Medical Billing & Coding Schools

Medical Billing and Coding Programs – On-Campus

Medical coding training schools vary widely. Some institutions offer exclusively brick-and-mortar experiences rather than distance-based coursework. The following programs are some of those designed for face-to-face instruction. Each program listed below has been accredited by the CAHIIM, which may be critical for future employment, advanced program admissions, and professional certification.

Oakton Community College: Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology

Oakton Community College’s AAS in health information technology is just one of the many training options at public community and technical colleges. Oakton describes its HIT program as an intersection of the medical, computer technology, and information management disciplines.

Courses emphasize many aspects of healthcare data, electronic health records, and health information management. Students can attend full-time during the day or part-time in the evenings.

According to OCC, HIT graduates are familiar with ICD-10 and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding systems and are ready to pursue Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification (more on this later). While the AAS in health information technology is primarily campus-based, students can complete some coursework online.

This AAS degree comprises 61 to 67 credits, including courses such as medical terminology, pharmacology for Health Record Documentation, fundamentals of Health Information Management, CPT coding, healthcare statistics and registries, electronic health records and applications, healthcare management and law for health information management, and quality improvement and assessment in healthcare.

OCC also offers a 16-unit medical coding and billing certificate.

• Locations: Des Plaines, IL; Skokie, IL
• CAHIIM accredited: Yes

Santa Fe College: Medical Coder/Biller Certificate

Santa Fe College’s medical coder/biller certificate is a postsecondary credential ideal for rising and entry-level professionals alike. According to SFC, MC/B students enrolled in this 37-credit program will feel just as comfortable with medical reference books as with a computer.

Coursework includes topics such as anatomy and physiology; introduction to healthcare and information management; medical terminology; basic procedure coding; pharmacotherapy; health law and compliance; and revenue cycle management, among others, plus practical instruction in two different disease classification systems. Students can choose between SFC’s one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) programs. All credits transfer to the institution’s AS in health information technology; an audit of the remaining 33 units of coursework is available online.

The health information technology associate in science degree is CAHIIM-accredited and comprises 70 credits. Courses include electronic health record and technology; data analytics and project management; RHIT certification exam preparation; healthcare statistics and data analysis; and continuous quality improvement and risk management.

• Location: Gainesville, FL
• CAHIIM accredited: Yes

Coppin State University: Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Coppin State University’s HIM program allows students to earn a bachelor of science (BS) degree while learning the fundamentals of medical billing and coding. Students pursuing a BS in HIM degree will master entry-level skills in the discipline at a higher level than an associate degree program would allow. For example, CSU says its students are specialists in managing patient data, verifying medical information is complete and confidential, and assigning health codes for insurance and research purposes.

Coursework also prepares learners to enhance the quality of health information, support administrative decision-making, and devise procedures that improve information security, giving graduates more critical skills that can come in handy when seeking post-graduation employment. When CSU conducted a survey of program graduates, 98 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the University’s HIM program.

This 120-credit BS degree includes courses such as orientation to health sciences; medical terminology; human anatomy and physiology; pathophysiology; pharmacology; financial accounting; introduction to computer and information security; fundamentals of HIM; health information systems, among others.

Coppin State University also offers a 47-credit master of science program in health information management designed to prepare professionals and students for senior-level career advancement.

• Location: Hagerstown, MD (near Baltimore)
• CAHIIM accredited: Yes

Medical Billing and Coding Courses

Organizations like the AHIMA devise medical billing and curricular coding objectives that align with workforce needs and future training or credentialing opportunities. Most schools try to create programs that meet those recommendations, creating standardization across their curricula. This is true for post-secondary certificates and degrees, online or on-campus.

The following courses are a sampling of common medical billing and coding courses picked from real programs across the US:

• Anatomy for the medical office specialist: This foundational anatomy and physiology course is geared toward medical coders specifically. Many advanced HIT programs and certifications require formal anatomy training.
• Foundations of medical coding: Foundations of medical coding speak to the core of medical billing and coding. In this course, students learn the ICD-10 and other common coding systems they will rely upon in the field.
• Medical billing software: Medical billing technology training is essential in the ongoing march toward fully electronic medical records. This course explores some of the most popular programs used to record charges, post payments, and design and generate reports.
• Physician- or Hospital-based coding: Setting-specific classes cultivate specialized, job-centered skills and prepare students for career advancement and certification. Coursework focuses primarily on non-ICD coding systems graduates might encounter in the field.
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam prep: Certified Coding Associate is an entry-level professional certification that verifies important skills and knowledge. Some CCA exam prep classes are a standard part of associate medical coding degree programs; others are optional or offered independently. The CCA and other common coding credentials are discussed in depth below.

Medical Billing & Coding Credentialing

Most employers only consider professionally certified medical billers and coders. Note that professional certification and postsecondary certificates are two different credentials: the former recognizes specialized knowledge in the field rather than education alone. In addition to its benefits to the healthcare system as a whole, health information certification is associated with better employment rates, higher earnings, and quicker advancement. Following are some of the most common medical billing and coding certifications available to qualified candidates.

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification is an advanced AHIMA credential accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Eligibility requirements are steeper than most certificates, which makes the RHIT more desirable than many other credentials.

The RHIT recognizes HIT professionals who demonstrate professional and technical expertise in their respective fields; comprehensive knowledge of HIT medical, administrative, ethical, and legal standards; strong management skills; and effective collaboration with colleagues from all levels of an organization. The passing score for the RHIT exam is 300.

Eligibility Requirements

• At least an associate degree from a medical billing and coding or health information technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), or
• Graduate from an HIM program approved by a foreign association with which AHIMA has a reciprocity agreement

Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

The Certified Coding Associate is an entry-level AHIMA-NCCA credential explicitly for medical coding specialists. CCA-certified coders are competent in all industry standards, in all healthcare settings, and demonstrate leadership potential. The passing score for the CCA exam is 300.

Eligibility Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent

NOTE: The AHIMA encourages CCA candidates to seek at least six months of direct coding experience or an accredited coding program before applying.

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

The AHIMA’s Certified Coding Specialist certification is a mastery-level credential for experienced coders skilled in classifying accurate medical information. Certified professionals are fluent not only in the ICD-10 but also in medical technology, disease prevention, and pharmacology. CCS candidates must pass the official CCS exam with a score of 300 or better (out of 400).

Eligibility Requirements

While not required, it is recommended that candidates must meet one of the following conditions:

• Current RHIT or CCS-P certification (see below)
• CCA certification plus one year of direct coding experience
• At least two years of related coding experience directly applying codes
• College coursework in anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, and others; plus one-year coding experience directly applying codes

Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-Based (CCS-P)

The CCS-P is a mastery-level AHIMA certification like the CCS, but it is specifically designed for coders who work in physician-based settings like doctors’ offices, group practices, or specialty clinics. Certified professionals demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system and working knowledge of ICD-10 and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) – Level II systems. All CCS-P candidates must pass the formal CCS-P exam with a score of at least 300 (of 400).

Eligibility Requirements

While not required, it is recommended that candidates must meet one of the following conditions:

• Current RHIT or CCS certification
• CCA certification + one year of direct coding experience
• At least two years of professional coding experience
• College coursework in anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and reimbursement methodology, among others; plus one year of coding experience directly applying codes