Medical billing and coding schools can be found through vocational schools, technical schools, online universities and community colleges.  These medical billing and coding schools will teach students how to organize and collect a patient’s medical information for billing purposes.  Those that have graduated from a certificate or degree program will earn the education and training that will qualify them for entry level positions as a medical coder.

How to Get Started in this Field

Some medical facilities in the past have hired employees for the medical billing position and offered on the job training. These days an employer will not even look at an applicant’s resume unless they have completed a certificate or degree program.  The certificate or diploma programs that are available can take four to eighteen months to complete and will teach coursework in general education, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, ICD9 coding basics, advanced coding, medical law and ethics, encoding procedures, diagnostic procedure coding, coding software applications, information systems, pharmacology and medical coding.

To qualify for one of these programs the student will need to have their high school diploma or GED. Some medical billing and coding schools will require applicants to have basic computer experience and a background in medical terminology. A student may also be required to obtain liability insurance and undergo health testing before being accepted into a program.

The medical biller can work in private medical practices, hospitals, nursing homes and different types of out-patient facilities.  Those that have graduated from a program can qualify for entry-level positions such as insurance specialist, medical transcriptionist, billing and scheduling coordinator, medical administrative assistant and patient account rep.

The Degree Programs Available in this Field

The medical coding specialist two year associate’s program includes an education in coding, medical topics and computers.  Those that graduate from a degree program can meet eligibility requirements for professional certifications and advanced job opportunities.  During this type of program you will also work clinical hours in a professional medical setting, learning hands on training.

To qualify for an associate’s program the applicant will need to have their high school diploma or equivalent and can also require the completion of specific courses such as medical terminology, keyboarding and business communications.  These courses typically include courses in medical coding systems, medical diagnoses, medical treatments, pharmacology, information technology, office administration, medical leadership and advanced encoding.

Employers will require thirty six hours of continuing educational training and certification through the AAPC.  Those medical billing specialists need to renew their licensure every two years. These health care professionals need to apply for re-certification six weeks prior to license expiration.

The cost for certificate programs can range from 2,500$ to 4,000$, while the associate’s degree program can range from 3,500 to 5,000 each year.

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.