Which Are The Best Medical Billing And Coding Online Schools?
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by
Angela Foster·
Before enrolling in a medical billing and coding online school, you need to do some research. You just can’t enroll in the first school that comes to mind. Knowing which are the best medical billing and coding online schools can help you start on the right track.
Under the accreditation of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and College, Cosumnes River College offers two remote medical coding programs. These programs are under the School of Health Information of the College. The cost per credit hour of each program is $335. (1)
19. Sullivan University
Sullivan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It offers medical billing and coding programs online. These remote programs are compliant with the American Health Information Management Association or AHIMA standards. The per credit cost is $320. About eighty-three percent of students avail of financial aid. (2) (3)
18. Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale offers a degree in Associate of Science in Medical Administrative Billing and Coding. This is an 18-month program that allows you to earn 60 credits. It’s worth noting that this is the shortest program on the list, which could be the reason why the graduation rate is 69%. The cost of the program is $267 per credit. (4)
17. Rasmussen College
With accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission, Rasmussen College offers a certificate course on medical billing and coding. Upon completion of the course, students can do further studies to earn an Associate Health Information Technician degree. The cost per credit of the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program is $260.(5) (6)
16. Northwest Technical College
There are two remote medical coding programs offered by Northwest Technical College. One is a degree program that can be completed in two years. The other is a certificate program that can be completed in one year. The cost per credit hour for these programs is $249. Fifty percent of students avail of financial aid. (7)
15. Northland Community and Technical College
Northland Community and Technical College offers a degree in Associate of Applied Science, Medical Coding Specialist. This is a 60-credit program that you can complete in four semesters. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the cost of the program is $199 per credit. The graduation rate is 42%. (8)
14. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State Community and Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers a degree in Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology/Coding that you can complete in two years. You earn 64 credits upon completion. The cost per credit is $198.95. (9) (10)
13. Hazard Community And Technical College
Hazard Community And Technical College offers a degree in Associate in Applied Science in Medical Information Technology. This is a two-year program that will earn you 64 credits. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the cost per credit is $174 for in-state students. For out-of-state, it ranges from $348 to $609. (11)
12. Laramie County Community College
The Health Information Technology and Management program of Laramie County Community College is another option to consider for one who looking to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. This is a certificate course. Once the student completes the first semester, an initial certificate is earned. This can allow the student to seek employment while furthering his or her studies. Laramie County Community College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. The cost per credit varies, depending on whether the student is in-state or out-state. For the former, the cost is $148 and for the latter, the cost is $345. (12) (13)
11. Central Texas College
Central Texas College, under the accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), offers the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program. This is a one-year online program that students can take at their own pace. The cost per credit varies. For in-state students, it’s somewhere between $90 to $113. Out-state students would have to pay $235. (14) (15)
10. Cowley College
Cowley College is another affordable medical billing and coding online school to consider. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it can grant a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding degree. Once completed, student earns 65 credits. The cost per credit for in-state students is $115; for out-state students it’s $163. The percentage of students receiving financial aid is 40. (16)
9. Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College makes it 9th on the list of the best medical billing and coding online school based on the positive feedback it has. In recent years, 91% of learners in this program have graduated, and 76% have passed the AHIMA exam. It offers a degree in Health Information Technology that can be completed in two years. Upon completion, you earn 64 credits. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the cost per credit is $194. (17)
8. Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State College Southeast boasts a 68.8% job placement rate for graduates in medical support careers. It offers a two-year program that allows you to earn a degree in Associate of Science in Medical Coding. The cost of the program is at $177 per credit. Students are required to complete 60 credits. (18)
7. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
According to 2016 statistics, Southwest Tech boasts a 100% job placement rate for health information technology graduates. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College offers a degree in Associate in Health Information Technology. This is a program that you can complete in two and a half years. Once completed, you earn 60 to 61 credits. The cost per credit for in-state students is $136, while for out-state students, it’s $205. (19)
6. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
Students can enroll in the various Online Medical Coding Certificate programs of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. With accreditation coming from The Higher Learning Commission, the University offers the Online Medical Coding Certificate Program through its School of Informatics and Computing of Indiana University. The Online Medical Coding Certificate programs are all accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education or CAHIIM, which is the reason why the University ranks high on the list. In terms of cost, in-state students would have to pay $368, while out-state students would have to pay $1006. (20) (21)
5. Trident Technical College
With accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Trident Technical College takes pride in their online medical coding programs. These programs are offered through the Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development of the College which also has an accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Aside from their multiple accreditations, their online medical coding programs have been approved by the American Health Information Management Association or AHIMA. The rate per credit hour is the same for both in- and out-state students at $285. (22)
4. University of Cincinnati
Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, the University of Cincinnati offers a remote medical coding program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education or CAHIIM. The percentage of students passing the Certified Professional Coder exam is 95. The per credit hour cost is $251. (23)
3. Davenport University
Davenport University offers another medical coding program that is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education or CAHIIM. Aside from the program accreditation, the University is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. With its multiple accreditations and cost at $241 per credit hour, Davenport University makes it on the top 3 of the list of best medical billing and coding online schools. (24)
2. Weber State University
With accreditation from Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Weber State University also has various program accreditations. One particular program that is CAHIIM accredited is their online medical coding program. This is offered through the University’s Dumke College of Health Professions and it’s a ten-course certificate program that’s on an asynchronous format. With its multiple accreditations and cost at $230 per credit hour, Weber State University makes it second on the list of best medical billing and coding online schools. (25)
1. Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara City College tops the list of the best medical billing and coding online schools. Aside from their accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, their remote medical coding program is American Health Information Management Professional Certificate Approval Program or (PCAP) approved. The Medical Coding Specialist Program of Santa Barbara is fully asynchronous. Considering its program approval from an accrediting health care agency and cost at $150 per credit hour, it tops the list of best medical billing and coding online schools. (26) (27)
The cost of the program is affordable as compared to others. At $136 per credit for in-state students and $205 per credit for out-of-state students, it’s one of the most affordable programs on the list. It also boasts one of the highest graduation rates on the list at 61%.
Other Requirements To Consider
When choosing the best medical billing and coding online school, make sure to look into the requirements for obtaining your degree. Keep in mind that the requirements of each school vary.
The more prestigious medical billing and coding online schools may require you to submit collateral and meet other criteria that might be outside of your comfort zone. You should choose a school that allows you to complete your degree at your own time and pace.
Hence, you should choose a medical billing and coding online school with flexible learning hours. It’s also important to choose a school that requires minimal disruptions to your current work. That way, you can continue working and taking care of your family without having to worry about missing hours at work.
When it comes to choosing the best medical billing and coding online school, you also need to consider other important requirements such as general knowledge of the computer and basic math skills. In addition, some schools require a specific number of credits for you to be eligible for their degree program.
Some medical billing and coding online schools may not even require any credit at all, while others may require some college courses as well as high school courses. Nonetheless, the requirements for entering a program are typically quite simple and it will depend on which particular school you decide on which the requirements will be.
While you can always refer to the list of the best medical billing and coding online schools, choosing the program that suits you most is a decision that only you can make.
Before you sign up for any classes, be sure to research the schools thoroughly. Find out what their reputation is in the medical community and ask around for recommendations.
Make sure they offer all of the services and materials that you need for your online education. Last, but not least, once you’ve chosen a medical billing and coding online school, make sure you research the program carefully to make sure it’s a good fit for you. It pays to be informed!
