Your Guide to Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Michigan
Embark on a journey towards a healthcare career that aligns with your goals through Michigan’s diverse range of top medical billing and coding schools and classes. Our guide is here to help you discover the best medical billing and coding program for you.
So, you’ve decided to pursue medical billing and coding classes online in Michigan, or maybe you’ve just begun to consider it. Either way, we applaud you for wanting to know more! There are a lot of things you need to consider before getting started, including the cost of courses and what they’ll teach you, admission requirements, the length of the program, and specialization options, as well as the faculty teaching the courses, and the program’s accreditation.
This may sound overwhelming, but you can narrow down your options according to your interests, needs and goals. For example, if earning a certification is important to you, you need to make sure the program you choose will help you meet certification requirements. You’ll also want to consider if courses are offered in a way that suits your learning style. If you enjoy learning remotely or have a busy schedule, research whether courses are offered online or whether flexible scheduling is available. If your budget is your primary concern, you’ll want to prioritize getting a quality education within your price range by checking if programs offer financial aid. Still not quite sure where to start? No worries, we’ve got you covered. This step-by-step guide to online medical billing and coding classes in Michigan has everything you need to know to feel confident about taking the next step in your educational journey. Keep reading to discover which schools made it onto our list.
Jackson College
Jackson, Michigan
Public
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Private
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan
Public
Gogebic Community College
Ironwood, Michigan
Public
Kirtland Community College
Grayling, Michigan
Public
Medical Billing and Coding Skills for Student Success
In order to be successful both academically and professionally, you need to develop more than just knowledge in your chosen subject. There are certain skills all medical billing and coding professionals must have to do their jobs well. Here are a few of the most important ones you should consider honing as you move forward.
Adaptability to Technology
Everything is online these days, and medical billing and coding is no exception. To be successful, you’ll need to be familiar with the software and programs specific to medical billing and coding, which you’ll learn in your certification program. You’ll also need to be able to keep up with changes to software and programs as they evolve. If you don’t consider yourself particularly tech-savvy, know that entering this field may be more challenging for you.
Attention to Detail
Medical billing and coding professionals’ responsibilities are often complex and detail-heavy. To succeed in school and in the field, you’ll need to be able to work efficiently and accurately with great attention to detail. Small mistakes or inconsistencies can cause major hang-ups and cost companies, and patients, both time and money.
Commitment to Confidentiality
A medical billing/coding career entails dealing with sensitive patient information on a regular basis. You will need to be able to handle this information with discretion to safeguard your patients from breaches in privacy and your employers from liability. You’ll need to follow proper security procedures and keep your equipment, such as laptops, safe and away from prying eyes.
Strong Communication Skills
Medical billing and coding professionals are responsible for communicating detailed, often complicated, information, clearly and concisely. While you’ll be able to do the bulk of your work on your own, you will also need to communicate with healthcare providers and insurance companies.
Finding a Medical Billing & Coding Program in MI: What to Consider
Remember that long list of factors you needed to consider when picking the right online medical billing and coding classes in Michigan? We’re going to walk you through each one of them and address why they matter and what you should look for when evaluating them.
Accreditation
Accreditation is essentially a guarantee of quality. For example, Dorsey College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. There are both program-level accreditations and school-level accreditations. When a program is accredited, it means the curriculum has been reviewed by professional boards and associations who found that the courses meet a certain standard. Accredited programs are far more likely to prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to receive the state certifications you are looking for. In short, if a school or program you’re looking at is not accredited, look elsewhere.
Cost & Financial Aid
Cost is an important factor when it comes to your education, so make sure you’re carefully researching all your options to find a program that fits your goals and your budget. While different schools have different tuition rates, you should be able to find all tuition information for online medical billing and coding classes in Michigan on the school website. Don’t forget to check for financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned.
Curriculum & Certificate Preparation
When choosing a program, you want to look closely at the curriculum, especially if you want to earn a certification. There’s no point in pursuing a program if you won’t be able to obtain the certification you want once you complete it. Make sure to check that the program offers a well-rounded, in-depth curriculum that meets those requirements. Kirkland Community College prioritizes exam-preparation and has certification exams embedded in its curriculum.
Program Format
Medical billing and coding classes in Michigan can either be taken in-person, online, or in a hybrid format (a combination of in-person classes and online coursework). Online courses are ideal for students who need flexibility to balance professional and personal commitments. If you pick an online format, remember to check if the course is completed asynchronously or synchronously. While some programs allow you to complete the coursework at your own pace, others require you to meet at specific times via video conference.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Medical Billing & Coding Certification
Before fully committing to a program, take the time to consider if this profession is right for you. Every career path has its costs and benefits, and you should be familiar with them before giving a lot of your time, energy, and money to the required education. Below, we’ve addressed a few pros and cons of the medical billing and coding field to give you a realistic idea of what to expect while pursuing it.
Pro: Flexibility to Work from Anywhere
If you want the flexibility to work where you want, when you want, then this path could be perfect for you. Medical billing and coding professionals often work remotely, which means they can work from pretty much anywhere. Some employers even offer flexible work hours, with both full-time and part-time options available.
Pro: Growing Demand for Medical Billers and Coders
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for medical records specialists are expected to increase by 7% by the year 2031. This growth is consistent with most professions in the healthcare field and guarantees that demand for medical billing and coding professionals will increase. This demand creates competitive salaries and job openings around the country.
Pro: Opportunity to Keep Learning
In the field of medical billing and coding, you’ll always have the opportunity to continue learning. Since the medical field is constantly evolving, you will be required to evolve with it. You’ll need to stay up-to-date with the latest skills, techniques, procedures, requirements, and technologies. This constant change in rhythm can help fight against the monotony of doing the same tasks day in and day out.
Con: Likelihood of Billing Challenges
Medical billing and coding comes with its own set of unique challenges. In this field, you’ll be required to deal with insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients with questions, on a regular basis, as well as correct and follow up on any billing errors. While difficult, this is an essential part of this job. If the thought constantly managing and troubleshooting issues like these is off-putting, this career may not be for you.
Con: Limited Patient Interaction
If you love working independently, then limited patient interaction may not sound like a con at all. However, you may be disappointed if you were hoping to work with patients directly. While medical billing and coding professionals play an integral part in the healthcare machine, they are strictly behind-the-scenes workers.
Con: Potential for Monotony
If you’re someone who needs novelty in your work, this may not necessarily be the best path for you. Medical billing and coding involves many repetitive tasks with little variation in work or in work environment, making this a dull career for those who prefer a bit more excitement, and an excellent one for those who want to know exactly what their workday will include.
Answering Your FAQs About Michigan Medical Billing & Coding Programs
So far, we’ve covered program highlights, necessary skills, and pros and cons of this career, but you may still have questions. Below we’ve compiled a short list of some of the most frequently asked questions about online medical billing and coding classes in Michigan to address any lingering concerns you may have.
Are medical billing and coding classes ever offered online or part-time?
Yes, and yes. Most universities in Michigan offer their medical billing and coding classes online both synchronously and asynchronously. However, each school and program is different, so always be sure to check the program details when researching programs. Each school’s website should tell you whether the program is available online and whether part-time study options are available. For example, Davenport University offers its medical billing and coding program online.
Are there any prerequisites for medical billing and coding programs?
Each school will have different requirements for its programs, so it’s important to examine programs individually when checking for prerequisite requirements. Typically, earning a certificate or diploma won’t have many (if any) prerequisites besides age and a high school diploma/GED. However, if the program you are considering is embedded in a degree such as an associate or bachelor’s degree, it’s reasonable to expect some prerequisites. Central Michigan University doesn’t require any prerequisites for its online medical billing and coding classes.
How much do medical billers and coders make in Michigan?
The median salary for medical billers and coders in Michigan is $46,660, or $23.43/hour, but wages differ across specific positions. While you’ll likely come across positions that pay more/less than this, you can expect your salary as a medical billing/coding professional to be close to this amount.
What certification exam(s) do I need to take before I can start working?
In order to start working, you will need to receive certification. You can obtain certification by taking one of several options available in Michigan. The two most common certification exams are the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification and the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) certification. These are both offered by the American Association of Professional Coders. You must complete at least one exam before you can start your career in the healthcare field.
What is the process for applying to a medical billing and coding program?
Like everything else, this will depend on the specific program/university and its unique requirements for admission into its medical billing and coding classes. Some of the most common requirements are a high school diploma or GED, an ACT or SAT score, and an admission essay. As this is an undergraduate certificate, you will not need any kind of college degree. In fact, some schools only require certain biology courses to be completed, such as Washtenaw Community College.
