Medical billing and coding online schools offer certificate or associate degree programs that can take one to two years to complete. You can find programs that are accredited through AAPC through online universities such as the University of Phoenix, Kaplan University of Everest College. These online colleges feature low monthly payment plans of 65$ a month for a total of two years.
How Online Programs Work
You can sign up for a program online and will need to meet the minimum requirements of a high school diploma or GED. To begin your education you will need to wait one to two weeks for the ICD9 manual and other study materials to arrive in the mail. Once you’ve received these materials you can begin right away by logging onto the schools website, checking the syllabus and finding out which section to begin with. After you have completed each section you’re required to take a section exam. This is done from the study manual with the student filling out answer sheets that are provided by the school. The student will then need to mail in the completed test sheet and can expect to see test results online within a week. For final exams, this is done online and open book. The study materials included involve the ICD9 manual, anatomy flashcards, a medical coding software program, test sheets and a study guide for the assigned section. 
You can go at your own pace to complete one of these programs, however, some schools will give the student a sixty day requirement per section and will charge a fee should the student turn their work in late.
After you have completed a medical billing and coding online schools program you can find local testing centers that will administer certification exams, through your online school.
Required Continuing Education Courses and Alternatives for Medical Billers and Coders
As a CPC you will be required to earn thirty six hours of continuing education in order to qualify for license renewal every two years. To earn these required hours you can enroll in online courses through the university you’ve graduated from and receive a significant discount or they may even offer free exams or classes that will count towards the required hours.
To earn hours a professional can choose to take the online training courses or they can attend conferences or workshops related to the medical coding and billing profession. Specific guidelines for the required amount of hours can differ depending on which organization you go through to obtain your certification. To count towards the mandatory hours the hours of continuing education will need to be relevant towards the specific credentials that are being maintained. When the CPC attends lectures, seminars and workshops they will need to have signed proof of attendance.
