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Overview of Online Medical Billing & Coding Certificates

Have you ever seen a doctor's handwritten medical notes and wondered how that information actually gets translated from doctor-speak to something patients, office and hospital staff, and  insurance companies can read and understand? Moreover, have you ever wondered how health insurance providers know the specific types of medical services to bill for after you’ve been to the doctor? Of course, we all ponder this upon receiving an insurance provider’s explanation of benefits statement in the mail. A defined billing and coding system in place allows these various entities to communicate and assess patient charges accurately. This is where certified medical billing and coding professionals come in.

If you’re considering pursuing a career in medical billing and coding, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the different specialty areas in which you can earn medical billing and coding certifications and how doing so can impact your career path.

What Is Medical Billing & Coding?

Billing and coding are actually separate practices, but they work in tandem — often with one individual performing both tasks. Each function relies on a complex, global classification system of codes, which build patient health records by categorizing illnesses, injuries, and medical procedures. A medical coder's primary role is to read patient records, as transcribed by clinicians, and apply the correct codes to capture patient data. These codes translate information numerically for billing and analytical purposes, serving as a language between medical, insurance, and government entities. Medical billers are responsible for the financial side of the business. They decipher these codes to create patient bills and file insurance claims for payment.

To enter either field, you'll need a certificate or associate degree in medical billing or coding, either of which you can earn online. Students who opt for online certificates will learn about medical terminology, code systems, healthcare administration, healthcare information privacy laws and procedures, billing, and bookkeeping fundamentals. The most affordable certificate programs are usually offered through community or technical colleges, but some four-year colleges also feature online certificates.

What Are Medical Billing and Coding Certifications?

An individual with a medical billing and coding certification has gained in-depth knowledge and skills that demonstrate professional expertise in a respective niche. Although medical billing and coding professionals are often tasked with the billing and coding aspects of their job, certifications tend to reflect either one aspect or the other.

In short, medical coders are responsible for translating clinicians' medical notes and diagnoses concerning a patient and assigning medical codes that confirm the medical records. Once a patient’s medical codes have been assigned, medical billers create the patient’s bill and file the relevant health insurance claims. Online medical billing and coding programs help prepare you for certification in your desired area.

Certificate Requirements

Because medical coding and billing careers only require certificates, they often appeal to individuals who don't have the time, finances, or desire to pursue associate or bachelor's degrees. Whether you are enrolled online or in person, certificate programs are typically designed to take 27-30 credit hours. This works out to 9-12 months of full-time study. Additionally, these certificate programs require only a high school diploma or GED.

What Can I Do With an Online Medical Billing and Coding Certificate?

An online certificate in medical billing and coding can open the door to entry-level positions within the field and is often the first stepping stone to higher credential levels and specializations. Medical billers and coders are necessary in nearly every healthcare setting, from hospitals and urgent care clinics to long-term care facilities. Some graduates may go on to work outside of patient care at major insurance companies, government organizations, or in healthcare consulting. 

Medical records specialists earn a median of  $47,180 per year, according to the most recent data from the (BLS). Medical billing and coding is an industry with a variety of different career paths and education options. Many professionals continue their education with associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in medical billing and coding as well as related fields. Earning further certifications can also help boost salary and unlock new job opportunities.

How To Become a Certified Medical Biller or Coder

The first step to becoming a certified medical biller or coder is to participate in an online or in-person educational program specific to your desired type of certification. Individuals with a high school diploma or GED are eligible to pursue any number of professional coding certifications.

Although certification programs include content that is unique to their respective certifications, a common curriculum taught across programs includes topics such as professional ethics, billing and coding technologies, medical terminology, and patient confidentiality. Common curriculum elements are aimed at educating participants with healthcare industry knowledge, specifically. Some examples include coursework that coversthe Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and associated and . Certificate programs may also cover more generalized online courses in areas such as anatomy and physiology.

The final steps to earn a professional certification and begin your coding career involves registering for and successfully passing the respective certification exam. Most participants spend a couple of weeks studying and taking practice exams before sitting for their certification exam.

Career Opportunities in Medical Billing and Coding

Although "medical coder" and "medical biller" are generic titles for some jobs in the healthcare industry, the range of actual titles and duties can vary depending on an employee's certifications, workplace setting, and amount of experience. 

In general, the 2022 shows that those with core credentials, such as Certified Professional Billers (CPB) or Certified Professional Coders (CPC), tend to earn median salaries between $56,652 and $64,995. Those with advanced credentials, including Certified Professional Medical Auditors (CPMA) and Certified Professional Compliance Officers (CPCO), earn median salaries of up to $80,550 per year.

Earning an associate or bachelor's degree can help professionals boost their salary and progress their careers, but those with master's degrees see the highest salary increase as they qualify for advanced positions. Furthermore, the survey shows that those who work in large health or hospital systems earn the highest average salaries.

Industry Certifications

Students interested in niche areas of medical billing and coding can choose from over 20 . Through these programs, students can become  certified Ambulatory Surgery Center Coders, Certified Family Practice Coders, Certified Rheumatology Coders, and more. Because billing and coding graduates have so many choices of certifications, it's important to discuss the options with faculty and professionals currently working in the field.

Several professional organizations provide specialty certifications for medical coders and billers, so it can be difficult to know which one to obtain. Each group has different requirements for its certifications, but most require students to graduate from an accredited coding or billing program, work a set amount of time in the field, and join the organization as a dues-paying member.

We've detailed the two largest certification organizations below:

How Much Do Medical Billing and Coding Certifications Cost?

When reviewing the cost of obtaining a particular certification, there are several things you’ll want to include in your calculations, such as the program cost and certification exam fee. The exam fee alone runs anywhere from $200 to $400. If you are acquiring an industry certification through a certification-granting organization, you may also be required to purchase an association membership.

Beyond the minimal requirement of having a high school diploma or GED, there are multiple educational paths you can take in order to sit for your certification exam. The costs vary depending on your approach.

Certification-granting organizations, like the AAPC, offer customized industry certification prep programs that range from $2,500 to $3,500. Since these programs do not require the same time commitment and well-rounded education in healthcare and science topics, they are not considered as prestigious.

Ultimately, you want to choose a program that meets your personal and professional needs and provides a healthy work/life balance. Therefore, it's important to think about the potential indirect costs, financial and otherwise, for each option:

• What type of time commitment should you expect?
• If you work full-time, can you continue working at the same pace during your studies?
• Will a program's curriculum be sufficient to help you pass the certification exam at the end?
• Will you need to borrow students loans or apply for financial aid to pay for the program?

What Are the Benefits of Being a Certified Medical Biller or Coder?

Aside from the functional knowledge gained and official recognition of career field expertise, being a certified medical biller, coder, or specialist can make you a more marketable professional in your chosen specialty area. While a well-respected certification is an excellent resume booster at the most basic level, the benefits extend far beyond this new line of ink on your resume. 

Put yourself in the shoes of a hiring manager reviewing your application for a new job. The employer has combed through almost all of the applications, but nothing has really stood out. Most applicants have similar educational backgrounds, relevant work experience, and put together a visually-appealing and grammatically-correct resume. And suddenly, your application comes up in the review queue. 

Similar to two previously-reviewed applicant resumes, yours checks all the boxes: education, experience, and intangibles. However, there’s one thing in particular that clearly differentiates you from the other candidates, which is that you’re a (CCC).

A CCC certification shows your commitment to excellence in the medical coding niche, a strong professional drive, and a feeling that you’ll bring actual value to a cardiology clinic.

FAQs About Medical Billing and Coding Certifications