Best Medical Billing & Coding Classes Online

Online learning is inherently flexible in that students can fit in their classwork between their day-to-day obligations. Medical billing and coding programs are especially flexible because they do not require a hands-on component. Since there is little to no patient contact in the course of the medical billing or coding job, students are not subject to the same requirements that some allied health professionals must meet (such as medical assistants and home health aides). This means students can complete their online coursework and be ready to move right into the workforce.

Since online programs don’t require the overhead of a classroom, they are naturally more affordable. In the case of medical billing and coding programs, the short length is also a factor in affordability – the less time a person spends in a program, the less they will pay to complete it. Affordability does vary depending upon the program itself, as well as the credential earned at the end of it – for instance, a one-year program resulting in a certificate will be much more affordable than a two-year program resulting in an associate degree – but in general, the medical billing and coding programs tend to be some of the more affordable short-term educational opportunities.

Medical billing: According to the AAPC, medical billing is “the process of submitting and following up on claims with insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered by a healthcare provider.” When a patient receives any sort of service, there is a code attached to that service – the code is then submitted as a claim to the insurance company, who is supposed to pay the claim within a certain period of time. The medical biller helps ensure that this happens, and that as a result, the revenue stream of the facility, office or the like continues to move smoothly. Medical billers stay right on top of the claims, communicate with insurance companies (and sometimes with patients as well), and make changes, update claims, or do whatever else must be done to get the necessary approvals that result in payment.

Medical coding: The AAPC defines medical coding as “the transformation of healthcare diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes.” The information necessary to create the codes comes from patient records. Medical coders review the patient records for every diagnosis, procedures performed, medical services rendered and the equipment used, among other points, then translates each into a particular code. The codes vary depending upon the classification system used. Those codes are then used by the medical biller to create claims that go to insurance companies.

Medical Insurance 101: Before you can code procedures or file claims, you’ll need to understand how insurance works. This course focuses on the ins and outs of the medical insurance industry. Similar courses concentrate on different types of insurance or coverage, such as Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, military insurance, workers compensation and more.

Anatomy: Landmarks and Divisions: In order to properly code and bill, you must understand the diagnosis, procedures and the like – and that means having a firm understanding of how the human body works. This course will focus on providing that in-depth overview.

Medical Terminology: Healthcare has a unique language all its own, and understanding the terms will help you learn to code and bill for the services rendered. This course and those similar to it will target abbreviations, symbols, special terms, and short-hand terms that combine all of the above.

ICD-10-CM Coding: This will usually be divided up into several modules or courses on different aspects of the complicated ICD-10-CM coding. You’ll learn how to find and use the proper codes for symptoms, complications, diagnosis, abnormal findings and much, much more.

Medical Records: This course will provide an in-depth understanding of how medical records are created, how to understand them, what to look for when finding codes for billing, and how to read both handwritten notes and electronic health records. Similar courses might go more in-depth on electronic health records, including the different types of software you might encounter.

Career Growth for Medical Billers and Coders

The future is bright for medical billers and coders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a projected growth rate of 9% from 2023 to 2033. Much of that growth can be attributed to a boom in healthcare, driven by an aging population, advanced technology that allows for more outpatient procedures, and the more common use of electronic health records. Those who are well-versed in different types of electronic health records can expect to have better job opportunities. Though most medical billers and coders will work in public or private hospitals, opportunities are also available in offices of physicians, outpatient clinics, administrative services or nursing homes. Depending upon the employer’s policies, some medical billing and coding technicians can work from home.

Those who start a career in medical billing and coding aren’t limited to staying in that position. There are many other career options that utilize health information technology, such as medical secretaries or medical transcriptionists. These positions allow medical billing and coding graduates to build upon their skills and knowledge to move into different parts of the medical field, and the work experience can hold them in good stead when they seek other positions, such as those in nursing or home health care.