Medical billers and coders are a vital part of any healthcare system because these specialized individuals are the professionals in charge of charts and medical histories.
Although they work in the hospital environment, medical billers and coders can work from home as they only need a computer to get everything ready.
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Cost Averages
- Certificate: $1,000 – $30,000
- Associate’s Degree: $6,200 – $50,800
What Is A Medical Biller and Coder?
Medical billers and coders are professionals who work for hospitals and healthcare facilities involved in the billing process in a healthcare facility.
The coding part is used to convert patient charts and clinical data to codes needed for insurance companies for reimbursement.
Medical billing and medical coding are different things, but one needs the other as they complement each other.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, for medical billers and coders, the median annual wage was $45,240 per year or $21.75 per hour in May 2020.
What Are The Responsibilities/Duties Of A Medical biller And Coder?
According to VocationalTrainingHQ.com, the major duties, and responsibilities of a medical biller and coder:
- Read and analyze patient records.
- Determine codes for specific treatments inpatient records.
- Use codes to bill insurance providers.
- Interact with physicians and assistants to ensure accuracy.
- Keep records of patient data.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
What Are The Costs Of Medical Billing and Coding Programs?
The cost of a medical billing and coding program can vary depending on many factors, such as the duration of the program and level of specialization, the school if you are an in-state resident or out-state student, and the state where the school is located.
For medical billers and coders, there are two program duration options, a certificate with a duration of 6 to 18 months or a two-year associate’s degree.
A medical billing and coding training program certificate can cost $1,000 to $30,000.
An associate degree is more expensive, and prices can go from $6,200 to $50,800; the AHIMA offers many options.
Extra Expenses
- Professionals must complete the AAPC accredited program and pass the certification exam to work as a medical billers and coders. Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam costs $300.
What Are The Best Schools That Offer Medical Billing and Coding Programs?
Professionals that want to become medical billers and coders must complete a program accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
The program’s accreditation will allow professionals to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Billing and Coding Specialist certification or Certified Professional Coder (CPC).
According to Intelligent.com, these are the top medical billing and coding programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and/or the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Health Information Management (CAHIIM):
| College | Program | Cost Per Credit |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | Medical Coding Specialist | $165.42 |
| Northwest Technical College | Certificate Medical Coding | $178.15 |
| Santa Barbara City College | Medical Coding Specialist Certificate | In-State: $46 per credit; Out-of-State: $331 per credit |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assistant | In-State: $140.96 per credit; Out-of-State: $211.46 per credit |
| Cowley College | Medical Coding Associate of Applied Science | In-State: $57 per credit; Out-of-State: $250 per credit |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Medical Coding Specialist, Diploma | $176.68 |
| Montana State University Billings | Medical Coding and Insurance Billing | $4,620 per program |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Medical Billing, Coding, and Auditing | In-State: $76 per credit; Out-of-State: $268 per credit |
| Keiser University | Medical Administrative Billing & Coding, AS | $440 |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Medical Coding and Insurance diploma | $165.50 |
| Sullivan University | Medical Coding Diploma | $260 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Medical Coding Specialist | $489 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | Medical Coding Specialist | In-state: $136.50 per credit; Out-of-state: $204.75 per credit |
| Highland Community College | Associate in Applied Science in Medical Coding | $3,690 per year |
| Kennesaw State University | Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate | $1,999 per program |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Medical Information Coder/Biller Technical Certificate | $104.42 |
| Sinclair Community College | Medical Coding and Billing Specialist certificate | $126.03 |
| UC San Diego Extension | Medical Coding Certificate | $4,465 per program |
| Wallace State Community College | Medical Coding Certificate | $131 |
| Bryant & Stratton College | Medical Reimbursement and Coding Associate | $594 |
