Medical billing and coding professionals are liaisons between healthcare providers and billing offices. Also known as medical records and health information specialists, medical billing and coding personnel manage and organize health information data — assigning diagnosis and procedure codes for billing purposes, patient care, and population health.

For those looking to become a medical biller and coder, there are flexible programs available. At Goodwin University, for example, you can now take medical billing and coding classes online.

A Postsecondary Certificate for Your Professional Career

In order to enter the field, medical billers and coders typically need to have a postsecondary certificate. However, this does not require years in the classroom, or even full time on campus. Many medical billing and coding classes are offered online, for your convenience.

If you’re looking for a medical career without clinical patient experience, medical billing and coding may be for you. Flexible, online medical billing and coding programs prepare students to earn professional certificates and start their careers in the field in as few as 12-18 months.

Online medical billing and coding classes also train future medical billers and coders for the following career competencies:

• Administer classification systems and assign clinical codes for insurance reimbursement and data analytics purposes
• Attention to detail regarding the review of patient records for accuracy and completeness
• Electronically record data for analysis, collection, reporting, and retrieval
• Organize and maintain information in clinical databases and registries

Upon graduation, students must pass the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) to practice independently in the field.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Curriculum

Goodwin University’s medical billing and coding certificate program will be offered entirely online starting the spring 2023 semester!*

*Please note that all medical billing and coding courses except for MCD 213 & MCD 214 will be available online starting the fall 2023 semester, with MCD 213 & 214 available for spring 2023.

Goodwin University is a career-focused, innovative institution that’s all about convenience. Intent on getting graduates into the future professions they’ll love, the University no longer requires medical billing and coding internships as a condition for graduation.

Also offering adaptable academics to fit the busy lives of learners with families and full-time jobs, Goodwin’s medical billing and coding curriculum will be available in a synchronous format — so students can get the experience of face-to-face lessons through the convenience of online learning.

From insurance and coding to ethics and management, the following four classes are examples of what prospective medical billing and coding students can expect to study online:

1)  Introduction to Medical Insurance and Coding

Introduction to Medical Insurance and Coding encompasses overviews of application and billing forms, benefit and eligibility structures of insurance plans, insurance terminology, Medicare compliance, procedural terminology, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), and types of insurance. In this course, students will also study the relationship between coding and financial reimbursement by analyzing and calculating patient medical insurance benefits under various insurance plans.

2) Medical Office Management

Medical Office Management addresses subjects like accounting, confidentiality regulations, mail processing, medical office procedures, and scheduling appointments. The course also includes a medical office simulation component. Within a mock medical practice, students can practice completing all aspects of the billing process — from registration to filing an insurance claim.

3) ICD-10-Coding

The ICD-10 is the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). In the ICD-10 Coding course, students learn the skills to translate and convert medical diagnoses and documents into alpha-numeric ICD-10 Clinical Modification (CM) codes.

4) Medical Law and Ethics

The Medical Law and Ethics class contain themes of civic duties, legal responsibilities, medical ethics, medical practice acts, and any liabilities associated with health professionals. The course also discusses current events in contemporary medical law and ethics publications.

Medical Billing and Coding Careers

According to 2020 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists is $45,250.

Additionally, a medical billing and coding certificate is in-demand. From 2020 to 2030, the profession is estimated to rise 9% over the decade, with 34,300 new jobs opening annually.

Medical billing and coding graduates can also find career options in several industry settings, such as:

• Billing organizations
• Consulting firms
• Insurance conglomerates
• Large medical corporations
• Outpatient clinics/hospitals
• Residential care
• Software companies
• State and federal government agencies, and more!

A further advantage: Goodwin University’s career services team supports student and alumni candidates with résumé and cover letter creation, invitations to career fairs, and interview tips and tricks — for free, forever. To add to the lifetime of comprehensive job placement, Goodwin’s career service specialists have an extensive network of potential employers and the latest on local opportunities.

With advancements in medicine, government regulations, and technology, the medical billing and coding field needs analytical thinkers like you to tackle the industry’s most significant billing and coding scenarios. Now, you can prepare for this field in an online, flexible format.

Are you interested in learning more about a career in medical billing and coding?

Click here to discover how earning your certificate can elevate your future!