medical practices and healthcare organizations. Coders have the responsibility to examine the medical records of patients and convert all services provided into universal codes. These services can be for diagnosis, medical or dental procedures, or any medical supplies or equipment utilized. There are several codes that are used in the conversion, including:

  • CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology).
  • ICD codes (International Classification of Diseases).
  • HCPCS codes (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding).

Medical coders rely on information from sources including nursing and physician notes, patient charts, and lab and radiology reports. Coders must not only know what services were provided in total for accurate reporting, but must have a working knowledge of all government and private payer regulations that affect coding also. Improperly coded claims can result in services not being covered, services being paid for at a decreased rate, or the provider being penalized for improper or fraudulent billing. Since improper coding can in fact cost Decatur GA doctors and hospitals multiple thousands of dollars in income every year, a good medical coder is an important asset to the healthcare team. They can work in every type of healthcare facility, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and critical care centers. It is not unusual for seasoned medical coders to operate at home as an independent contractor or offsite employee.

Medical Biller Job Description

Decatur GA medical billers collect revenueAs essential as the medical coder’s role is, it would be for nothing without the collaboration of the medical biller whose efforts generate revenue. Medical billing clerks are very important to Decatur GA medical facilities and are literally responsible for keeping their doors open. Frequently the biller and coder can be the same individual within a medical organization, but they can also be two independent professionals. When the coder has completed his or her job, the biller utilizes the codes supplied to fill out and submit claim forms to insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. After they have been adjusted by the applicable organization, patients can then be charged for deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. On a routine basis, a medical billing clerk might also do any of the following:

  • Check medical insurance coverages for patients and help them with billing questions or concerns
  • Check on submitted patient claims and appeal any that have been denied
  • Function as an intermediate between the healthcare provider, the insurance carriers and the patients for accurate claim resolution
  • Create and control Accounts Receivables reports
  • Generate and manage unpaid patient collections accounts

Medical billing clerks not only work for private practices, but also Decatur GA hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes or medical groups. They can work in any type of medical facility that depends on the incomes generated from billing patients and third party payers.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Training and Certification

Decatur GA patients are billed for medical treatmentIt’s important that you receive your instruction from a reputable school, whether it’s a community college, technical or trade school. While it is not a requirement in most cases to earn a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). Most colleges only require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about 1 year to complete. An Associate Degree is an alternative for a more comprehensive education, which for the majority of colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor’s Degrees for medical coding and billing are not abundantly available. Once your education has been completed, although not required in the majority of states, you might desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the field to show potential employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. A few of the organizations that make available 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 coding and billing program, combined with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new profession and succeed in the rapid growing medical care industry.

Medical Biller and Coder Online Schools

medical coder working online in Decatur GAIf you are looking for flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then choosing an online medical billing and coding college might be a good option. They can be particularly appealing to those in Decatur GA who plan on attending school while still working or have additional commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an additional benefit, online schools are frequently less expensive than the standard classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online programs are reputable. That’s why it’s essential to establish that any online program you enroll in is accredited to ensure a superior education. We will review the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to verify that any online college you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to devote yourself to this mode of learning, then acquiring your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Online Medical Coder and Biller Programs

Now that you have a general idea what a medical biller and coder does, along with what education options are offered, you must start the process of comparing colleges. But since there a large number of training options offered at community colleges as well as trade, vocational and technical schools online and within the Decatur GA area, you need to have a ready list of questions in order to evaluate each one. And when you add all of the online schools that offer medical coding and billing classes, the task can become somewhat daunting. As we have already discussed, expense and location are going to be important issues, particularly if you have a limited budget and will be commuting to classes from your Decatur residence. And whether or not the program and school are accredited must be part of your vetting process also. So let’s review several of the other questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing so that you can compare each one and make the right choice.

Is the Online College Accredited? It’s important that the school and program you pick are accredited by a respected accrediting organization, for example the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools. If it’s an online school, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Not only will accreditation help confirm that the education you get will be of superior quality, it may help with your future employment in Decatur GA also. Many Decatur healthcare facilities will only employ entry level prospects that have completed an accredited medical billing and coding educational program. And financial assistance and student loans are frequently only available for schools that have obtained an accreditation.

What is the Online School’s Reputation? Before selecting a medical coding and billing college, find out what its reputation and ranking are among other schools. This is particularly relevant if you have no experience in the industry, since potential employers will mainly be evaluating you based on the quality of your training. As we have covered, making sure that the school is accredited is an initial step. Checking with school rating organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, can verify the quality of the school also. Another option is to check with a few Decatur GA medical organizations that you may be interested in working for and ask which colleges they suggest. Bear in mind that even if the college itself does not have an outstanding reputation, its medical billing and coding program may still be well regarded.

Is there an Employment Placement Program? Finding employment after graduating in your new field might be difficult without the support of a job assistance program. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs in the Decatur GA area and what their job placement rates are. A high and rapid placement rate is an excellent indication that the coding and billing school has a sizable network of healthcare employers where they can place their graduates. It also implies that the college’s graduates are sought after in the marketplace.

Where is the College Located ? If you are anticipating driving to class from your Decatur GA residence, then the location of the campus will be of significant importance. Of course if you select an medical billing and coding online program, then the location of the college will not be a factor. One thing to keep in mind is that if you attend classes at a junior or community college, many require a higher tuition for enrollees that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within your local area.

What is the Complete Expense? 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. Costs also include such items as the cost of supplies, books and commuting. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school’s financial aid department to see what is available in 30030. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, particularly for commuting may be minimized or even eliminated.

Are Classes Accessible that Match your Schedule? A number of students continue working while going to school and require a convenient class schedule. If you can only attend classes during the evenings or on weekends near Decatur GA, verify that they are available at those times. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, check that the school you enroll in offers that option. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Attending Online Billing and Coding Classes in Decatur Georgia?

If you live in the greater Decatur GA area and will be attending Online Medical Billing and Coding Classes from home, the following information may be both interesting and informative about your local stomping grounds.

Decatur, Georgia

Decatur is a city in, and the county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia that is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of 20,148 in the 2013 census,[3] the municipality is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple ZIP Codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name. The city is served by three MARTA rail stations. The city is located approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and shares its western border with Atlanta.

Decatur was established at the intersection of two Native American trails:  the Sandtown, which led east from the Chattahoochee River at Utoy Creek, and the Shallowford, which follows today's Clairmont Road, and eventually crossed near Roswell. It was named for United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur.

During the American Civil War, Decatur became a strategic site in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. In July 1864, Major-General James McPherson occupied the town to cut off the Confederates' supply line from Augusta. On July 22, during the Battle of Atlanta, Confederate cavalry under Major-General Joseph Wheeler attacked McPherson's supply wagons and the Union troops left to defend the wagons. A historical marker at the old courthouse marks the site of this skirmish.

Select the Best Online Medical Coding and Billing Training Decatur GA

Choosing the right medical coding and billing online degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to help guarantee your success in this exciting field of healthcare. Medical billing and medical coding are 2 of the most rapidly growing careers in the health industry. As a result, there are numerous vocational schools, community colleges and other institutions that offer education and training in medical billing and coding. As we have covered, you can opt to attend classes either online or on campus. It’s also important that the college you pick offers an accredited program with an exceptional reputation within the medical care community. But however you choose to receive your training, by adhering to the previous guidelines and posing the appropriate questions, you will be better qualified to analyze your options and choose the ideal online medical billing and coding school. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your career objective to become a medical coding and billing clerk in Decatur GA.

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