Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Virginia: Compare Top Programs
Choosing the right program is an important first step toward a successful career in medical billing and coding. This guide introduces the online medical billing and coding programs available in Virginia and explains what to expect from the field. You’ll also learn about the role of national certification and how it can help you build a strong, career-ready foundation as you explore your educational options.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
HealthcareMedical CodingPre-NursingWhy Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values.
Jump To Section
Inside Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs in Virginia
As you explore online medical billing and coding programs in Virginia, you’ll notice several options designed to fit different career goals, timelines, and budgets. Some programs focus on quick entry into the workforce, while others provide deeper academic preparation and transferable college credit.
Common program options include:
- Noncredit certification programs that cover essential billing and coding skills and offer a fast, low-cost route to entry-level roles.
- Certificate programs that provide more in-depth coursework, award college credit, and can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in health information or healthcare fields.
Below, we highlight three popular online medical billing and coding programs in Virginia to show how these options compare. Each profile outlines key details such as cost, curriculum, delivery format, program length, student support services, and eligibility for national billing and coding certifications.
Medical Billing and Coding Course – George Mason University
In partnership with online education provider ed2go, the Medical Billing and Coding course from George Mason University provides a quick and affordable route to certification eligibility and entry-level employment as a medical biller/coder.
Students learn how CPT Category II and ICD-10 codes work and how they are used in common billing and coding and gain hands-on practice with medical billing and coding software. Content is delivered 100% online in an asynchronous, self-paced format.
Course completion qualifies students to sit for the exams for the Certified Coding Assistant (CCA), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) national certifications. A voucher to take the certification exam of the student’s choice is included.
Students additionally receive an Externship Starter Kit that helps them gain valuable real-world experience as a medical biller/coder. Payment plans are available.
A standalone Medical Biller course option is also available to students not interested in training as a medical coder.
Duration: Self-paced (370 total course hours. Maximum of 12 months access to course materials)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $4,095 (total cost)
Admissions Requirements:
There are no prerequisites for taking this course. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to obtain any of the three national certifications.
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
- Introduction to Health Insurance
- Managed Healthcare
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
- ICD-10-CM Coding
- CPT Coding
- HCPCS Level II Coding
- ICD-10-PCS Coding
- Pharmacology for Coders
- Midterm
- Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
- Insurance Claims
- Commercial Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Medicare
- Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers’ Compensation
- Certification
- How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
- Final
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Advanced Medical Coder (Health Information Management) Career Studies Certificate – Reynolds Community College
Current medical coders seeking advanced-level coursework to add to their alternative coding, auditing, management, and supervisory skills will want to consider the Advanced Medical Coder (Health Information Management) Career Studies Certificate program at Reynolds Community College.
The curriculum consists of five for-credit courses that can be completed entirely online, entirely on-campus, or through a combination of online and campus-based classes. Graduates are qualified to fill advanced medical coding and management roles in hospitals and physician offices, as well as with insurance companies and government agencies.
The program features highly affordable public community college tuition rates. Several financial aid opportunities (including G3 tuition assistance) are available to qualifying students.
Duration: One year (two semesters)
Mode: Fully online, hybrid, and in-person options
Cost: $2,816 (in-state residents); $5,940.96 (out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Previously obtained professional certification from either the AAPC (CPC) or AHIMA (CCA or CCS)
- Demonstrated computer competency
Curriculum:
- Performance Improvement in Health Care Settings
- Coding and Reimbursement in Alternate Health Care Settings
- Health Statistics
- Fundamentals of Health Information Systems II
- Supervision and Management Practices
Medical Billing and Coding Course – Tidewater Medical Training
Tidewater Medical Training is a private vocational school with campuses in Hampton and Virginia Beach that offers a number of healthcare-related training programs, including this hybrid online and in-person Medical Billing & Coding course.
The course introduces students to the medical field and the responsibilities and duties of a billing and coding specialist. Students receive foundational instruction in payment processing and the CPT and ICD-10 codes used in medical records and patient billing.
Additionally, students gain an understanding of HIPAA privacy laws and regulations and their application in medical billing and coding practice. The 15-week course of study consists of 75 online and 45 classroom clock hours.
Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the exam for the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification.
Duration: 15 weeks (120 total course hours)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,655 (includes tuition, fees, books, materials, and supplies). Students must additionally pay an estimated $250 for current coding manuals.
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- No felonies
- Basic knowledge of computers and the internet. Student supplies their own computer and internet access.
Curriculum:
- Billing and Coding Office Duties
- Claims Process/Knowledge of CMS-1500
- Knowledge of Codes and Manuals
- Medical Terminology
- Payment Adjudication
- Regulatory Compliance
Answers to Popular Student Questions
It’s common for prospective medical billing and coding students to have questions that go beyond those answered in the program spotlights above. To help, here are the answers to five of the most often asked questions concerning medical billing and coding programs and careers in general.
Are medical billing and coding the same thing?
Medical billing and medical coding are not the same, but they are closely related and often carried out by the same individual.
- Medical billing involves the processing and submittal of claims for payment to patients and insurance carriers for medical treatments and services provided.
- Medical coding is the practice of converting medical treatments and services into a standardized form (alphanumeric coding) that is universally understood and used by healthcare providers, insurance companies, and others in their medical and billing records.
Medical billing and coding programs in Virginia may train you to perform one or both of these activities. So, be sure you have a clear understanding of exactly what practices a program will prepare you for before you sign up.
Is medical billing and coding hard?
It’s not hard, but whether medical billing and coding practice is hard for you will depend on your strengths. Basically, to become a successful biller or coder, you’ll need to possess skills, including a meticulous eye for detail, the ability to work with numbers and figures, a solid understanding of medical terminology, good communication skills, and competency in the use of computers and medical billing/coding software.
Medical billers and coders who intend to work remotely should be highly organized, self-disciplined, and comfortable with working independently. It should be noted here that your online medical billing and coding program will help you develop all of these skills.
Is medical billing and coding a good remote job?
Medical billing and coding can be an excellent choice if you’re looking for a job that lends itself especially well to working at home or from other off-site settings. Depending on your employer and specific job duties, you may be able to work remotely on a full-time basis. It’s not uncommon, though, for medical billers and coders to divide their time between working from home and working at their employer’s place of business.
Incidentally, medical billing and coding is just one of several healthcare-related occupations that can be done remotely.
Are online medical billing and coding programs in Virginia expensive?
They are not expensive, though program costs vary somewhat depending on the specific program provider and credential awarded. One of the biggest benefits of a career in medical billing and coding is that you don’t have to invest considerable time, effort, and cash into completing a full college degree program to get started. The cost figures listed in the program descriptions above offer a good idea of the range of program prices.
Financial aid opportunities are available to qualifying medical billing and coding students, particularly those in programs that award college credits. Funding resources include scholarships, grants, employer tuition assistance programs, work/study jobs, student loans, tuition payment plans, and more. Contact the programs you’re considering directly for details.
Is accreditation important in choosing a medical billing and coding program?
Yes, accreditation matters for some programs. Most postsecondary schools and many of their programs are vetted for academic quality through accreditation. If you choose a for-credit medical billing and coding program, you’ll want to confirm the institutional accreditation of the school that’s offering it. You’ll likely be able to do so by checking the school’s or program’s website. If you don’t see the information there, you can use this U.S. Department of Education accreditation search engine.
Most noncredit medical billing and coding courses are not accredited. Don’t let that worry you. What’s important is to confirm that any program you consider will qualify you for national certification. Most noncredit courses will indicate on their websites the specific certifications for which you’ll be eligible. If you’re not sure about certification eligibility, contact the course directly.
Certification and Continuing Education in Virginia
Neither state-issued licensure nor certification is required to work as a medical biller or coder in Virginia. In fact, there are no state-mandated requirements of any kind for medical billing or coding training. To find gainful employment in the state, you’re going to need some form of medical billing and coding national certification, which will require that you complete a formal training program like the ones mentioned in this guide.
You’ll also need to take and pass an exam given by the certification’s issuer itself. Examples of popular national certifications in the medical billing and coding field include the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AACP) and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
More advanced and specialized certifications are also available, many of which require completion of additional specialized training.
It’s typical for specific medical billing and coding programs to prepare students for one or two particular certifications, so be sure that you know which certifications a program you’re considering will qualify you for before you enroll.
Salary for Medical Billing and Coding Professionals in Virginia
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,780 | $50,250 | $80,950 |
| Virginia | $35,560 | $51,780 | $76,560 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $34,220 | $38,560 | $58,950 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $40,490 | $60,460 | $73,390 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $35,780 | $43,840 | $59,810 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $32,810 | $40,900 | $59,150 |
| Richmond, VA | $36,610 | $53,150 | $73,050 |
| Roanoke, VA | $33,390 | $46,150 | $66,960 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $33,310 | $45,640 | $62,420 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $34,260 | $49,500 | $72,860 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $33,750 | $41,850 | $62,330 |
Source: Medical Records Specialists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 194,300 | 210,900 | 16,600 | 8.50% | 15,000 |
| Virginia | 4,710 | 5,330 | 620 | 13.20% | 390 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Keep Learning
Virginia Online LPN Programs: Comparing Top Schools
Online BSN Programs in VA: Discovering Top Schools
Online ADN Programs in Virginia: Inside Top Schools
