Medical billing and coding jobs offer excellent pay. With only an associate degree, health information professionals earn a median annual salary of $40,350 per year. Lots of online education programs have emerged to meet demand for skilled health information professionals. By the way, what are the best accredited online school for Medical Billing and Coding programs of 2021?
Best Accredited Online School for Medical Billing and Coding Programs
Here are some best accredited online schools for Medical Billing and Coding:
- Keiser University – Ft Lauderdale
For those who are looking for online accredited medical billing and coding schools should consider the AS in medical administrative billing and coding from Keiser University. This program gives administrative and clerical practices for Insurance claims, compliance and reimbursement. The students have to learn using medical language and classification systems to accurately code medical diagnoses and procedures, and also do administrative duties for healthcare practitioners. The 60-credit degree offers monthly start dates and needs general education and major credits.
The main courses include introduction to healthcare, medical office procedures with insurance, computerized medical office management, and anatomy and physiology with terminology and disease process. Also, the students have to complete a four-credit externship. The graduates qualify for entry-level employment and they can take the American Academy of Professional Coders credentialing exam as an apprentice. The requirements of admission include a high school diploma/ GED. Keiser University may accept up to 45 transfer credits earned with a grade of ‘C’ or better from accredited institutions. Aside from that, the students may receive credit for life experience, including military and on-the-job training.
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of the best accredited online schools for Medical billing and coding. The college’s associate in health information technology degree offers all coursework online, but the students have to complete an in-person internship at an approved local site. This program trains the students to do tasks which are important for healthcare practitioners. The learners develop critical thinking and communication skills and also advanced knowledge of medical terminology. Need to know that the 61-62-credit degree needs classes like digital literacy for healthcare, intermediate coding, health revenue management, and healthcare law and ethics. Also, the program needs a paid internship.
This two-year program features sequenced credential training which begins with a medical coding specialist certificate in the first year. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College may award credit for prior learning experiences, including past academic work, portfolios, military training, and industry-recognized certifications. For your information, the associate in health information technology is accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
- Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
Other best accredited online schools for Medical billing and coding is Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. It offers a medical billing and coding degree online program which takes two years to complete, though the students are able to get industry certification in only nine months. The associate of science in healthcare management prepares the graduates for entry-level positions in Medical billing and coding.
The students take classes like medical office administration services, introduction to anatomy and physiology, mathematics for healthcare professionals, and strategic management of healthcare organizations. Also, the program needs general education credits. The students are going to obtain communication, critical thinking, and management skills.
Aside from that, the students at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology have access to free tutoring, interview coaching, and also portfolio building assistance. The applicants have to submit proof of high school graduation or completion of a high school diploma, take an assessment test, and meet with an admission specialist. The students may require to complete additional courses depending on the results of Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s placement test.
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College
The students are able to obtain an accredited medical billing and coding degree online from Minnesota State Community and Technical College. The 64-credit AAS in health information technology and coding provides topics like diagnostic and procedure coding, revenue cycle management and data management of electronic patient records. The relevant curriculum is going to develop leadership, communication, and management skills while building knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computer applications, and pharmacology.
The main courses include intermediate procedure coding, essentials of human anatomy and physiology, healthcare management and analysis, and applied and professional ethics. Also, the students have to complete a practicum under the supervision of a qualified health information professional. The program may need additional developmental courses in writing, reading, and math, depending on students’ placement test scores.
The applicants have to submit their academic transcripts. Minnesota State Community and Technical College awards credit for prior learning, including relevant life, academic, military, and work experience. For those who are distance learners, they may qualify for financial aid, including scholarships from Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
- Northwest Technical College
Other best accredited online schools for Medical billing and coding is Northwest Technical College. It offers an associate of applied science in medical coding. The 60-credit program trains the students to use nationally recognized coding systems for classifying medical diagnoses and procedures. Also, the curriculum provides topics like pharmacology, pathophysiology, and the United States healthcare system.
There are some required classes include anatomy and physiology, medical languages applications, bioethical issues in contemporary society, and introduction to computers and medical applications. Also, the program needs general education coursework in areas like writing, public speaking, and business communications. Aside from the courses, the students have to complete an internship, obtaining practical experience in the field. The students may require to take college readiness courses in writing, reading, or math depending on their Accuplacer scores.
The graduates qualify for entry-level jobs in clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and government agencies. Northwest Technical College offers financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, to medical coding majors. All students pay in-state tuition, regardless of where they stay. Northwest Technical College’s Student Success Center offers online access to tutoring, study areas and library resources.
