{"id":6940,"date":"2022-03-01T11:13:04","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T10:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studyabroadnations.com\/?p=6940"},"modified":"2023-03-29T20:02:09","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T19:02:09","slug":"top-13-medical-billing-and-coding-online-courses-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studyabroadnations.com\/top-13-medical-billing-and-coding-online-courses-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 13 Medical Billing And Coding Online Courses Cost","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Medical billing and coding require healthcare professionals who are skilled in IT and possess a high level of eye-to-details. This is because they review patient data for completeness and accuracy, key in information into databases, and process payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These professionals can acquire the education and training required to excel in the field online but it does not come cheap. Hence, this article will detail the top medical billing and coding online courses cost. You will also learn about online medical billing and coding schools that offer scholarships, affordable medical billing and coding online schools, and free medical billing & coding courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the table of contents below to view the highlights of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is medical billing and coding?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Medical billing and coding involve recognizing diagnoses, medical tests, treatments, and procedures contained in clinical documentation and then reproducing this patient data into standardized codes to bill government and commercial payers for physician reimbursement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms, medical billing and coding is the process of sending information to insurance companies and processing patient payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever a patient receives medical services, the medical coder takes the patient’s file and translates the services into universal codes for insurance companies. Once the insurance company gets these codes, medical billers communicate the amount owed to both the patient and the insurance company through a bill. Sometimes, the bills come in the form of physical letters or emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the cost of medical billing and coding certification?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cost of acquiring a medical billing certification online is $749<\/strong>. If you wish to study in a local trade school to acquire a certification, it will cost between $1,000 and $2,500<\/strong>. On the other hand, pursuing an associate medical billing and coding program in an accredited college will cost $8,000 to $19,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I obtain a medical billing and coding certificate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Acquiring a medical billing and coding certification opens the door to several opportunities such as a higher salary or better job prospects for you over people without certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To acquire a certificate in this career, the first step is to pursue a medical billing and coding program in an accredited institution. However, some persons may choose the traditional route of acquiring the certification online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are the pathways for acquiring a medical billing and coding certification:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certificate or Diploma Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first pathway toward earning a medical billing and coding certificate is through a certificate or diploma program. Both programs differ. Certificate programs can be completed in a shorter time and they have more restrictive curricula while diploma programs have more comprehensive curricula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students who wish to enter the workforce immediately can opt for the certificate program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost of these programs ranges from $800 to $4,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Degree Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pursuing an associate degree program in healthcare administration will set you up for a medical billing and coding certification. Although it is more expensive than the certificate or diploma program, the associate degree program is preferred by employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, professional certifications including the Registered Health Information Technician exam and the certified professional biller certification require candidates to possess at least an associate degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an associate degree in healthcare administration, you can apply the credits toward pursuing a bachelor’s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost of the associate degree ranges from $6,000 to $13,000 and it takes two (2) years to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BA Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earning a bachelor’s degree in health information management or healthcare administration will give you an edge while pursuing a career in medical billing and coding. This will give you the comprehensive education and training required to excel in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes about four years to complete the program and the cost of the program is between $36,000 to $120,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training Courses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A body like AAPC offers training courses to students who wish to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. These courses are mostly taken online. They are designed for students who wish to become certified professional coders (CPC), certified outpatient coders (COC), or certified inpatient coders (CIC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, students can access AAPC courses in a traditional classroom setting in their neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students who take the AAPC courses and pass the certification exams can acquire certification and secure jobs using the certificate. They may choose to acquire a higher degree in the field by pursuing an associate’s or bachelor\u2019s degree through an accredited program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accredited Medical Billing and Coding Schools Online With Financial Aid<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Students who wish to acquire education and training in medical billing and coding may not only visit the campus but can also acquire the education online. These online schools are accredited and some of them offer financial aids to students who do not have funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the accredited medical billing and coding online schools that offer financial aids to their students include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n