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The healthcare industry is wide in Georgia, and you can choose to work in an administrative role.
Two of the occupations in this branch are coding and billing.
If you plan on building a career in this field, check out the info we have brought you in this article.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
In healthcare, workers use shortcodes to provide services and name various diseases.
These are called codes, and each is used differently.
As a medical coder, you will need to learn how these codes work.
In Georgia, you will need to know CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II coding.
The 3 major code sets are:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
You will also need to learn how to organize each code properly according to its usage.
What is Medical Billing?
When healthcare workers provide certain services to people, they also need to invoice them.
The invoices are delivered to the client but also the insurance company.
This entire process is called medical billing.
To learn how to make an invoice, you will have to learn specific terms.
You also need to know what the reimbursement process entails.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
In order to get a job in any of the above-mentioned branches, you need to train first.
After you finish your training, you need to get a certification based on the chosen branch.
For example, CPB certification is needed for billing and the CPC certification is needed for coding.
The certifications are offered through the AAPC, which is the biggest organization of this type in the country.
To complete the training, you will have to enroll in a training program.
The training program should be chosen according to the certification you want and the time you are willing to spend.
Most of the schools in Georgia provide training programs that last for only 8 months.
This will enable you to get started on your career path rather quickly compared to other fields.
You can take a course in person or attend one online if you already have a second job.
If you want to get a job right away, make sure to look for a program that provides job placement after receiving your certification.
Below you can see the schools that provide medical billing and coding training in Georgia.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 1704 South Slappey BoulevardAlbany, GA |
| Altierus Career College | 1750 Beaver Ruin Rd #500, Norcross, GA 30093 |
| ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SWAtlanta, GA |
| AUGUSTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 3200 Augusta Tech DriveAugusta, GA |
| CENTRAL GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 80 Cohen Walker DriveWarner Robins, GA |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 980 S Cobb Drive Dr SEMarietta, GA |
| COLUMBUS TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 928 Manchester ExpyColumbus, GA |
| DARTON STATE COLLEGE | 2400 Gillionville RdAlbany, GA |
| Georgia Medical Institute | 6431 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236 |
| GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE | One Maurice Culberson DriveRome, GA |
| GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 5150 Sugarloaf ParkwayLawrenceville, GA |
| HELMS CAREER INSTITUTE | 3076 Riverside Dr. Suite 700Macon, GA |
| HERZING UNIVERSITY | 3393 Peachtree Road, Suite 1003Atlanta, GA |
| LANIER TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 2990 Landrum Education DrOakwood, GA |
| LINCOLN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | 2359 Windy Hill RoadMarietta, GA |
| MEDTECH INSTITUTE-ATLANTA CAMPUS | 4501 Circle 75 Pky Ste D-4100Atlanta, GA |
| NORTH GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 1500 Georgia Hwy 197 NClarkesville, GA |
| OCONEE FALL LINE TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 1189 Deepstep RdSandersville, GA |
| OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE | One Joseph E. Kennedy BlvdStatesboro, GA |
| SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 5717 White Bluff RdSavannah, GA |
| SOUTH GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 900 South GA Tech ParkwayAmericus, GA |
| SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 501 Varsity RdGriffin, GA |
| SOUTHERN REGIONAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 800 Veterans Parkway NorthMoultrie, GA |
| SOUTHWEST GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 15689 US Hwy 19 NorthThomasville, GA |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 2807 Wylds Rd Ste BAugusta, GA |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 5601 Veterans ParkwayColumbus, GA |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 1901 Paul Walsh DriveMacon, GA |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 14045 Abercorn Street, Suite 1503Savannah, GA |
| WEST GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 176 Murphy Campus Blvd.Waco, GA |
If you want to get better career options, you can attend a program for certification in both billing and coding.
Expected Salary
In this industry, the wage you will receive varies based on your level of experience and training.
You do not have to attend high education to get a job, and all you need is a high school diploma or GED.
If you work in one of the bigger cities in Georgia, you have higher chances to get paid more as well.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $37,893 |
| Augusta | $35,617 |
| Columbus | $34,609 |
| Macon | $35,583 |
| Savannah | $35,809 |
| Athens | $37,625 |
| Roswell | $37,750 |
| Warner Robins | $35,476 |
| Albany | $35,213 |
| Alpharetta | $37,696 |
One of the benefits of working in this field is the possibility to work from home.
Other Info
Once you get your certification, it might be helpful to learn which are the best companies to work for.
There are 3 big employers of medical billing and coding professionals in Georgia are:
- Atlanta Medical Center: This center was founded back in 1901, and offers a 401k plan, health insurance, paid vacations, and dental insurance.
- Augusta Surgical Center: This company has been around since 1983 and provides dental and vision insurance, a worker’s assistance program, and paid time off.
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite: This hospital opened in 1928 and offers to its employees a flexible spending account, dental and vision insurance, and disability plans.
- This institution has at least 18 locations throughout Atlanta, making it one of the best employers for medical coders and billers in this area.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder
Medical Billing and Coding Classes by State