Medical Coding, Medical Billing
Accredited online and campus based schools that offer medical billing and medical coding training and education. |
Pathways to HIM Careers
(provided by AHIMA) |
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Medical Coding, Medical Billing
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding involves recording designated codes in patients' medical records. Each type of procedure or treatment has its own designated code that health insurance companies use to determine the reasons the patient was seen and what procedures and treatments were performed. The role of the medical coder is to ensure that each procedure is properly coded in accordance with industry standards.
What is Medical Billing?
Medical billing is vital to the smooth functioning of the medical office. Medical billers calculate the total amount due from a patient, prepare invoices to be sent out, and follow up to ensure that payment has been received. One of the most important responsibilities of medical billers is contacting insurance companies to negotiate payment or reimbursement on behalf of patients and doctors. Medical billers may have some interaction with patients to answer questions about health care finances.
Medical Coding Careers
| Health Care Technician
Insurance Verification Representative
Clinical Information Specialist
Health Information Specialist
Patient Services Coordinator
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Medical Records Specialist
Insurance Follow-up Specialist
Relationship Client Manager
Claims Processor
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No matter how quickly you want to enter the job market, remember to pursue a quality coding program. Although many schools promise a diploma or certificate in just months, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the two largest medical coding associations in the country, highly recommend pursuing quality programs of at least a year. This is an industry where a 2-year associate level degree will give you an excellent foundation and start to your career.
Medical Coding Certification
Getting certified is vital to a professional medical coder's career. Certified medical coders are preferred by employers seeking ethical, accurate, experienced, and professional medical coders. AAPC, founded in 1988, focuses on credentialing outpatient or physician-based medical coders. AHIMA, founded in 1928, is the leading professional association for health information management (HIM). AHIMA certifies HIM and coding professionals. Both associations offer entry level and advanced coding certifications. AHIMA offers additional credentials for professionals who wish to broaden their careers into health information technology and health information management by earning the RHIT or RHIA credential.
>> Read Guide on AHIMA Certifications (pdf)
Medical Coding Career Advancement and Salary Potential
Medical Coding provides opportunities for career advancement and increased salary potential. Coders can advance and broaden their careers by meeting additional education, experience, and certification requirements.
Average Medical Coder Salaries by Credential
| Coding Credential |
Average Salary |
| CCA |
$36,893 |
| RHIT |
$52,771 |
| CCS-P |
$55,673 |
| CCS |
$57,872 |
Data Provided by AHIMA, 2010
Medical Coders Career Outlook
The future for skilled medical coders is excellent. There are two major economic forces that cannot be ignored that will push the need for medical care -- the ARRA stimulus plan passed by Congress in 2009 is pushing the healthcare industry to become more data driven and the growing senior population in the US will require more healthcare services. Both will fuel the increase in demand for qualified professional medical coders. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a shortage of more than 50,000 qualified medical coding and HIM workers by 2015.
* Medical coding programs with an asterisk are "AHIMA approved". However, there is no official program accreditation currently available for this industry. |
Online Schools offering Medical Coding, Medical Billing |
Herzing University Online Editor's Choice
The Diploma program is comprised solely of the core courses required for individuals seeking entry-level employment in the field of Medical Billing and Insurance Coding. At 45 credits, the diploma takes approximately 12-18 months to complete. Career opportunities for Diploma graduates include Medical Billing Specialist, Medical Coder, and Insurance Claims Analyst. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.
This Associate degree program builds upon the core courses of Medical Billing and Insurance Coding Diploma by incorporating the general education requirements required for this level of degree. The Associate is 65 credits and can be completed in 16–24 months. Careers for graduates of the Associate Degree program are similar to the diploma, however Associate Degree graduates will have greater bargaining potential when seeking employment and promotional opportunities within the Medical Billing and Insurance Coding field. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.
Herzing University also offers:
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Bryant and Stratton College Online
Choose from Physician Coding Track or Hospital / InPatient Track The Medical Reimbursement and Coding (MRC) Program prepares students to sit for the national coding exams, or begin working in the coding and billing field. This unique program is formatted to specifically address, through core courses, a means to facilitate uniformity of terms, the structure and organization of the body systems, common disease processes, and common pharmacological treatments. The core courses provide students with a foundation on which they will complete the coding portion of this comprehensive program. After completing the mandatory core courses, students will have a choice of studying for Physician coding or Hospital/inpatient coding. While some coding professionals choose one type of coding based on their own interest and style, many coders are cross-credentialed and able to work in both arenas. The MRC Program prepares students with the information needed to choose one or both coding paths. Students will study and practice the skills that will help them gain national coding certification from either The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The comprehensive nature of the MRC Program fulfills all hourly criteria for both AHIMA and AAPC national certifying bodies. Students who successfully complete the MRC Program will be equipped to participate in the field of medical coding and reimbursement.
Prepare for a career in the growing healthcare industry by training to be a medical biller. The Certificate in Medical Reimbursement prepares students to take the national billing certification from the American Billing Association (AMBA). Students of this program take courses that cover medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, and billing and coding methods on both a basic and an advanced level. Students who complete and pass this certificate program can articulate these courses for transfer credit upon being accepted into a Bryant & Stratton College degree program.
Get on track for an exciting career in medical coding by taking the Certificate in Medical Reimbursement & Coding. This inclusive program will cover everything you need to know to be prepared to gain national coding certification from either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Students in this program learn medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, and coding methods starting from an introductory level up to advanced levels in either the physician or hospital track. Students who complete and pass this certificate program can articulate these courses for transfer credit upon being accepted into a Bryant & Stratton College degree program. Bryant and Stratton College also offers:
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Ultimate Medical Academy Online
The UMA Diploma program can be completed in less than 10 months and offers the core courses necessary for individuals seeking successful entry into the growing healthcare field. At 39 semester credits, the education and training focus is primarily on how to process healthcare claims, medical records, and the accurate coding of medical and surgical procedures using proper terminology. In addition, students will learn software systems used in the field.
Potential entry-level job position titles for Diploma graduates include Medical Billing Specialist, Medical Coder and Insurance Claims Analyst or other positions in private practices and healthcare providers or facilities. Students also prepare to take the Certified Professional Coding (CPC) exam offered through the American Academy of Professional Coding (AAPC).
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Ameritech College Online
Medical Billing and Coding
Associate of Applied Science
The objective of the Medical Billing and Coding program is to prepare individuals to perform the duties and functions of a medical billing and coding specialist. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability to: input patient information for coding and billing using medical software, use and understand medical terminology as it relates to coding and billing, organize information relating to patient medical records, and use CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPC for medical billing, coding, and completion of insurance forms.
This program is offered exclusively online in an asynchronous format. All program courses are designed for interaction between faculty and students and among students that encourages participation. This program provides students with a solid academic foundation and the critical skills needed in healthcare billing and coding practices, and the technologies that support them. Successful graduates will be well-prepared to enter the healthcare field as a billing and coding specialist as both physician-based and in-patient-coders, with a valuable level of general education, technological competence, interpersonal abilities, and a keen understanding of the value and importance of correct billing and coding.
Students may sit for a national certification examination offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) to become Certified Professional Coders (CPC). As an alternative, graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification examination offered by the American Health & Information Management Association (AHIMA) to become Certified Coder Specialists (CCS). Fees for either one of these exams, but not both, are included in the cost of the program.
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| National American University Online
The Healthcare Coding program will prepare student to become coding professionals in the healthcare workplace, accurately converting disease, injury and procedure descriptions documented in patient records into numeric or alphanumeric codes using coding manuals and encoder software. These codes assist in securing reimbursement for physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers. Healthcare organizations also use coded data for quality management, planning, marketing, and other administrative and research activities. To ensure the highest quality coding education, NAU is currently pursuing program accreditation through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to prepare program graduates for the certification examination to become Certified Coding Associates (CCA). Should you decide to further your education, this program will easily transfer into NAU's Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology.
National American University also offers:
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Harrison College Online
This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to apply coding classification systems for billing medical professional services to insurance companies, maintaining patient accounts, and performing billing procedures for optimal claim reimbursement. The student will be trained to utilize medical office software programs to input patient insurance and registration data, manage health information files, schedule appointments, and submit electronic claims forms. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of compliance with state and federal regulations and managed care policies. A high degree of accuracy and a working knowledge of medical terminology, diseases, and treatments are important skills for this profession. Employment opportunities include physician's offices, clinics, inpatient care facilities, medical billing management companies, and insurance companies.
Harrison College also offers:
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Sullivan University Online
Medical Coding
Certificate
This Medical Coding Certificate program prepares the graduate to analyze medical records and abstract data for the purpose of billing and insurance reimbursement. Medical coding specialists learn to transform narrative descriptions of procedures and diagnoses into numerical billing format. Graduates possess the skills necessary for employment in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and medical billing agencies. This program prepares the student for future certification with various professional organizations.
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Grantham University Online
Medical Coding
Associate of Applied Science
The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding & Billing provides the student with the skills needed to enter the medical coding and billing profession. After graduation, the student may take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, a medical coding and billing industry certification.
At the successful completion of the program, the student will able to:
- Explain the role and functions of different types of healthcare facilities and environments
- Explain medical terms and abbreviations that are commonly used in health information management systems
- Identify the constraints and guidelines that the Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) places on healthcare systems
- Utilize healthcare-related coding and billing software to support healthcare administration functions
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Rasmussen College Online
CAHIIM Accredited
Rasmussen's Health Information Technology AAS Degree program is accredited by CAHIIM and will prepare students to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Program topics include: basic, intermediate, and advanced ICD-9-CM coding, ambulatory care coding, pathology, health information technologies, and more.
Rasmussen College also offers:
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| DeVry University Online and Campus U.S. and Canadian Applicants
CAHIIM Accredited
DeVry's CAHIIM accredited Health Information Technology program prepares graduates to work with applications systems and manage electronic health information databases.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to take the RHIT certification exam.
DeVry University offers 7,500 scholarships up to $25 million each year to current and prospective students from the U.S. and Canada.
DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211
Program availability varies by location.
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| You may also be interested in Health Information Technology >> click to see all Health Information programs |
Campus Schools offering Medical Coding, Medical Billing |
| Alabama |
Virginia College Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery
 
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| Arizona |
Everest College Mesa, Phoenix
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Sanford Brown College Phoenix
 
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| California |
| Everest College Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Hayward, Los Angeles, Ontario, Reseda, San Jose
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| Institute of Technology Clovis, Modesto
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| U.S. Colleges Anaheim, Montclair, Riverside, San Diego, San Marcos
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| Colorado |
| Anthem College Aurora
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| Everest College Aurora, Colorado Springs, Thornton
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| Institute of Business and Medical Careers Ft. Collins
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| Connecticut |
| Sanford Brown College Farmington
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| Florida |
| Advanced Career Training Jacksonville
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| Florida Career College Brandon, Clearwater, Hialeah, Lauderdale Lakes, Miami, Pembroke Pines, W. Palm Beach
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| Jones College Jacksonville, Miami
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| Keiser Career College Green Acres
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| Sanford Brown Institute Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa
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| Southwest Florida College Ft. Myers, Tampa
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| Virginia College Pensacola
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| Georgia |
| Sanford Brown College Atlanta
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| Illinois |
| Everest College Chicago, Merrionette Park, Skokie
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| Sanford Brown College Collinsville, Tinley Park
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| Indiana |
| Sanford Brown College Indianapolis
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| Kentucky |
| ATA Career Education Louisville
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| Daymar College Louisville, Newport, Owensboro
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Southwestern College Florence
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| Louisiana |
| Herzing College New Orleans
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| Maryland |
| Sanford Brown Institute Landover
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| Massachusetts |
| The Salter School Fall River, Malden, Tewksbury
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| Michigan |
| Sanford Brown Institute Dearborn, Grand Rapids
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| Minnesota |
| Herzing College Minneapolis
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| Mississippi |
| Virginia College Biloxi, Jackson
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| Missouri |
| Allied College South Arnold, Saint Ann
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Everest College St. Louis
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| Sanford Brown College Fenton, Hazelwood, St.Peters
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| New Jersey |
| Dover Business College Clifton, Dover
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| Sanford Brown Institute Iselin
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| New York |
| Sanford Brown Institute Garden City, New York, White Plains
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| Ohio |
| Sanford Brown College Cleveland
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| Southwestern College Cincinnati, Dayton, Franklin, Tri-County
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| Oklahoma |
| Vatterott College Oklahoma City
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| Oregon |
| Anthem College Portland
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| Everest College Portland
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| Pioneer Pacific College Clackamas, Springfield, Wilsonville
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| Pennsylvania |
| Career Training Academy Monroeville, New Kensington, Pittsburgh
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| Sanford Brown Institute Monroeville, Trevose
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| Rhode Island |
| Sanford Brown Institute Cranston
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| Tennessee |
| Virginia College Chattanooga
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| Texas |
| Everest College Arlington-Mid Cities, Dallas, Ft. Worth,
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| Sanford Brown College Dallas, Houston, Northloop, San Antonio
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| Virginia College Austin
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| Utah |
| Everest College Salt Lake City
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| Virginia |
| Everest College Tyson's Corner
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| Sanford Brown College Vienna
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| Washington |
| Everest College Bremerton, Everett, Renton, Tacoma, Vancouver
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| Wisconsin |
| Sanford Brown College Milwaukee
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