Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs in Illinois

Looking Inside Medical Coding Programs in Illinois

As you consider your future career in medical billing and coding, it’s important to know your training program options.

Illinois online medical billing and coding programs range from short-term certification preparation courses to full associate degree programs. The majority of programs, however, are certificate programs that feature a combination of online coursework with in-person components like campus-based labs and in-person clinical experiences typically attended at local medical facilities.

Which program type is right for you will depend on a number of factors, including your education and work histories, as well as your short-term and long-term career goals.

To give you a better idea of what you’ll encounter during your program search, here are spotlights of three online billing and coding programs currently offered in Illinois:

FAQs for Illinois Medical Coding Students

As you work your way through this guide and your program search, it’s natural for several questions to come to mind about the medical billing and coding education process as well as medical biller/coder careers. To help you in this regard, we’ve answered below five questions frequently asked by prospective medical billing and coding students.

How do I become a medical biller/coder in Illinois?

There are three general steps to becoming a medical biller and/or coder in Illinois:

• Get admitted into a medical billing and coding education program. There are few, if any, requirements for admission into most online medical billing and coding programs in Illinois. It’s important to note here, however, that a high school diploma or equivalent is required to obtain professional medical biller/coder certification.
• Complete your medical billing/coding education program. Program requirements, completion times, and costs vary depending on the specific credential type (certification prep, certificate, associate degree) chosen.
• Obtain professional certification. Once you have completed your education, you’ll want to obtain any of several national professional certifications in the medical billing and coding field. More on certifications below.

How much does medical billing and coding pay in Illinois?

Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2024, medical records specialists in Illinois enjoy some of the highest average annual earnings in the nation. This is especially true in the Chicago metro area, where the average salary for a medical records specialist in 2024 was $56,290. (Detailed information on salaries below.)

What you actually earn in your Illinois medical biller/coder job will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Specific employer
• Specific job title and duties
• Geographic location
• Your level of work experience

Is medical billing and coding worth it?

The short answer is yes. But whether a career in medical billing and coding is really worth it depends on you and your personal and professional goals, but short- and long-term.

Medical billing and coding can be a worthwhile career choice for those interested in entering the medical field quickly while also offering stable job security and room for professional growth. Additionally, medical billing and coding roles are often remote, allowing you the flexibility to work from the comfort of your home.

So, depending on the type of career you’re looking for, working as a medical biller/coder may be the ideal fit for you.

Is medical billing and coding hard?

“Hard” is a subjective term. But while medical billing and coding can be challenging, it is a skill that can be learned with proper education and training. How “hard” you find medical billing and coding work will depend mostly on your pre-existing skills and how you learn best.

If you have a keen eye for detail, an interest in medical systems, and the willingness to learn how to navigate complex healthcare regulations, then you are likely well suited for medical billing and coding. People who are natural problem-solvers may even find the challenges of the job rewarding and interesting.

Is medical coding a good remote job?

Medical billing and coding is an excellent job choice for almost anyone seeking remote work.

Many healthcare organizations and insurance companies today offer fully- and partially-remote medical billing and coding opportunities to qualified job seekers. And those opportunities are expected to grow into the foreseeable future due to the increasing adoption of electronic medical records and remote access technologies.

Working remotely can help promote a healthy work-life balance, saving you time and energy that you can apply to the rest of your family and life responsibilities. Plus, if you’ve already accustomed yourself to working remotely through an online education program, you’ll likely be able to get started at a remote job with relative ease.

MB&C Certification in Illinois

At present, there are no official state licensure requirements to work as a medical billing and/or coding professional in Illinois. You’ll find, however, that most employers prefer or require medical biller/coder job applicants to possess one of a number of national professional certifications.

Common medical billing/coding professional certifications include:

• Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)

Once you’ve obtained professional certification, you’ll be required to renew it on a regular (often annual or biannual) basis. This will require, in most cases, earning a stated number of continuing education (CE) credits during each renewal period along with paying a certification renewal fee.

Salary Potential: Medical Billers and Coders in Illinois

Top Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs in Illinois