Medical Billing and Coding

According to the AAPC 2023 Salary Survey results, non-certified medical records specialists average $53,749 per year, while certified medical records specialists can average $62,689 annually — 15% more than their non-certified colleagues.

Medical billers and coders are responsible for processing patient data, including medical records and related insurance. In this position, you will code a patient's diagnosis and then request payment from the patient's insurance company. You will play an important role in ensuring that healthcare providers are quickly and accurately paid for the treatment they give patients.

Medical billers and coders work in a variety of settings. The most common settings include hospitals, doctors' offices, and insurance agencies. Some medical billing and coding professionals work for companies that develop medical software, and some work for education institutions that work to train other medical billers and coders. Government agencies have also been known to employ medical billers and coders including the National Center for Health Statistics and Medicaid offices. You may also work for a reputable company from your own home as the AAPC reports that remote work is currently up to 63%!

A day in the life of a medical biller and coder is a rewarding one. You are responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers receive appropriate compensation for the care they provide as well as helping patients get the maximum benefit of their insurance. It is a job that requires a high level of attention to detail at all times because codes must be correct to produce appropriate bills for services. Much of your time will be spent in front of a computer organizing statements, reviewing bills, and performing quality control. You also may be required to negotiate with insurance companies via phone on behalf of providers or patients. It's also important to coordinate with other coders to ensure accuracy and adherence to standards. Finally, you'll want to keep up on the latest developments and regulations in the industry through continuing education.

Medical billers are mainly responsible for submitting patient records to government agencies and insurance companies for services that have been provided in the care of the patient. Medical coders gather information on patient records and assign the proper codes for patient diagnosis which are then used by medical billers to submit claim forms.

Yes. There is a high demand for qualified medical billing and coding professionals in the healthcare industry today. Demand will increase as the population in the Unites States ages. Jobs for these professionals are on the rise and expected to grow faster than average through 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our medical coding courses are self-paced and completed in 12 months or less. You will then have the option to prepare and sit for one of the following national certifications: 1) NHA's Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), 2) AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC), or 3) AHIMA's Certified Coding Associate (CCA). Once you are certified, you'll have the qualifications you need to find an entry-level job.

The path to a career in medical billing and coding typically starts with certification. There are different medical billing and coding certifications offered through certifying bodies, so it's important to choose which one is right for you. This course allows you to choose one of three national certifications to sit for upon completion.

To become a Certified Medical Coder, you need to take an online training course that teaches you the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets. Most employers are looking for applicants to have a medical coding certification. After successfully completing this course, you will have the knowledge and skillset to become a medical coder and can sit for one of three national certification exams included in your tuition: 1) NHA's Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), 2) AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC), or 3) AHIMA's Certified Coding Associate (CCA).

Due to the more technical nature of the job and increased training requirements, medical coders do tend to make more than medical billers on an annual basis. Both medical billers and medical coders are in high demand. According to the AAPC 2023 Salary Survey results, non-certified medical records specialists average $53,749 per year, while certified medical records specialists can average $62,689 annually — 15% more than their noncertified colleagues. Keep in mind, years of experience, specialty, geographic location, and multiple certifications can all play a part in this reporting average.

Other than a handful of exceptions, medical billing and medical coding are two separate professions. You do not need a degree for either profession, but successful coders usually obtain certification. This medical billing and coding course will fully prepare you for a career as either a medical biller or a medical coder, including recommended certification. Once you've completed your training, you will decide which area fits your personality and career goals best and move in that direction.

Yes, this course prepares you for three medical billing and coding certifications: 1) Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), 2) Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam, offered by American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and 3) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, offered by AHIMA. You will receive a voucher for the certification exam of your choosing after successfully completing the course. Online certification exams through NHA and AAPC are offered in the US only.

Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third-party funded students may not be eligible.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24–48 business hours.

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

If you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee will be charged. If you are funded through a third-party organization, approval may also be required.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a UNF Certificate of Completion. In addition, you will receive an exam voucher and applicable study materials for your choice of the following national certification exams: 1) NHA's Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), 2) AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC), or 3) AHIMA's Certified Coding Associate (CCA).

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, you can contact our office at unfpll@unf.edu or call us at 904-620-4200.