What Are The Top Affordable Medical Billing And Coding Online Schools?
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by
Angela Foster·
Are you looking for affordable medical billing and coding online programs? If you are, then you are doing the right thing. Most likely, you are not the only one looking for such programs.
Affordable medical billing and coding online programs are very popular these days. The demand for jobs in the medical billing and coding fields is very high. Hospitals, clinics, insurance agencies rely on these jobs to ensure they can afford to carry on their services.
Factors To Consider When Choosing An Affordable Online School
While there are a lot of schools that offer affordable medical billing and coding courses online, there are some important factors to consider. These factors can help you determine which program will be the most beneficial in meeting your needs.
One of the first things to consider is the length of the program. If you want to start with an entry-level, you can take a certificate course that won’t last too long. That will save you a lot of money and time.
Don’t end up paying an institution or an organization that’s not accredited for learning. You’ll end up wasting your time and money.
Furthermore, you need to make sure that the accredited school, university, or institution offers continuing education to help you maintain your license as a medical biller and coder. Keep in mind that the longer the school has been offering courses in this field of medicine, the more likely it will continue to provide quality courses and training.
Another thing to consider when researching the different affordable medical billing and coding online degree options is the type of course that is being offered. Many schools offer a wide variety of options, from the very basic to the more advanced level.
Make sure to find a school that offers the exact type of course that you’re looking for.
It’s also important to consider the amount of time that you will have to put into the classes. Most online training programs will give students 60+ hours of education in the form of textbooks and clinical training.
Since the clinical portion of medical billing and coding requires a significant amount of hands-on learning, many schools will ask potential students to fulfill part of the training through on-the-job hands-on training in hospitals or clinics.
List Of Affordable Medical Billing And Coding Online Programs
The most important factor to consider when choosing an affordable medical billing and coding online program is your budget. At the end of the day, only you can tell which one suits you right.
Drexel University offers Online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding. It boasts an in-depth training program in medical coding. Once you complete the certificate course, you will be qualified to take certification exams from the American Medical Billing Association, American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and American Health Information Management Association. Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. You will need to complete 30 credits for their online certificate program. At $855/credit, the total cost is at $25,650. (1)
14. Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University offers the Medical Coding & Data Quality Certificate Program. This is a 34-credit certificate program that can help you get an entry-level job once completed. This particular certificate course is based on the American Health Information management Association (AHIMA) standards. At the same time, the University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. At $605/credit, the total cost is at $20,570. (2)
13. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis offers Online Medical Coding Certificate. This is a 28-credit certificate program. Upon completion, you are eligible for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential from AHIMA. The University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission. The rate per credit depends on whether you’re an in- or out-state student. For in-state students, it’s $286/credit. For out-state students, it’s $986/credit. Total cost for in-state students is $8008. For out-state, it’s $27,608. (3)
12. Wallace State Community College
Wallace State Community College offers an online Medical Coding Program. This is a 48-credit certificate program that prepares you for an entry-level job. Once you complete the certificate program, you can take the CCA examinations rolled out by AHIMA. Wallace State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. At $160/credit, the total cost is $7,680. (4)
11. Laramie County Community College
Laramie County Community College offers a Health Information Technology and Management Program, where you can choose to earn a diploma, certificate, or a degree. This particular program has a pending accreditation review by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). However, the College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its certificate program requires completion of 48 credits. Rates per credit varies; $148/credit for in-state students and $346/credit for out-of-state students. Total cost for in-state students is $7,104. For out-of-state students, it’s $16,608. (5)
10. Hazard Community And Technical College
The Hazard Community and Technical College offers various certificate programs under its Medical Information Technology. You can opt for a certificate in Electronic Health Records Specialist or Medical Coding. The Hazard Community and Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The required number of credits ranges from 23-38. The rate of credit varies; $174/credit for in-state students; $348/credit for students in neighboring states. Cost for in-state students taking up a 38-credit course is at $6,612. Cost for out-of-state students taking the same number of credits is $13, 224. (6)
9. Northwest Iowa Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College offers a two-semester medical coding program. This is a 34-credit program. You will be receiving a diploma upon completion. You will also be qualified to take the CCA certification exams from AHIMA. Northwest Iowa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. At $189/credit, the total cost is $6,426. (7)
8. Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offers a certificate in Healthcare Billing and Coding. There is a minimum requirement of 30 credits to be able to graduate with a certificate. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the rate/credit varies. It’s $184/credit for in-state students and $350/credit for out-of-state students. Total cost for in-state students is $5,520, while for out-of-state, it’s $10,500. (8)
7. Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson Community College offers the Healthcare Coding Specialist program. This is a 45-program, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The rate per credit varies, depending on if you’re an in- or out-of-state student. For in-state students, it’s $114/credit and for out-of-state students, it’s $145/credit. Total cost of in-state students is $5,130. For out-of-state students, it’s $6525. (9)
6. Neosho County Community College
Neosho County Community College offers a certificate in Healthcare Coding. It’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to take on any coding position in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. You will also be qualified to take the CPC and CCA exams offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders and AHIMA respectively. This is a 39-credit program and rate per credit varies. For Neosho County residents, it’s $131/credit. For other Kansas students, it’s $145/credit. For out-of-state students, it’s $167/credit. Total cost for Neosho County residents, it’s $5,109. For other Kansas students, it’s $5,655. For out-of-state students, it’s $6,513. (10)
5. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and it offers programs to prepare you to become a Medical Billing Specialist and a Medical Coding Specialist. The Medical Billing Specialist program requires the completion of 26 credits, while the Medical Coding Specialist program requires 29 credits. Upon the completion of either one of these programs, you will be issued a diploma. Cost for these programs is $4,459. (11)
4. Central Community College
Central Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and it offers a Medical Coding Diploma. This is a 41-credit program that prepares you to be a Certified Coding Associate or CCA. The exam is given by AHIMA. The rate per credit varies.
It’s $107/credit for in-state students and $153/credit for out-of-state students. Total cost for in-state students is $4,387. For out-of-state, it’s $6,273. (12)
3. Cowley College
Cowley College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers a Medical Coding program under their Health & Human Services. This is a 35-credit program and the rate per credit varies. For Cowley County residents, it’s $114/credit. Total cost is $3,990. For other Kansas residents, it’s $125. Total cost is $4,375. For Oklahoma residents, it’s $135. Total cost is $4,725. For non-Kansas and Oklahoma residents, it’s $173/credit. Total cost is $6,055. (13)
2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers both Medical Billing and Coding programs, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Both programs require you to complete 12 credits. Total cost for each program is $2,925. (14)
1. West Georgia Technical College
West Georgia Technical College offers a Medical Coding program online. This is a technical certificate course that requires you to complete 24 credits. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The rate per credit varies. For in-state students, it’s $100/credit. Total cost is $2,400. For out-of-state students, it’s $200 per credit. Total cost is $4,800. This makes West Georgia Technical College the most affordable medical billing and coding online school for both in-state and out-of-state students. (15)
When searching for affordable medical billing and coding online programs, it is helpful to contact potential schools and ask about their curriculum and other student services.
Contacting school administrators is also a good way to get valuable information that will help you decide if an affordable medical billing and coding online program is right for you. Many of these schools will offer personal counselors that can help you through any problems that you have when completing the program.
