Due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and an aging population, the career outlook for medical billing and coding technicians is expected to grow at a rate of 22-percent through the year 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals in this field are responsible for organizing and managing health information and data for the purpose of billing patients and securing reimbursement from insurance providers.
This career requires an education beyond high school where candidates earn at least a certificate, and often an associate’s degree, in medical billing and coding. Certificate and degree programs are offered by private and public colleges and non-degree granting career training institutions that vary in duration and quality. Health Information Technicians can work in hospitals (37%), doctor’s offices (22%), nursing, residential care facilities (9%) and government agencies (5%), with a median income of $34,160.
Grantham University
Grantham was founded in 1951 to assist returning veterans. The school offers 38 accredited online degrees from certificates to master’s degrees. The university is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. The medical billing and coding associate’s program is fully online. The program provides training in both ICD-9, which is currently in use, and ICD-10, which will be in use in October, 2014. By providing training in both billing and coding, this program is considered a more robust education.
Herzing University
Granting degrees from associate’s through the master’s, Herzig offers students 30 different programs to choose from. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, this is a fully online institution. The medical billing and coding program awards graduates an associate’s degree, enabling them to seek a position in a doctor’s office, hospital or insurance provider. All courses allow students the flexibility to schedule their education around their personal and professional obligations. Graduates in the subfield of insurance billing and coding may continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, health information management or another related discipline.
Allied Schools
Allied’s medical courses include: medical billing, medical coding, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS courses. Financial aid is available for all students, along with 100 percent tuition reimbursement for active duty military and service members. Payment plans are available for students on a budget. Upon completion of courses, students receive memberships in professional organizations like the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Ultimate Medical Academy
Ultimate Medical Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and is a member of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities and the National Healthcare Association. Students have the option of earning either a diploma or associate’s degree in medical billing and coding. Diploma programs can be completed in 42 to 52 weeks; associate programs run 74 weeks. In addition to UMA’s robust online presence, brick and mortar campuses can be found in Tampa and Clearwater, Florida. Ultimate Medical Academy offers graduates job-search assistance throughout your career.
Allen School of Health Sciences
With campuses located in Brooklyn and Jamaica Queens, NY, as well as Phoenix, AZ, in addition to a virtual campus, Allen School of Health Services is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Allen is also licensed by the New York State Education Department and the Arizona State Board of Postsecondary Education. Medical billing and coding courses at Allen are diploma granting programs. Courses train participants to work in doctor’s offices and hospitals alike. Financial aid is available across a number of programs, medical billing and coding included.
Pinnacle Career Institute
Pinnacle has been educating students in a variety of trades at their campuses in Lawrence, South Kansas City and North Kansas City locations since 1953. More recently, they began offering classes online. Pinnacle is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, and it awards certificates and associate’s degrees to graduates. The associate’s program trains students in organization, billing and coding procedures, HIPPA compliance and more. Upon completion, graduates are ready take the CPC-A examination for their apprentice level certification.
Daytona College Online
Founded in 1951 as Florida’s first comprehensive community college, DSC has since expanded to include fully online courses, all of which are available to students regardless of location. Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission, and it awards both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Daytona offers several options for individuals interested in medical billing and coding careers, from medical assisting certificate programs to the medical billing and coding associate’s degree. Financial aid is available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and counselors are available for assistance.
Harrison College
With campuses located throughout Indiana, in addition to its fully online program opportunities, Harrison College offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including an AAS degree in Medical Reimbursement Technology. Harrison is accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission and the Accrediting Council for Independent College and Schools. Upon graduation, students have a working knowledge of medical terminology, diseases and treatments and are able to use medical office software to accomplish a range of tasks, including medical billing and coding. Financial aid is available from state and federal resources through the FAFSA application.
Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster has provided distance learning solutions for nearly 125 years. This institution awards undergraduate certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in a range of subjects, including medical billing and coding. They are accredited by six different organizations, including the accrediting commission of the Distance Education and Training Council and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The medical billing and coding program trains students in ICD-9 and ICD-10 coding standards. The program is designed to prepare students for real world workplace environments and AHIMA certification. All programs are student paced and flexible, enabling participants to complete coursework on their own schedule.
Sullivan University
As the largest private college in Kentucky, with campuses in Louisville, Lexington, an extension in Fort Knox and their online programs, this school offers career centric curricula that are intended to quickly move students from the classroom to the workplace. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Sullivan provides graduates with increased career opportunities. The fully online medical coding certificate program instructs students on how to analyze health information for billing and reimbursement purposes. Financial aid is available through federal programs and private and public scholarships.
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