Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Programs

What is a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist?
Medical billing and coding specialists are an essential part of the healthcare administration field specializing in record keeping and following up on patient treatment and payments. With an increasing trend towards electronic record regarding patients, medical billing and coding specialists are expected to be in demand through the next decade. A degree or certificate in this field can also be used to set up a home based business.




About the Degree
A certificate in this field after a high school education may be sufficient for meeting the criteria for entry-level positions. A certification program in medical billing & coding or health information technology may last anywhere from between three months to a year, taking even shorter or longer depending on the exact format, and includes courses in medical ethics, medical terminology, anatomy, auditing claims and insurance law. These programs can also be taken online, allowing you to save your time and money.

Career Prospects
After completing a certification program, students must then sit for an exam conducted by American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon successfully clearing the exam, one becomes a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Professional Medical Auditors (CPMA) or Accredited Record Technicians (ART). The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, that includes medical coders, will increase by 21% in the 2010 to 2020 period. The BLS further states that such professionals earned a median annual wage of $35,900 in May 2014, with those in the top ten percent making over $59,160.

How long does it take to complete a Mmedical bBilling and Ccoding Ccertificate Pprogram?

A medical billing and coding program can take around 4four to 6six weeks to complete. This time frame may vary according to the number of hours you can devote to the course. A typical medical billing and coding course would take 50-60 hours to complete and may make you eligible for certain certifications. If you intend to complete a certificate program, it may take up to 1one year to complete.

What are the requirements to get a Medical Billing and Coding Certificatemedical billing and coding certificate?

To become a Certified Coding Assistant (CCA), you will need a high school diploma at least, along with 6 months of work experience after completing an accredited certificate program. These programs include coursework which covers the most commonly used classification systems, such as CPT, DSM-IV, ICS-9 or the HCPCS.

How much can I earn after I complete a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate medical billing and coding certificate pProgram?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians made an annual median income of $40,350 in 2018. The minimum level of education for this occupation was a postsecondary nondegree award. The top-paying industry for this occupation was hospitals, with an annual median income of $43,470. The highest paying state for this occupation was New Jersey, paying $54,020 in annual mean wages. 

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:Can you tell me about the basic admission criteria for Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Programs?

A:The admission requirements of Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Programs will depend upon which school you enroll in. In most cases, you will be required to submit a high school transcript with a satisfactory CGPA. Other requirements may include a few letters of recommendation, admission test, and more. Take a look at our page for more information.

Q:How can I do the Medical Billing and Coding Training?

A:The admission requirements for the medical billing and coding training may vary from school to school, however some commons ones are: the completion of a high school diploma or equivalent GED qualification, a completed application form, letter of recommendation from a previous teacher, transcripts of previous study and some programs may also have a cumulative GPA requirement.

Q:With a Certification for Medical Billing, how much can I earn in a year?

A:With a medical billing certification, you can work as medical biller and coder. The median annual income level for these technicians was $34,160 in 2012 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth rate is fast and is expected to increase in the coming few years. These professionals can be found working in all kinds of healthcare institutions and health insurance companies.

Q:The duration of medical billing and coding programs is?

A:The duration of medical billing and coding programs will depend upon which school you enroll in. Some institutes are offering 6 month programs while other institutes are offering 8 month programs. You can also consider pursing medical billing and coding programs online. Take a look at our page to find out more about this.

Q:How long does it take to complete a certificate in medical coding?

A:The time required to complete a medical coding certificate can vary among institutes. However, certificate programs are generally short in duration and may take around six months to one year to complete. Online certificate programs allow a lot more flexibility in duration, as students can complete courses at their own pace.

Q:What is Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Programs?

A:Medical billing and coding short courses such as certificate programs are in high demand nowadays. Since this career field in the healthcare industry is growing, many students are looking for training/qualifications that will help them prep for the job. The program will cover a wide range of topics related to ethics, coding practices, healthcare insurance, and billing techniques.

Q:Can you tell me how billing and coding certificate online courses in TX are better than the on campus ones?

A:The billing and coding certificate online courses in TX have certain obvious advantages over the on campus programs. Online programs offer a lot of flexibility to the students. Students can study at their own pace and at the time which is suitable for them. Online programs are also for people who cannot afford to give up their jobs and other responsibilities to acquire education. With online education, you also save on additional costs associated with on campus education such as travelling and textbook costs

Q:Can i become certified medical billing and coder with a certificate from us career institute?

A:Yes, you can become a medical biller and coder. However, there are many other institutes that are offering well-rounded programs in the area of medical billing and coding. These programs can also be completed online via distant learning schools. You will have to acquire a certification to become a professional biller.

Q:Is certificate program enough to become a medical coder?

A:No specific degree level is required for a career in medical coding. But you need to have a thorough understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology as you will be required to document the services provided to patients by summarizing the information and assigning appropriate codes to different service levels. It is advisable to obtain a certification to work as a certified professional coder by passing the CPC exam.

Q:As I read about the Medical Billing and Coding certification online programs, there was mention of the course on Business Law. What are the contents of this course?

A:It is common to get to read about the course on Business Law while going through the Medical Billing And Coding Certification Online programs. These courses are designed to provide strong understanding of the basic level principles of business law. Hands on experience is also added in this course for a much stronger understanding of the field.

Q:Should I go for a medical billing and coding certification?

A:A medical billing and coding certification will allow you work in one of the fastest growing careers. You will be required to assign the correct medical code to the service provided and then converting that information into a proper billing statement. There are some excellent career growth prospects and you can also work from home.

Q:Are there any online Medical Billing and Coding Certificate programs?

A:Yes. There are a bunch of medical billing and coding certificate programs offered online. These are being offered at some of the famous and accredited online institute that include: Penn Foster Career Schools, Kaplan University, Virginia College,Grand Canyon University,and Fortis College.

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