Accredited Medical Billing & Coding Online Programs
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Medical coding and billing professionals are similar to translators; they translate a patient’s diagnosis, procedures performed, and medicines prescribed. They use an internationally accepted set of codes, so as to properly record health information and compensate healthcare providers. In just 12 months, you can earn medical coding certification online through several accredited diploma and degree programs.
Each time you visit a doctor, your medical history is noted, along with your symptoms, diagnosis, medicines prescribed, and finally, any procedures performed. A medical coder will translate this interaction into a set of codes. Next, a medical billing agent will prepare a claim for the insurance company based on these codes. Once the company evaluates the claim, the biller will verify it and inform the patient of the amount they owe after insurance has been subtracted.
In short, a medical coder and biller work in tandem to ensure that a healthcare provider is adequately reimbursed. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) shows that medical health records and health information specialists are growing at 8 percent, much faster than the national average for all occupations. Between 2022 and 2032, an estimated 16,500 new positions will be needed to work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and healthcare administration settings.
A few different types of codebooks help medical coders and billers do their jobs, such as the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) and the ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification).
Medical coders are well-versed in anatomy, physiology, medical procedures, and prayer policies and guidelines. To begin a career as a medical coder, one must complete training via a certificate program. A number of these programs are available online. Next, one must acquire certification from the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC), such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC), and Certified Outpatient Coder (COC).
Medical coding certification can be earned online in one to two years. Students become familiar with medical coding terminology, software, and code manuals. Some of the courses include physician-based medical coding, medical billing, medical terminology, sectional anatomy, reimbursement systems, and the legal aspects of healthcare.
The following article lists seven notable schools with certificate programs in medical coding and billing.
Featured Online Schools in Medical Billing & Coding
Drexel University offers a completely online medical billing and coding certificate program. The program covers learning principles found in the four main coding manuals: CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS. Experts in the field have carefully designed the curriculum.
Admission requirements for the program include a high school diploma or GED, a completed application, at least one official transcript from either high school or a previously attended college, and if the student has previously attended college outside of the U.S., TOEFL or IELTS scores. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required of applicants with degrees from foreign institutions as well.
Made up of 30 credits, the program provides students with an understanding of anatomy, software related to medical billing, and medical coding. Some of the topics students explore include practical applications in electronic health records; practical applications in healthcare reimbursement; pathophysiology for medical billers & coders; pharmacology for medical billers & coders; diagnostic coding; procedural coding; and understanding insurance, administration, and the law for medical billers & coders.
Furthermore, the 30 quarter credits earned in this certificate program can be applied as free electives toward Drexel University’s fully online BS in health services administration program.
Upon completing this program, students become eligible to take the associated national certification exams, such as the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CRMS) Board Exam, the Certified Professional Medical Auditor Board Exam, and the Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based Board Exam. Graduates of the program can pursue roles such as medical coding, medical billing, medical auditing, medical transcription, and medical records.
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
Washington State College of Ohio
The medical billing and coding certificate program offered by the Washington State College of Ohio is a comprehensive, three-semester, fully online program designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for medical billing and coding employment. It also prepares students for various certification exams, such as the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Exam and the Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) Exam.
Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for external certification exams, and the credentials earned are national, opening up employment opportunities outside of the state. The future outlook for careers in this field is above the national average, making it a promising choice for prospective students.
Admission to the program requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, and students are advised to have two years of coding experience. The program must be completed in three consecutive semesters, with a grade of “C” or above required in all courses.
This 36-credit certificate includes courses on health record management, current procedural terminology, healthcare reimbursement, advanced clinical classification system, revenue cycle and coding, pathophysiology, and clinical classification ICD 10-CM/PCS.
- Location: Marietta, Ohio
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Three semesters
Northwest Technical College offers an online certificate in medical coding. Students learn to manage and organize medical data such as training materials, medical facility records, medical research reports, and official documents. The program consists of 29 credits, including courses in medical office procedures; medical billing insurance; medical language applications; inpatient billing; medical terminology; and pathophysiology.
Most of the credits earned in this certificate program can be applied to the 60-credit associate of applied science (AAS) degree or the 40-credit medical coding diploma. Those looking to start a career in the field may find this program ideal for their upskilling needs. Graduates of this program are qualified for positions in healthcare facilities such as clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, dental offices, home health agencies, and roles in government agencies, insurance companies, and public health organizations.
Applicants must complete an online application and submit a high school transcript or GED and official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
Moraine Park Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College offers an online technical diploma in medical coding. All courses in this program are offered online and transferable into Moraine Park Technical College’s associate of applied science degree in health information technology. The program provides students with entry-level coding opportunities.
Graduates of this program become eligible to sit for the national CCA (Clinical Coding Associate) certification exam through the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Students can also opt to take the American Health Information Management Association’s CCS (National Clinical Coding Specialist) examination. However, it is recommended that students have at least two years of experience with coding before taking this CCS examination.
Admission requirements include completing the online application, submitting official high school (or college) transcripts, sending ACT scores, or taking the Moraine Park Technical College’s placement exam (students with a 3.25 GPA in high school or at least an associate degree can waive this requirement), and proof of proficiency in the English language for international students.
The program comprises 30 to 31 credits. Some of the topics include medical terminology; human diseases for the health professions; ICD diagnosis coding; basic anatomy; digital literacy for healthcare; intermediate coding; healthcare revenue management, and ICD procedure coding.
Students become adept at gathering health data, using electronic applications for supporting data collection and coding, reviewing medical documentation provided by healthcare providers, and assigning procedural and diagnostic codes using universally recognized coding systems.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to work as hospital outpatient coders, chargemaster auditors, ambulatory coders, acute care coders, physician specialty coders, insurance claims clerks and other positions focused on data analysis or coding.
- Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Central Maine Community College
Central Maine Community College offers an online associate in applied science degree in medical coding and electronic health records and a certificate in medical coding and electronic health records. Both degrees can be completed entirely online.
The associate in applied science in medical coding and electronic health records prepares students to become proficient in coding systems, computing common healthcare statistics, quality improvement standards, and patient privacy issues. The medical coding and electronic health records certificate trains students to handle specialized classification, record-keeping, and data entry related to treatment, medical diagnostics, insurance documentation, and billing.
Admission requirements for the program include a completed application form, official high school transcripts for all years attended or official GED test scores, official college transcript(s) from all colleges (if attended), documentation of all program prerequisites, and international students are encouraged to submit TOEFL scores.
The AAS degree consists of 60 to 62 credits, and the certificate consists of 28 to 30 credits. Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, health information management, CPT & HCPCS coding, ICD CM coding, medical specialties and pathophysiology, and medical ethics and law, among others.
Through these programs, students learn how to apply industry-standard coding guidelines to patient medical records, use electronic health records software, recognize factors that affect third-party reimbursement, and outline the responsibilities of a medical coder.
The program opens up several opportunities for graduates in hospitals, physician practices, clinics, surgery centers, home health agencies, and long-term healthcare facilities.
- Location: Auburn, Maine
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS (24 months), certificate (12 months)
Indian Hills Community College
Indian Hills Community College offers a 100 percent online diploma in medical insurance coding. This AHIMA-approved program prepares students for work in clinical offices, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities.
Students learn to organize patient care information, analyze and evaluate health information, and assign codes related to procedures and diagnoses.
The major admission requirements for the program include completing an IHCC application, submitting high school transcripts or high school equivalency diploma scores, and taking the ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER test.
Comprising 41 credits, the curriculum delves into basic anatomy and physiology; medical terminology; the essentials of health records; health law and ethics; diagnostic coding; reimbursement methods; procedural coding; and reimbursement methods. Graduates from this program are prepared to take the certified coding specialist (CCS) exam offered by AHIMA.
Students learn about official coding guidelines and reimbursement methodologies, medical terminology, disease processes, anatomy and physiology, signs and symptoms, and the multiple classifications and nomenclatures used in the coding process. Students also become adept at identifying discrepancies between supporting documentation and coded data. At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities in medical offices, hospitals, or other medical facilities.
- Location: Ottumwa, Iowa
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Northland Community and Technical College
Northland Community and Technical College offers an online associate in applied science (AAS) in medical coding. This medical coding specialist program trains students in procedures related to billing for medical services, including medical insurance claim processing, diagnosis, and procedure coding, and patient account management. The program faculty includes dedicated and experienced professionals.
The program’s curriculum consists of 60 credits and explores medical billing/insurance, CPT/HCPCS coding, ICD coding, medical coding ethics, interim CPT-HCPCS coding, interim ICD coding, medical terminology, and pathophysiology.
The program teaches students how to use medical terminology in all healthcare applications, utilize appropriate technologies for healthcare applications, accurately interpret healthcare records, manage and prepare records according to healthcare standards, and accurately perform procedure coding and diagnosis.
Upon completing the program, graduates can work in healthcare settings such as clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, dental offices, public health organizations, insurance companies, and government agencies. They may also be eligible to take one of the national coding certification exams.
Admission requirements for the program include completing and submitting an online application, an official high school transcript or GED, official transcripts from all schools, and an immunization form.
- Location: Thief River Falls, Minnesota
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 18 months
