Is There a 4 Week Online Course for Medical Coding and Billing?
Some medical coding and billing courses last just a matter of months, and you can finish a select few within a handful of weeks. But is there a 4-week medical coding and billing course available online, and is it worth your money?
Medical billing and coding are two of the fastest-growing careers in allied health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 7 percent growth in job openings in the field between 2021 and 2031. What’s more, both medical billing and medical coding are fairly quick to enter. Many programs take between four and six months to complete, with students who graduate from an accredited program sitting for the required certification exam. But the question many students are asking today is, “Can I earn my milling billing and coding credential even faster?”
Some medical billing and coding schools have accelerated programs for anyone looking to get a job quickly. But how fast is too fast? And will a 12-week program – or even a 4-week program – have the quality standards in place to prepare students for certification? This guide looks at fast-track medical billing and coding programs, including the 4-week online course in medical billing, which comes with its own set of pros and cons.
MedicalBillingCourse.com: 4 Week Online Course in Medical Billing
MedicalBillingCourse.com offers an online course in medical billing completable in about 4 weeks. Unlike some programs that combine medical billing and medical coding, this course focuses solely on the skills needed for effective medical billing. Utilizing a live simulation software program, students gain hands-on billing experience directly applicable to real-world scenarios.
Through experienced instructors and a live medical billing software program, students gain essential insight into their progress through instructor-graded exams and immersion in the practice of medical coding. Additionally, while this program can be completed in just three weeks, it is entirely self-paced, so you can complete the program however it best fits your schedule.
Through a practical curriculum requiring 50-60 hours of coursework, you’ll tackle topics that arise in the day-to-day operations of a medical billing professional. Topics include patient data, medical data, and revenue cycle management. Each student is assigned a course instructor and has access to a 24/7 student support forum.
Upon completion of this 100% online program, students receive Certified Medical Billing Professional designations. Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate degrees in health information management for students interested in continuing their medical billing education.
Top features of this program include:
- Hands-On Experience
A medical billing software program simulates real-world billing issues. The program utilizes practical study guides, helpful videos, and no-stress examinations you can re-take if needed.
- Real Instructors
Real instructors grade exams and answer questions to give you critical feedback that enhances your learning experience.
- Relatively Inexpensive
This $700 program enables you to earn your Certified Medical Billing Professional certification in 3-5 weeks.
- Job Placement
Upon graduation, you are placed into MedicalBillingCourse.com’s job placement database. Based on your location, this database helps you find a medical billing position to start your career.
- Practical Curriculum
After an immersive introduction to medical billing that covers topics spanning from insurance to claims processing, you’ll encounter essential billing elements like medical office forms, the insurance verification process, and the life cycle of a medical insurance claim.
MedCert’s 12 Week Medical Billing Specialist
MedCert’s 12-week medical billing specialist program offers 100% online technical training that leads to national certification. Topics covered include medical terminology, insurance benefits, and healthcare law. Additionally, students acquire practical knowledge about administrative work in a medical setting.
MedCert’s medical billing curriculum utilizes 3D animations, interactive activities, and game-based learning. This program is broken into two parts: an introduction to human anatomy and medical terminology, and insurance and billing essentials. Classes cover topics that include HIPPA laws, patient financial responsibility, and insurance verification.
In addition to a flexible curriculum, you also have access to various student services. MedCert provides student success advisors available 24 hours a day throughout the 11-week program. Other perks include a personal career services advisor and an in-depth exam preparation process.
Students interested in this online medical billing program must have a high school diploma or GED. Enroll by submitting your course registration and down payment. As this is an entirely online program, you need a reliable internet connection.
Top features of this program include:
- Virtual Content Delivery
This 100% online medical billing program utilizes various asynchronous teaching methods designed to keep you engaged.
- Professional Certification
This program prepares you for your Medical Coder & Biller Certification exam. Authorized through the American Medical Certification Association, your certificate tells prospective employers you’re prepared, boosts career options, and leads to higher pay.
- Extensive Student Services
Dedicated student success advisor assists you throughout your technical training, and career services help you secure a job after graduation.
- Flexible Payment Options
While this program’s $2,000 price tag may seem expensive, MedCert offers various payment options. For students unable to make the full, one-time payment, they offer a 12-month payment plan with 0% interest rates. Active duty military and their spouses have access to various financial aid options and tuition discounts.
- Job Ready in 12 Weeks
While there are obvious benefits to associate and bachelor’s degrees, this program offers a quick path to beginning your career in the medical field.
Career Step: 4 Month Medical Billing & Coding Program
Career Step’s 4-month medical billing and coding program supplies students with skills-based, interactive content to ready them for careers in the medical field. Boasting a consistently updated curriculum to reflect changes in the industry, you’ll have access to multiple certifications to enhance career options.
During this online certification prep program, students complete 577 hours of coursework. Course delivery is asynchronous, and you have access to course materials for one year. In addition to extensive certification prep, three main topics – foundations of health information management, biomedical terminology, and medical record coding – are also covered.
Alongside a consistently updated curriculum, Career Step offers various student support options, including access to one-on-one support with experienced instructors and a 24/7 technical support team through phone, live chat, and email. You’ll also have access to career advisors and a mentor program to assist you in securing your first medical billing and coding position.
Certification options available upon completion include certified professional coder, certified outpatient coder, and certified billing and coding specialist. Prospective students must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Top features of this program include:
- Job Ready in 4 Months
Students tackling this program like a full-time job can complete it in about four months, but you can access course content for up to one year.
- 3rd Party Certifications
The program prepares you for and includes certification testing for the certified professional coder, certified outpatient coder, and certified billing and coding specialist exams.
- Student Assistance
Students have easy access to instructors and technical support via phone, email, and live chat.
- Experiential Learning
Real-world simulations prepare you for scenarios you can expect in a medical billing and coding career.
- Flexible Payment Options
Career Step strives to find financial solutions for all prospective students. Additionally, all veterans, active-duty military, and spouses have access to tuition discounts and other financial aid options.
Herzing University: 8 Month Medical Coding Diploma
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), this private university offers a medical coding diploma you can complete in eight months. In addition to this short-term medical coding diploma, Herzing University also has various associate and bachelor’s programs focusing on the medical field.
Students enrolled in the medical coding track complete 25 credits over eight months. Taught by instructors with ample medical industry experience, they gain hands-on training that utilizes actual medical records. Required courses like medical terminology, ethics and professionalism, and introduction to anatomy and physiology introduce you to essential coding information while also covering healthcare-related topics. Coding courses include current procedural terminology coding, advanced coding, and international classification of diseases.
While a technical diploma can be a great start to a medical career, credits earned at Herzing also count towards an associate degree program in medical coding. Upon completion of the medical coding diploma, you are prepared to sit for coding certification.
Herzing University boasts six start dates per year, allowing you to fit this flexible online program into your schedule seamlessly. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Prospective students must also submit ACT, SAT, or Wonderlic test scores.
Top features of this program include:
- Regional Accreditation
Herzing meets all the institutional, administrative, academic, and financial benchmarks set by regional accrediting organizations. Not only do you get your money’s worth and have the option to move toward a college degree, but you’re also guaranteed a quality education.
- Diverse Curriculum
Rather than focusing solely on medical coding, Herzing students tackle various topics essential to the medical field, including patient privacy, medical terminology, and ethics and professionalism.
- Financial Aid
Herzing students have access to various financial aid options like scholarships and grants and discounted tuition rates for veterans, active-duty military, and their families.
- Certification Review
This online medical coding program supplies you with coding knowledge and prepares you for technical certification that shows potential employers you have what it takes to excel in coding roles.
- Transfer Credit
Your medical coding diploma earns credits toward a medical coding associate degree, which can enhance career options and prepare you for enrollment at a four-year institution.
Rasmussen University: 9 Month Medical Billing & Coding Certificate
Established in Minnesota in 1900, Rasmussen University now has 23 in-person campuses and is home to a deep roster of online degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs. Rasmussen’s medical billing and coding certificate is entirely online, and full-time students can complete the program in just nine months.
Rasmussen uses virtual labs to keep learners engaged. Through interactive classes with instructors and peers, students tackle virtual labs, practical case studies, and real-world coding and billing situations. You also have access to a seemingly endless list of resources like redacted patient records and simulation activities designed to prepare you for your career in the medical field.
Keeping up with changes in the industry, the program features coding and billing technology to provide foundational healthcare knowledge applicable to future academic and professional endeavors. Standard courses include coding foundations, health information law and ethics, and medical billing and coding practicum. Credits earned in this diploma track transfer seamlessly to Rasmussen’s other health-related undergraduate programs.
Prospective students need a high school diploma or GED for admission. This program is not available to residents of all states, so check with Rasmussen’s admissions department before enrolling.
Top features of this program include:
- Interactive Online Program
An engaging, interactive online platform enhances the online learning experience. Students interact with classmates and instructors and tackle real-world billing and coding scenarios.
- Student Support
In addition to having access to experienced instructors and faculty, online Rasmussen students have 24/7 tech support. Additional support includes seasoned tutors, career services, and a library with over 400,000 electronic books and reference materials.
- Transferrable Credits
Previously earned college credits can potentially count towards this online diploma. Additionally, credits earned through this medical billing and coding diploma can count towards an undergraduate degree at Rasmussen.
- Transferrable Skills
While some programs focus solely on coding or billing skills, Rasmussen introduces critical topics like medical information ethics, professional responsibility, and digital fluency. Students also gain soft skills like communication and teamwork as they collaborate with peers.
- Flexible Delivery
Rasmussen’s medical billing and coding diploma is 100% online to help you keep up with personal and professional obligations. Coursework is self-paced, and you can enroll either full-time or part-time.
Accreditation for Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs
Not all billing and coding diploma programs are accredited. While completing a non-accredited medical billing and coding program won’t necessarily prevent you from getting hired, the best online programs are accredited, and enrolling in an accredited program from a community college, trade school, or four-year institution does have benefits. Accreditation means an institution meets the academic, administrative, and financial benchmarks set by accrediting organizations, and this means you’re assured a quality education with quality instructors.
Both Rasmussen University and Herzing University hold regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Regional accreditation is the gold standard for colleges and universities. It also means your credits transfer to other regionally accredited institutions.
Additionally, earning professional certification from groups like the American Academy of Professional Coders (CPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) enhances your credentials. Alongside a solid resume and work experience, professional certification boosts career options and increases salary potential.
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