Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools

The demand for medical billers and coders has grown in many settings, including hospitals, physician offices, insurance companies, and government agencies. High school graduates can enter this data entry healthcare career in 15 months or less.

Explore our guide to learn about the best online medical billing and coding schools and how to earn your certificate.

A medical billing and coding program can prepare you for certification as either a medical biller or a coder. Coders assign digital codes for medical procedures, diagnoses, and treatments using special classifications to describe what services a patient has received. A biller uses these codes to submit claims for payment to patients, insurance companies, and government programs.

You can earn certifications in fundamental skills, advancement skills, or specialty areas. Certifications include certified medical biller (CPB), certified medical coder (CPC), certified inpatient coder (CIC), and certified cardiology coder (CCC).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that medical billing and coding jobs are projected to increase by 9% between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than average. These professionals earned a median hourly rate of $23.45 in 2023. The median annual salary was $48,780 with the highest 10% making over $77,000 a year.

Several factors impact pay, including experience, location, and certifications.

According to the AAPC, California pays certified medical billers and coders an average yearly salary of $76,695, the highest in the U.S., while West Virginia pays the lowest at $52,556. Healthcare systems, hospitals and large group practices typically offer more employment options and higher compensation.

An online certificate in medical billing and coding provides a quick and convenient pathway to a career that does not require a bachelor’s degree. Our ranking of the best online programs can help you find a program that fits your own personal and career needs.

Select a program that prepares you for industry certifications and various medical billing and coding positions. Medical billing and coding programs offer similar courses in medical terminology, ethics and law, coding classifications, and anatomy and physiology. Depending on your interest, you may take classes in records management, health insurance reimbursement, and billing and coding applications.

Our rankings include accredited programs that meet high educational standards. The Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits medical billing and coding certificates and associate degree programs.

While a certificate is not required to sit for the CPC or CPB exam, completing a CAHIIM-accredited program builds the skills needed for these certifications and may increase your chances of becoming certified the first time.

Completion times depend on the format and whether you attend full- or part-time. It is possible to complete a certificate program in 4-15 months. Program requirements vary from 18 to 30 credits.

All certificate programs include a practicum or internship once students have completed the required coursework. Practicums provide you with valuable hands-on experience to improve your skills and provide networking opportunities to increase your chances for employment.

Graduation rates can tell you whether most students complete the program in a timely and uninterrupted manner. High graduation rates may indicate high academic quality and a strong student support system.

Online programs may offer a more affordable and convenient option than attending an in-person, especially if you need to work while earning your certification.

Although the exact format and requirements vary by program, you can typically complete your online medical billing and coding certificate in 1-2 years. Most programs require 18-30 credits.

“One thing that surprised me about obtaining a certificate in medical billing and coding was the low cost, compared to other careers — and the ability to be certified within 6-12 months, depending on the program you choose,” said Crystal Gray, the Revenue Cycle Director at Youme Healthcare.

Certificate programs in medical billing and coding typically require similar core courses and a culminating practicum. Students receive training in record management for medical patient data, health insurance and reimbursement, billing and coding applications, and how to use current procedural terminology and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

The cost of a medical billing and coding certificate program varies depending on the type of organization. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost for tuition and fees in 2022-23 was $3,598 at a public community college, $20,019 at a private not-for-profit college, and $16,444 at a private for-profit school. The cost of AAPC certification training ranges from $2,295 to $3,095.

Students save on educational costs in several ways. An online program helps reduce your total housing and transportation costs. You may qualify for discounted tuition by attending a school in your home state.

You should also investigate financial aid opportunities available through schools and professional organizations such as the AAPC, or specialized scholarships for students pursuing healthcare careers.

Sources: AAPC

Earning a certification can help you enter the medical billing and coding field without work experience, although you may need to complete on-the-job training once hired. Most employers are looking for experienced candidates with certification and related experience.

A certificate in medical billing and coding offers a relatively quick way to enter a well-paying career in the healthcare industry and become certified. Opportunities for certified professionals will continue to expand in response to the growing demand for healthcare services and the increasing reliance on technology by hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and insurance companies.

The certified professional biller (CPB) or the certified professional coder (CPC) credentials rank among the most popular for those just beginning in the field. The AAPC offers a dual CPB and CPC credential.

Learning medical billing and coding can be challenging to learn. You must master medical terminology, codes for many procedures and diagnoses and several types of billing and coding applications. The field requires sharp technical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail.

According to the 2023 AAPC Salary Survey, medical records specialists with professional certification earn an average salary of $62,689 annually. Those without certifications earn $53,749, almost $10,000 less a year.