The Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools of 2024

Medical billers and coders transform patient diagnosis and treatment information into numerical codes that insurance companies and government agencies use to reimburse healthcare providers. Attending an accredited medical billing school can equip you with valuable clinical and clerical skills to manage patient records and ensure claims are processed accurately.

If this career interests you, you can pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in medical billing and coding, healthcare administration, or health information management. You can also get started in months by earning a certificate, available at community colleges and medical billing and coding schools.

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Accreditation can make a big difference in your career. Many employers only consider graduates of accredited programs, and accredited schools generally only accept transfer credits from other accredited medical billing and coding schools.

There are three primary types of accredited medical billing and coding schools or programs. While each type prepares you for the national certification examination, they differ significantly. The right program depends on your preferred time frame, budget, and career goals. However, credits from accredited programs often transfer to other schools, so you have options as you continue your career.

There are more than 30 medical billing and coding certifications available, primarily from the AAPC (formerly known as the American Academy of Professional Coders) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The following list explores some of the most common and widely offered certifications.

Earning even more advanced certifications can help you progress in your career and negotiate a higher salary. These credentials require specialized knowledge of coding and coding administration. For example, the average salary for a CHPS reached $100,560 in 2019, according to the AHIMA, and a certified professional compliance officer (CPCO) earns a median of $81,495, according to 2023 AAPC data.

While advanced certifications like these may not have experience or education requirements to qualify for the examination, the AHIMA and AAPC recommend professional experience, training, or both before taking these exams.

Student billers and coders take hybrid courses in medical and clerical matters. Medical subjects focus on language — the medical Latin and shorthand communications of hospital settings — and how to translate those terms into thousands of codes. Office administration skills focus on billing communications among healthcare providers, insurance companies, government agencies, and patients.

The core skills of the medical billing and coding trade focus on the reimbursement processes of health insurance and government agencies like Medicare and Medicaid. Improperly coded claims are regularly rejected, requiring time-consuming resubmission. Students need a solid understanding of coding procedures, payment systems, and fee schedules.

Students learn to submit and manage standard hospital billing claim forms, interpret medical data, and perform basic coding with two or more coding systems. Widely used systems such as CPT, ICD-9, and ICD-10 provide a shorthand for conditions, diagnoses, and treatments.

Translating medical services into code requires familiarity with medical terms, including the names of obscure ailments and surgical jargon. Student medical billers learn the origins and fundamentals of medical Latin, along with the terminology and shorthand used in laboratories and pharmacies. Courses cover vocabulary for basic anatomy, body systems, and specific fields.

Medical billers and coders handle private information, requiring training in ethics. Topics include care contracts, protected health information and disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and electronic health record incentives offered under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act.

Medical office administration includes managing electronic, telephone, and print mail; business letter writing; logistics planning; and task management.

Attending an accredited medical billing and coding school can be a good investment, especially if you want to earn an above-average salary without having to earn a college degree. The BLS reports a median salary of $47,180 per year for all medical records specialists, compared to the $46,310 median across all jobs.

The BLS also projects a job growth rate of 8% from 2022-2032, which is above the average rate. Some specialty certifications can earn much more. For example, according to the AAPC, certified professional practice managers earn a median income of $75,699 as of 2023, while certified professional compliance officers earn a $81,495 median salary.