Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs in California

Inside CA’s Medical Billing and Coding Training

Once you start your medical billing and coding program search, you’ll quickly realize there are many different paths to getting the education and training you need. These include basic certification courses, certificate and diploma programs, and even associate degrees. Each program type has advantages and disadvantages, depending on your professional and personal goals.

We’ve spotlighted below three California schools currently offering different types of medical billing and coding education programs to help you decide which format is right for you. These spotlights give you a solid idea of what to expect regarding admissions requirements, curriculum content and delivery formats, program lengths and costs, national certification preparation, and more.

Student FAQs: Medical Billing & Coding in California

While we’ve covered many medical billing and coding program basics, you likely have lingering questions about training and careers in CA. Below are five FAQs for medical billing and coding students to hopefully help answer some of those questions.

What’s the difference between medical billing and medical coding?

Medical billing and medical coding are actually two separate activities, although they are often (but not always) taught together and practiced by the same professionals. And, in turn, it’s why they’re both covered in this guide.

In simple terms, medical coding involves using standardized alphanumeric codes in medical and insurance records to record medical services (procedures, treatments, etc.) in a language understood throughout the healthcare and insurance industries. Medical billing, on the other hand, has to do with the processing and submittal of claims (typically using medical codes) to patients and insurance companies for reimbursement. Medical billing and coding programs in California provide training in one or both of these activities, so be sure you have a clear idea of exactly what a program teaches before you enroll.

What skills do I need to be successful as a medical billing and coding student and professional?

A medical billing and coding career is an excellent choice for many, but it’s not for everyone. Along with the hard skills you’ll gain in your MBC training, there are numerous soft skills essential to becoming a successful medical biller and coder. Among the most important are attention to detail, a good head for numbers, strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies.

Medical billers and coders working remotely must additionally be highly organized, self-disciplined, and comfortable working independently. It’s useful to have a strong foundation in some or all of these soft skills before starting your online MBC program, but you can rest assured that your program will help you develop those that need work.

Is financial aid available to help me fund my medical billing and coding education?

The figures listed in the school spotlights above offer a good idea of what California’s online medical billing and coding programs cost. As they indicate, those costs can vary substantially depending on a number of factors, chief among them the specific program and credential type (certification course, certificate, or associate degree).

The good news is that there are financial aid opportunities out there to help qualifying students pay for the medical biller/coder education. Included are in-house scholarships and grants, tuition payment plans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and (for some for-credit programs) federal student loans. Your best bet for locating funding assistance for your medical billing and coding program is to contact the financial aid offices at each school you’re considering.

Is accreditation important when choosing a medical billing and coding program?

Accreditation is a critical component of any quality medical billing and coding program, serving as an assurance of the quality of the program and school. All of the California MBC programs mentioned in this guide (as well as all others you’ll likely find in your program search) are properly institutionally accredited.

Don’t take accreditation for granted, though. You’ll want to confirm the current accreditation status for every program you consider. Accreditation information is often provided on program and/or school websites. If you don’t see it there, you can check accreditation status by using this Department of Education search engine.

Is there room for career advancement in the medical billing and coding field?

Absolutely. In fact, there’s a wide variety of job options that medical billers and coders can pursue throughout their careers. Completion of your basic medical billing and coding training, along with obtaining basic national certification (such as the CBP or CPC), will qualify you for almost all entry-level positions with titles like Certified Medical Biller and Coder, Medical Records Clerk, Medical Insurance Specialist, and many others. However, advancing to mid-career and senior positions may require additional formal training, specialized national certification, and/or a set number of years of professional work experience.

Medical Billing and Coding Certifications

California does not license medical billing and coding professionals or mandate any specific education requirements to work as a medical biller or coder in the state. However, you will need both formal education and training — as well as national certification in the field — to find work as a medical biller or coder in California (or anywhere else in the U.S., for that matter). That’s because virtually all employers require job applicants to possess an industry-recognized national certification, which, in turn, requires the completion of an accredited medical billing and coding education program.

Some of the most popular certifications for entry-level medical billers and coders include the AHIMI’s Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and AAPC’s Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC). Other certifications may require additional specialized training and/or work experience. Also, national certification holders will need to keep their credentials active by meeting certain renewal requirements on a regular basis which, in most cases, will include completion of a given number of continuing education units (CEUs) within each renewal period.

How Much Do Medical Billers and Coders Make in California?