Best Online Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Programs of 2021
February 11, 2021
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In 2018, billing and coding professionals earned a median salary of $40,350, significantly higher than the median pay for all other occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for all medical record and health information technicians will increase by 11% from 2018 to 2028, nearly double the projected rate of growth for the rest of the economy.
To qualify for these jobs, you must complete some form of postsecondary education. This page features a ranking of the nation's top online associate programs in medical billing and coding, along with links to additional information on the certificates, degrees, and career options available in the field.
What Are the Best Online Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Programs of 2021? Here Are Our Top 10:
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| #1 | Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls, MN |
| #2 | Central Texas College Killeen, TX |
| #3 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| #4 | Central Maine Community College Auburn, ME |
| #5 | Northwest Technical College Bemidji, MN |
| #6 | Highland Community College Highland, KS |
| #7 | Metropolitan Community College Omaha, NE |
| #8 | Laramie County Community College Cheyenne, WY |
| #9 | Minnesota State College Southeast Winona, MN |
| #10 | Eastern Gateway Community College Steubenville, OH |
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2021 Best Accredited Online Associate in Medical Billing and Coding Programs
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NCTC offers an online AAS for medical coding specialists. The program trains students in common medical billing processes, including patient account management, diagnosis and procedure coding, and insurance claim processing. Students must complete 60 credits to graduate, which takes full-time learners about two years.
The curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, and human disease conditions. Knowledge of these concepts helps students navigate the healthcare industry's coding systems. Students also explore the medical insurance system, looking at the various types of coverage and billing policies.
In addition to traditional coursework, NCTC's medical billing and coding program includes a medical simulation course that aims to provide an internship-like experience. Graduates qualify to take entry-level national coding certification exams.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Medical Coding Specialist
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $199/credit
- Credit Requirements: 60 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer, ACT, MCA, or SAT
Contact the School
CTC provides quality educational opportunities to a diverse student population. The college's affordable online programs cater to learners looking for technical or vocational degrees to launch a career or transfer into a four-year program. CTC offers a variety of degrees to distance learners, including an online associate in medical billing and coding.
The 60-credit curriculum includes general education courses in business english, composition, humanities, and the social sciences. The curriculum also reviews medical terminology, coding and classification systems, medical insurance, medical software applications, and pharmacology.
The program incorporates a clinical component that gives students the chance to practice course concepts in a professional environment under the direct supervision of a healthcare professional. Graduates are prepared for entry-level coding positions in healthcare.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Medical Coding and Billing
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $95/credit (in-district); $248/credit (nonresident)
- Credit Requirements: 60 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: ACT, SAT, or Texas Success Initiative Assessment
Contact the School
Keiser is a private university with campuses throughout Florida. In addition to several convenient locations, the university offers online degree programs for working professionals looking to develop in-demand skills. The university's program offerings include an online associate in medical administrative billing and coding.
The 60-credit program takes about two years to complete. Students take courses exploring medical law and ethics, pharmacology, computerized medical office management, coding, and pathophysiology. The program also requires students to complete a virtual coding practicum. The practicum gives students the opportunity to practice the principles of coding and billing in a professional setting.
Graduates are prepared to take the American Academy of Professional Coders credentialing examination.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Medical Administrative Billing and Coding
- School Status: Private
- Tuition: $9,904/semester
- Credit Requirements: 60 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: ACT, ASVAB, or SAT
Contact the School
Based in Auburn, Maine, CMCC offers a variety of affordable and convenient online programs. Students interested in a career in healthcare can consider the college's associate of applied science in medical coding and electronic health records. CMCC also offers an alternative certificate program in coding that takes less than one year to complete.
This online associate program focuses on the in-demand skills students need to qualify for coding jobs at hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, home health agencies, and insurance companies. The curriculum provides an overview of medical terminology, CPT and ICD coding, health information technology, and healthcare statistics. Students must also complete a practicum to graduate.
CMCC offers transfer-friendly programs that allow students to go on and pursue a four-year degree. Students should check with the admissions department at their chosen four-year school to verify requirements. CMCC boasts some of the lowest tuition rates in New England.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Medical Coding and Electronic Health Records
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $96/credit (in-state); $384/credit (out-of-state)
- Credit Requirements: 60-62 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT
Contact the School
NTC offers a variety of online programs, including an associate of applied science in medical coding. The program focuses on providing comprehensive training using nationally recognized coding systems.
The 60-credit program prepares students for entry-level coding jobs at hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, long-term care facilities, and government agencies. In addition to covering medical terminology and pharmacology concepts, the curriculum examines bioethical issues in contemporary society, general psychology, public speaking, business communications, and patient account management.
Prospective students must submit proof of high school graduation or a GED diploma. NTC does not require standardized test scores, but students may need to complete the Accuplacer exam to determine college readiness. NTC maintains a transfer agreement with Mayville State University that allows students to transfer all 60 credits toward an online bachelor of applied science in business administration.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $199/credit
- Credit Requirements: 60 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer
Contact the School
Based in northeast Kansas, HCC offers online associate degrees in roughly 50 subjects, including medical coding. This AAS program caters to busy professionals by allowing students to complete most program requirements entirely online through an asynchronous format. Most full-time students complete the program within two years.
The 65-credit curriculum covers foundational topics in composition, public speaking, science, math, and the humanities. The core curriculum includes an overview of ICD and CPT coding, pathopharmacology for health science, insurance and health information compliance, reimbursement methodologies, and legal and ethical issues in healthcare.
To graduate, students must also complete a coding practicum, which requires clinical hours at an approved healthcare facility. The program prepares students to sit for the national certified coding associate or certified coding specialist exams offered by the American Health Information Management Association.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science - Medical Coding
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $55/credit
- Credit Requirements: 65 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT
Contact the School
Students can pursue over 100 degrees at MCC, including an AAS in health information management systems with a focus in medical coding and billing. Students can complete this degree at any of MCC's three campuses in Nebraska or entirely online.
The curriculum takes about two years to complete. The program develops the skills students need to gain entry-level employment at healthcare facilities and insurance companies. Coursework covers topics like clinical coding, disease processes, introduction to insurance, medical terminology, and an overview of healthcare careers.
The program also incorporates an internship, an electronic health records lab experience, and a preparatory course readying students to sit for the Academy of Professional Coders Certification examination.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Health Information Management Systems - Medical Coding and Billing
- School Status: Private
- Tuition: $66/credit (in-state); $99/credit (out-of-state)
- Credit Requirements: 96 quarter credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT
Contact the School
LCCC offers nearly 80 associate degrees, including an online health information technology and management program. LCCC uses a multi-level approach that allows students to first earn a medical office essentials credit diploma or medical claims coding associate certificate; these programs typically take less than a year to complete and allow students to find jobs and begin their careers while continuing their education.
The 63-credit associate degree takes two years to complete. The curriculum includes courses in medical office procedural skills, health data management, problem-solving, and computer software for medical office professionals.
Students also complete a 40-hour professional practice experience before graduating. This experience gives students the opportunity to practice their skills in a clinical environment under the direct supervision of a healthcare professional.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Health Information Technology and Management
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $2,216/semester (in-state); $5,186/semester (out-of-state)
- Credit Requirements: 63 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: ACT
Contact the School
MSC Southeast offers over 100 majors in core career areas like business and management, education and human services, engineering and manufacturing, transportation, and the health sciences. In addition to on-campus programs, MSC Southeast offers 30 entirely online programs, including an associate program for aspiring medical administrative assistants.
The 60-credit program develops strong general office skills by offering an overview of word processing, spreadsheets, and the principles of business communication. The curriculum also covers medical terminology, medical insurance, anatomy and physiology disease conditions, and online communications.
Students learn from instructors with professional healthcare experience, and coursework uses real-life examples with clinical and hospital documents. Graduates qualify for entry-level positions in a variety of clinical and office settings.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Medical Administrative Assistant - AAS
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $177/credit
- Credit Requirements: 60 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer, ACT, MCA, or SAT
Contact the School
Based in Steubenville, Ohio, EGCC offers an online associate of applied science in health information management. The curriculum covers topics in healthcare statistics, reimbursement concepts, and registries related to health care. Blending concepts from health information and business management, this 66-credit program prepares students for a variety of positions, including medical coder, data analyst, and department manager. In addition, graduates are prepared to take the certification examination for registered health information technicians. EGCC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its health information management associate degree program holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Health Information Management - AAS
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $131/credit (in-state); $245/credit (out-of-state)
- Credit Requirements: 66 credits
- Program Length: 2 years
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Admission Requirements
- Standardized Tests: Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT
Contact the School
To meet the increasing demand for medical coders, cancer registrars, and professionals in similar occupations, more colleges and universities are offering undergraduate training in medical billing and coding. While this gives prospective students a wealth of options, it can also make it difficult to decide where to earn your degree. Our list of the nation's top online and fully accredited associate programs in medical billing and coding can help guide your search.
Our ranking includes information on each program's admission requirements, available concentrations, and financial aid opportunities. It also indicates whether online courses are offered synchronously or asynchronously, making it easier to know whether you can schedule your learning around a full-time job or family responsibilities.
For additional details about a specific program, including whether it accepts transfer credits from a specific community college or trade school, contact the school's admissions office directly.
In addition to information on accreditation and admissions, our comprehensive degree guide includes a breakdown of the job prospects and earning potential for medical billing and coding graduates in each state.
Degree GuideThe BLS projects that the healthcare industry will add 1.9 million new jobs across all job functions from 2018 to 2028. Our career guide will help you take advantage of the many opportunities available in this field.
Career Guide