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Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools
checkup bill and gull degrees help students learn how to keep hospitals running behind the scenes. medical placard and coding — the processes used to communicate between healthcare providers and policy companies, american samoa well as patients — is a quickly growing field within the healthcare industry. Employment of health data technicians is projected to grow 11 % between 2018-2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) — a lot faster than the average for all other occupations .
medical bill and coding careers offer excellent wage. With just an associate degree, health information professionals earn a medial annual wage of $ 40,350 per year. According to the BLS, the clear 10 % of earners bring home more than $ 66,260 .
Dozens of on-line education programs have emerged to meet necessitate for skilled health information professionals. Included downstairs is a compilation of the 25 best on-line accredited checkup placard and tease schools. This rank offers important data for prospective on-line students, covering course of study subject, path delivery details, and entrance fee requirements.
What Is an Online Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Degree?
An associate degree in aesculapian charge and tease is a biennial technical program designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in the growing field of health information. Online accredited checkup placard and code schools attract a assortment of students, including high gear school graduates pursuing their first base career-track jobs and adults looking to change occupations .
Degrees in medical charge and coding train students for national code certificate exams and entry-level positions. They do this through a combination of naturally lectures, readings, and practical assignments .
Throughout the program, students study checkup terminology, homo human body, and policy plans and regulations, developing skills in medical ethics, affected role report management, checkup policy claim serve, and diagnosis and procedure tease .
Choosing an Online Program in Medical Billing and Coding
Deciding to pursue a aesculapian charge and coding degree on-line may be an easy choice, but finding the right school requires careful consideration of factors like cost, program format, and required in-person components. Take a look at the usher linked below for comprehensive tips regarding on-line course of study selection .
What Else Can I Expect From an Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Program?
An on-line associate academic degree in medical bill and coding normally consists of 60 credits of coursework, including general education classes, major core classes, and electives. The course of study prepares students for professional authentication through report of checkup terminology, procedure coding systems, and software applications in healthcare .
Featured Online Schools for Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Billing and Coding Curriculum
- Anatomy and Physiology: A course on anatomy and physiology examines the twelve major systems of the human body, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, and lymphatic systems. Students develop an understanding of appropriate medical terminology, cell and tissue structure, and how each system aids in maintaining human health.
- Health Information Systems: This course introduces students to information management procedures used in American healthcare settings. Topics include filing systems, data storage, electronic health records, and patient confidentiality. Health information management concepts and skills are applied to exercises and assignments throughout the course.
- Pathology: This course provides students with a better understanding of disease processes and how the human body functions. Coursework introduces research and evidence-based knowledge about common pathologies, diseases, diagnostic testing, and treatments of internal body systems. Students also learn medical terminology they’re likely to encounter in the workplace.
Certifications and Licenses
The american english Academy of Professional Coders ( AAPC ) is the global ‘s largest education and credentialing organization in the healthcare field, representing more than 190,000 members. Because aesculapian gull regulations, requirements, and standards have become increasingly complex over the years, most employers prefer to hire medical billers and coders with AAPC authentication, though they may allow modern employees to earn documentation soon after being hired .
AAPC provides gold-standard credentials for aesculapian charge and code professionals, including the Certified Professional Coder and Certified Professional Biller. Certification examination consist of 150-200 multiple-choice questions that assess proper application of codes and procedures. AAPC recommends an associate degree but requires no specific educational attainment for trial takers .
AAPC besides offers specify certificate options like Certified Outpatient Coder ( COC ) and Certified Professional Coder-Payer ( CPC-P ). COC candidates must have at least two years of medical coding experience .
Continuing education is required to maintain AAPC authentication .
The Best Online Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Degree Programs
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1. Keiser University – Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Students looking for on-line accredited medical charge and code schools should consider the AS in medical administrative charge and coding from Keiser University. The plan explores administrative and clerical practices for insurance claims, reimbursement, and submission .
Students learn how to use checkup lyric and classification systems to accurately code medical diagnoses and procedures and perform administrative duties for healthcare practitioners. The 60-credit degree offers monthly begin dates and requires both general education and major credits .
core courses include introduction to healthcare, computerized aesculapian office management, medical agency procedures with policy, and anatomy and physiology with terminology and disease procedure. Students besides complete a four-credit externship. Graduates stipulate for entry-level employment and can take the American Academy of Professional Coders credentialing examination as an apprentice .
admission requirements include a high school diploma or GED. Keiser may accept up to 45 transmit credits earned with a grade of ‘C ‘ or better from accredit institutions. Students may besides receive credit rating for life experience, including military and on-the-job education .
- School type : Private Nonprofit
- average net price : $$$$ $
- graduation pace : 65%
- Receiving Loans : 67%
View School Profile
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2. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Fennimore, WI
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranks among the top checkup charge and code accredited on-line schools. The college ‘s companion in health information engineering degree offers all coursework on-line, but students must complete an in-person internship at an approve local web site .
The course of study trains students to perform tasks that are all-important for healthcare practitioners. Learners develop critical think and communication skills and advanced cognition of medical terminology. The 61-62-credit degree requires classes like digital literacy for healthcare, health tax income management, intercede code, and healthcare police and ethics. The plan besides requires a give internship .
The biennial plan offers August and January start dates and features sequenced certificate educate that begins with a medical code specialist security in the first class. SWTC may award credit for prior learn experiences, including past academician work, military train, portfolios, and industry-recognized certifications .
The companion in health data engineering is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education ( CAHIIM ) .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- median net price : $$$$ $
- commencement rate : 61%
- Receiving Loans : 49%
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3. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
Media, PA
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers a aesculapian placard and coding degree on-line plan that takes two years to complete, though students can earn diligence certificate in just nine months. The companion of skill in healthcare management prepares graduates for entry-level positions in checkup bill and code .
The 65-credit program includes a medical bill and coding academy. Students take classes like checkup function government services, mathematics for healthcare professionals, introduction to anatomy and physiology, and strategic management of healthcare organizations. The program besides requires general education credits. Students gain communication, critical think, and management skills .
on-line students at P.I.T. have access to free tutor, interview coach, and portfolio build aid. Applicants must submit proof of high educate gradation or completion of a GED, take an judgment test, and meet with an entrance fee specialist. Students may need to complete extra courses depending on the results of P.I.T. ‘s placement quiz .
- School type : Private Nonprofit
- average net price : $$$ $ $
- gradation pace : 58%
- Receiving Loans : 87%
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4. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls, MN
Students can earn an accredit medical charge and coding degree on-line from Minnesota State Community and Technical College. The 64-credit AAS in health information technology and coding explores topics like diagnostic and operation cryptography, data management of electronic patient records, and tax income cycle management. The career-relevant course of study develops communication, leadership, and management skills while building cognition of aesculapian terminology, pharmacology, computer applications, and anatomy and physiology .
core courses include essentials of homo anatomy and physiology, intermediate routine gull, healthcare management and psychoanalysis, and applied and professional ethics. Students besides complete a practicum under the supervision of a qualified health information master. The course of study may require extra developmental courses in reading, write, and mathematics, depending on students ‘ placement examination scores .
Applicants must submit academician transcripts. M State awards credit for prior learn, including relevant life, military, academician, and work experience. Distance learners may qualify for fiscal aid, including scholarships from M State ‘s two foundations .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average net monetary value : $$ $ $ $
- graduation rate : 45%
- Receiving Loans : 57%
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5. Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, MN
One of the best medical bill and gull accredited on-line schools in the area, Northwest Technical College offers an consociate of use skill in medical code. The 60-credit program trains students to use nationally recognized coding systems for classifying checkup diagnoses and procedures. The course of study explores topics like pharmacology, pathophysiology, and the U.S. healthcare system .
Required classes include human body and physiology, bioethical issues in contemporary society, medical languages applications, and introduction to computers and aesculapian applications. The program besides requires general education coursework in areas like write, public speak, and business communications. In addition to courses, students must complete an internship, gaining practical have in the field. Students may need to take college facility courses in mathematics, writing, or learn, depending on their Accuplacer scores .
Graduates qualify for entry-level jobs in clinics, policy companies, hospitals, and government agencies. NTC offers fiscal aid opportunities, including scholarships, to aesculapian code majors. All students pay in-state tuition, careless of where they live. NTC ‘s Student Success Center offers on-line access to tutor, library resources, and report areas .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average net price : $$ $ $ $
- gradation rate : 42%
- Receiving Loans : 55%
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6. Minnesota State College Southeast
Winona, MN
Students seeking on-line accredited medical charge and tease schools should consider Minnesota State College Southeast. The school ‘s on-line checkup administrative assistant AAS comprises 60 credits, including 15 general education and 45 technical medical coding credits. In summation to coursework, students complete a practicum to gain experience in the field .
The course of study develops medical administration, communication, and clientele skills, preparing students for entry-level medical administrative positions in checkup centers, insurance companies, home health agencies, and extended care facilities. Graduates can besides continue their education through a bachelor ‘s program .
on-line students have access to academic rede and information engineering back. They besides qualify for the same types of fiscal aid as their on-campus counterparts, including loans, scholarships, and grants. Applicants can apply in less than 15 minutes. transfer students must submit transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Both in- and out-of-state on-line students pay the same tuition rate .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average internet price : $$ $ $ $
- graduation rate : 41%
- Receiving Loans : 47%
View School Profile
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7. Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, WY
Laramie County Community College is among the best aesculapian charge and cryptography accredited on-line schools. distance learners can pursue an AAS in health information technology and management through the college ‘s Health Sciences and Wellness Pathway. The program includes classroom teaching, clinical drill, and lab experience. Graduates qualify for immediate employment in the medical battlefield. They can besides transfer to a bachelor ‘s plan .
The course of study covers aesculapian record management and protective covering, coding for reimbursement, and health information management systems. Students learn to support staff and clinicians in hospitals, physicians ‘ offices, outpatient clinics, and genial health facilities. The biennial platform features stacked certificates, allowing learners to earn initial documentation in one semester and complete a checkup claims coding security over the adjacent three semesters .
The 63-credit AAS requires classes in healthcare quality and operation improvement, checkup agency adjective skills, calculator software for aesculapian position professionals, and health information applications. Students besides complete two professional drill experiences : one in code and the other in health information management. Students with low placement examination scores may need to complete developmental courses before enrolling in want classes .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average net price : $ $ $ $ $
- graduation rate : 28%
- Receiving Loans : 54%
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8. Cowley College
Arkansas City, KS
Students can earn a career-relevant checkup charge and coding degree on-line from Cowley College. The AAS in aesculapian code prepares students for medical coding positions in physicians ‘ offices, hospitals, and long-run care facilities. The program besides prepares students to pursue specialize national authentication through the American Academy of Professional Coders .
In this program, students learn how to accurately assign codes to aesculapian diagnoses and procedures. Required courses include initiation to health information, current procedural terminology code, reimbursement methodologies, and international classification of disease code. The program offers flexible on-line classes that follow an asynchronous format .
Applicants must submit validation of a senior high school school diploma or GED, ACT scores ( if available ), and placement assessment scores. transfer students must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Cowley offers scholarships for on-line medical tease students on a limited basis .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average net price : $ $ $ $ $
- gradation rate : 34%
- Receiving Loans : 40%
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9. Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA
indian Hills Community College offers an on-line AAS in health information technology that explores gross cycle management, medical terminology, legal concepts, and official cryptography guidelines. Students learn how to use park classifications and nomenclatures for tease, validate codes, and use a diverseness of health data systems. Graduates qualify to take the national documentation examination to become registered health data technicians .
The course of study includes classes in complaisance and risk management, essentials of health records, health information e-systems, and legal principles in healthcare. Students besides complete three professional experience courses totaling 540 clock hours and three virtual laboratories .
Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum 2.0 GPA and submit ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores. The program besides requires a criminal background see, physical and immunization records, and a drug screen. The college maintains professional liability coverage for health information engineering students .
The health data engineering AAS is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education ( CAHIIM ) .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average net price : $ $ $ $ $
- graduation rate : 33%
- Receiving Loans : 55%
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10. Highland Community College
Highland, KS
Established in 1858, Highland Community College was the first college in Kansas and nowadays serves more than 3,000 students per annum. HCC students can earn a aesculapian bill and coding academic degree on-line that teaches them how to assign codes to medical diagnoses and procedures for indemnity and placard purposes .
The fully on-line, 65-credit companion of applied skill in aesculapian coding program includes core classes like introduction to health information, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, healthcare computer applications and electronic encoders, and international classification of disease tease. Students culminate the degree with a capstone class and healthcare coding practicum .
HCC offers credit for prior learn and military aim. HCC besides has articulation agreements with 11 four-year institutions, which make it easy for graduates to transfer to bachelor ‘s programs. Graduates can besides take the license gull specialist and certified coding associate exams administered by the American Health Information Management Association .
- School type : Public Nonprofit
- average net price : $ $ $ $ $
- commencement rate : 35%
- Receiving Loans : 75%
Get Ranking Seal
Online Associate in Medical Billing & Coding Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, course of study, educate awards, rankings, and repute .
Our methodology
here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and wellbeing of our readers very badly. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make inform decisions about on-line education. That ‘s why we ‘ve developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center .
Our proprietary, multi-criteria rank algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is unprejudiced : Schools can not buy better rankings at TBS .
While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few datum points that we respect most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and on-line registration. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you ‘re getting when you use one of our rankings .
- Academics
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Affordability
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Online Enrollment
Data Sources
The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings .
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) is our primary informant. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education ‘s National Center for Education Statistics ( NCES ). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal fiscal care must participate in these surveys, which include questions about registration, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator .
additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and align rankings as necessary based on our collected cognition of schools and degree programs. Depending on the rate, we may obtain extra input signal from AcademicInfluence.com, subjugate matter experts, anterior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking .
Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
here at TBS, we value what you value : quality department of education, affordability, and the handiness of on-line education. These factors guide all of our broadcast rankings .
Each of these factors are farther broken down into slant subfactors. For model, memory rates are weighted more heavily than handiness of program options because they are a better indicator of scholar success .
We chose the follow factors for our rankings because of their influence on eruditeness experiences and graduate outcomes. however, students should constantly balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For exemplify, a learner who needs a fully on-line program may prioritize on-line flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decisiveness for you .
Academics – 75 %
Affordability – 15 %
Online Enrollment – 10 %
In all our educate rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and ampere stated in our advertise disclosure, we do NOT permit fiscal incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for fiscal gain .
If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page .
We thank you for your readership and trust .
Medical Billing and Coding Careers
checkup placard and code accredited on-line schools prepare graduates for a number of entry-level careers in the healthcare industry. Prior to pursuing employment, most graduates obtain master authentication from AACP, AMBA, or AHIMA. Job openings can be found in hospitals, doctor ‘s offices, or outpatient facilities .
The majority of graduates with a medical bill and coding academic degree try employment in placard and code. however, they may choose to embark on careers as medical assistants, health information technicians, or data analysts. extra education and certificate may be required for up mobility or placement in advanced positions .
Take a expect at three career options for graduates below .
$ 40,350
aesculapian Records technician
| median Salary : $ 40,350 | Projected Job Growth : 11 % |
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medical records technicians wield and organize patient records and early health information data. Using diverse classification systems, these professionals code and categorize information, assisting with policy reimbursements, clinical database sustenance, and maintenance of patients ‘ medical histories. They ensure the accuracy, approachability, and security system of both electronic and hard-copy files .
education requirements can vary by position, but many employers prefer aesculapian records technicians to hold an associate degree. documentation, such as the Registered Health Information Technician certificate, is typically required. To excel in this career, professionals need keen analytic and technical skills, american samoa well as a hard smell of ethics .
$ 36,860
bill and Posting Clerk
| median Salary : $ 36,860 | Projected Job Growth : 14 % |
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placard and posting clerks compile, calculate, and phonograph record numeric data related to the sale of goods or services. In a healthcare setting, aesculapian bill clerks chiefly work to prepare bills and invoices for medical services. The position involves frequent contact with patients to establish and follow up on requital arrangements .
education requirements for entry-level positions vary, but some employers prefer candidates with a biennial degree and relevant experience in a charge agency. charge and posting clerks in the checkup industry necessitate to understand medical terminology and must have excellent communication and calculator skills .
$ 34,800
checkup adjunct
| median Salary : $ 34,800 | Projected Job Growth : 23 % |
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checkup assistants handle a kind of administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities. Tasks may include recording affected role history, measuring vital signs, giving injections or medication, and scheduling appointments. In larger practices, these professionals may specialize entirely in administrative exploit, providing an ideal career for those with a academic degree in medical charge and cryptography .
Employers typically hire medical assistants with an associate degree or postsecondary security, though some have only a senior high school school diploma and determine required skills through on-the-job educate. These professionals need keen analytic, interpersonal, and technical skills .
Common Questions About Medical Billing and Coding Programs
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Program?
An associate degree in medical charge and coding takes approximately two years of full-time study to complete. many on-line programs besides allow half-time registration, which takes longer .
What Can I Do With an Associate in Medical Billing and Coding?
An associate degree provides students with the cognition and skills required for entry-level careers in medical charge and gull. top employers include hospitals and physicians ‘ offices .
How Much Do You Make in Medical Billing and Coding?
According to the BLS, checkup records and health information technicians — including checkup coders — earn a medial wage of $ 40,350. Wages vary by employer, placement, and experience .
What Is Medical Billing and Coding?
checkup charge and gull is the action by which medical providers and an policy companies communicate. They ensure that healthcare providers are properly paid for their services.
