Are you interested in building a career in medical billing and coding? Then you can enroll in short online courses to kickstart your journey and become a professional in the field way faster than you thought. These courses provide essential knowledge and skills to get you ready for a successful career in medical billing, coding, and related fields. There are many online courses available for medical billing training, but not all of them are of high quality or up-to-date with the latest standards and practices. In this article, we will review the best five 4-week online courses for medical billing training in 2023 based on their course overview, eligibility and certification validity, and course content.
The Demand for Medical Coding and Billing Professionals
The demand for medical coding and billing professionals has been on the rise in recent years, driven by several factors including changes in healthcare regulations, an aging population, and the increasing use of electronic health records (EHRs).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that employment of medical records and health information technicians, which includes medical coders and billers, was expected to grow by 8% from 2019 to 2029. This growth rate was faster than the average for all occupations.
The shift towards electronic health records (EHRs) has increased the need for skilled professionals who can accurately code medical information for billing and insurance purposes. As healthcare practices and facilities transition to digital records, the role of medical coders and billers becomes increasingly important for accurately documenting and managing patient information.
Advantages of Online Courses in Medical Coding and Billing
In the digital age, pursuing this career path has become more accessible through online courses. These courses provide flexibility in terms of both schedule and duration, allowing aspiring professionals to tailor their learning experience to their unique circumstances. Whether you’re looking for a swift certificate program or a more comprehensive educational journey, the options are abundant. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing the best online medical billing and coding course that aligns with your goals and preferences.
Role of a Medical Biller and Coder
Before delving into the nuances of selecting an online course, it’s crucial to comprehend the responsibilities and importance of a medical biller and coder. These professionals play a pivotal role in accurately translating medical services into coded language, facilitating seamless billing and insurance claims processing. Here are some core responsibilities of a medical coder:
- Reviewing Patient Files: Scrutinize doctor’s notes on medical conditions, procedures, and office visits to assign accurate codes for billing.
- Collaboration and Accuracy: Interact with medical professionals, patients, and staff to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
- Insurance Claims: Prepare and submit claims to insurance companies for timely reimbursement of medical services rendered.
- Claims Analysis: Analyze claims data for correctness, proper signatures, and necessary prior authorizations.
- Denial Management: Audit denied claims for accuracy and reason for denial, and resubmit claims with missing information.
- Privacy Adherence: Uphold patient confidentiality throughout the billing process.
Considerations When Choosing an Online Course for Medical Coding and Billing
When it comes to selecting the best online medical billing and coding course, several key factors demand careful consideration. Below, we outline these factors along with important questions to ask:
- Course Delivery Method: Opt for online courses that offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and convenience, allowing you to balance your studies with other commitments.
- Accreditation: Prioritize courses that are accredited by reputable organizations in the field, such as the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Accreditation ensures quality and industry recognition.
- Course Duration: Decide whether you prefer an accelerated program, which may take a few weeks, or a more comprehensive course that spans a longer period. Your availability and desired time to completion will guide this choice.
- Course Fee and Payment Options: Evaluate the course cost and inquire about payment plans or financial aid options. Balancing affordability with quality education is crucial.
4 Week Online Course For Medical Billing And Coding 2023
1. Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP) – A high-level 4 week online course for medical billing and coding
Duration: 3-5 weeks
Cost of Course: $799.95, but you can currently enrol for a discounted price of $699.95.
Course Delivery Type: Online
Level: Certificate
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: Not available
Overview of Course:
The Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP) is a comprehensive program that includes both CMBP (Certified Medical Billing Professional) Certification and HIPAA (Patient Privacy Act) Certification. As a student, you will have access to 9 chapters, study guides, videos, examinations, and the DAQbilling Medical Billing Software Program.
You will be assigned a personal course instructor and can access the telephone, email, chat support, and a 24/7 student support forum. Once you graduate from this course, you will be ready to satisfy medical billing and coding certification requirements. The course requires 50 hours of study and allows you to add home business modules. Upon completing the course, you will receive your CMBP certification and student transcript by mail and be placed into the job placement database by location.
Course Materials:
The course materials include 9 chapters, study guides, videos, and examinations. You’ll also have access to the DAQbilling Medical Billing Software Program.
Course Content:
This course consists of 9 modules covering the following topics.
- Introduction to medical billing
- Understanding medical office forms
- Medical insurance coverage – proper payment posting & accounting
- Medical billing codes & modifiers – an introduction to procedure & diagnosis coding
- CMS 1500 form breakdown
- Life cycle of a medical insurance claim
- Working with practice management/medical billing software
- Live medical billing software training in DAQbilling
- Understanding HIPAA
Enroll online for this course at MedicalBillingCourse.com.
2. Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding at Allison online learning.
Duration: 4-5 Hours
Cost of Course: Free
Course Delivery Type: Online
Level: Certificate
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: CPD Accreditation
Overview of Course:
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of clinical coding, including important principles, strategies, and in-depth expertise. Starting with fundamental clinical coding knowledge, the course progresses to expert knowledge. You’ll learn to differentiate between coding and billing, understand the key roles in clinical coding, and learn about the factors that cause coding errors. The course covers clinical records, their importance, and principles, as well as useful medical terms essential for medical coders and billers.
You’ll be introduced to the concept of ICD-10 and the importance of clinical auditing codes, including the rules for selecting accurate codes. The course also covers various diseases and their codes and other types of clinical coding, such as CPT and HCPCS level coding.
Course Content:
This course consists of 2 modules covering the following topics.
- MODULE 1
- Clinical Coding – Learning Outcomes
- Understanding Clinical Coding
- ICD-10 Coding – Part 1
- ICD-10 Coding – Part 2
- Clinical Coding- Lesson Summary
- MODULE 2
- Course Assessment – A Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding
Enroll online for this course at Alison online learning.
3. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course – The best-ever 4 week online course for medical billing and coding
Duration: 4 Weeks
Cost of Course: $9.99 (discounted from $74.99)
Course Delivery Type: Online (Udemy)
Level: Certificate of completion
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: Not available
Overview of Course: This course provides basic instruction on CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II coding. Upon completing this course, you’ll be ready to prepare for national medical coding exams.
You will learn the fundamentals of ICD-10-CM coding with basic guidelines, CPT coding with basic guidelines, and HCPCS Level II coding with basic guidelines. The course also includes opportunities to apply your knowledge to practice and covers basic medical terminology.
Course Requirements:
This course has no educational prerequisites; you can take it on a PC or mobile device. However, you’ll need medical coding manuals for ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II (2019 or newer) as they are essential for this class. This is a basic instructional course, and upon completion, you’ll be ready to begin advanced instruction independently or take another course.
Course Content:
The course consists of 9 sections covering the following topics.
- Introduction
- Introduction to ICD-10-CM
- ICD-10-CM Guidelines & Conventions
- Basic ICD-10-CM Scenarios and Selecting the First-Listed Diagnosis Code
- Basic ICD-10-CM with Medical Terminology Review
- Introduction to CPT Coding
- CPT Coding for the Coding Certification Exam
- HCPCS Level II Coding and Modifiers
- All About the Business of Medicine
Enroll online for this course at Udemy.
4. Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students on Coursera.
Duration: 3 Weeks
Cost of Course: Free
Course Delivery Type: Online
Level: Certificate (available for a fee or financial aid)
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: Not available
Overview of Course:
This course focuses on terms and abbreviations commonly used during early clinical work in U.S. hospitals. This course helps U.S. healthcare students, international students, practitioners, caregivers, and medical interpreters understand the terms and abbreviations used by healthcare providers in the U.S. Upon completing the course, you’ll earn a certificate.
Course Materials:
The course materials include 34 hours of educational content that is fully online. They are available as print, audio, and visual representations of terms and abbreviations commonly used during early clinical work in U.S. hospitals. You’ll also have access to a web-based clinical dictionary for beginners that provides additional information about terms presented in the course.
Course Content:
The course content consists of the following topics.
- Introduction to clinical terms and abbreviations
- Decoding complex medical terms
- Advanced decoding strategies for clinical terms
- Diseases of the bodily systems
- Laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures
- Precise understanding clinical abbreviations and complex terms in clinical situations
Enroll online for this course at Coursera.
5. “Medical Secretary Training” free Medical Billing and Coding course.
Duration: 4 – 5 Hours
Cost of Course: Free
Course Delivery Type: Online
Level: Certificate
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: Not available
Overview of Course:
This course is perfect for both experienced medical secretaries and newcomers to the field. It provides the theoretical foundation and practical knowledge you need to perform the job successfully.
The course covers the basic responsibilities of a medical secretary, what to expect from the work environment, and how to organise and manage appointments and schedules. You’ll learn about maintaining medical records, proper filing procedures, and the importance of confidentiality in the medical environment.
The course also covers general office administration techniques, common medical jargon terms, workplace health and safety in medical settings, first aid, disease control, fire prevention, and the role of information technology and computers in the healthcare industry.
The course materials include theoretical and practical knowledge of medical coding and billing, as well as general office administration techniques, common medical jargon terms, workplace health and safety in medical settings, first aid, disease control, fire prevention, and the role of information technology and computers in the healthcare industry.
Course Content:
This course consists of 2 modules covering the following topics.
- MODULE 1
- Introduction to Medical Secretary
- Introduction
- Medical Records Keeping
- Workplace Maintenance
- Introduction to Medical Secretary – Lesson Summary
- MODULE 2
- Medical Secretary Training – Course Assessment
Enroll online for this course at Alison online learning.
6. CareerStep Medical Billing and Coding Course
Duration: 4 months (with 12 months access)
Cost of Course: $3,699
Course Delivery Type: Online
Level: Certificate
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: Not available
Overview of Course:
CareerStep’s Medical Billing and Coding course is meticulously designed for rapid completion, with a timeline as short as four months for full-time students. Trusted by major players in the healthcare industry, this program equips you with the necessary skills to sit for the CPC and COC national certification exams. It emphasizes practical, real-world experience, ensuring that you are fully prepared to transition into the workforce upon course completion.
With a comprehensive curriculum and ample access to learning resources, this course offers a robust foundation for a successful career in medical billing and coding.
7. Ashworth College Online Medical Billing and Coding Program
Duration: 4 – 12 months
Cost of Course: $899 – $1099
Course Delivery Type: Online
Level: Certificate
Course Requirements: No minimum requirements
Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Overview of Course:
Ashworth College offers an accelerated online program in Medical Billing and Coding, granting you the flexibility to complete the coursework at your own pace. While the program extends up to 12 months, the majority of students successfully finish within four months. The institution is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), assuring the quality of education. This program covers a comprehensive range of topics, including ICD-10 and Comprehensive Medical Coding.
Additionally, successful graduates receive the NHA Certified Billing and Coding Specialist test, along with relevant tools and resources to bolster their professional journey. At the end of this program, you will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a fulfilling career in the healthcare industry.
Comparison review of 4 week online course for medical billing and coding
We discussed the top five 4-week online courses for medical billing training in 2023. These courses provide training in medical billing and coding and related fields such as clinical terminology and medical secretary work. Let’s see how they compare under course content, cost, eligibility, and requirements.
Comparison of Course Content
- The Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP) is the most comprehensive of the three medical billing and coding courses, including CMBP (Certified Medical Billing Professional) Certification and HIPAA (Patient Privacy Act) Certification.
- The Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding and AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course provides more basic instruction in clinical coding.
- The Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students course offered by the University of Pittsburgh focuses on terms and abbreviations commonly used during early clinical work in U.S. hospitals. In contrast, the Medical Secretary Training course created by Skill Up provides a theoretical foundation and practical knowledge for successfully performing the job of a medical secretary.
Comparison of Cost
- The Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding by Training Express is a free online course, while the AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course is available for a discounted price of $16.99.
- The Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP) by MedicalBillingCourse.com is the most expensive of the three medical billing and coding courses, with a regular price of $799.95. But it is currently available for a discounted price of $699.95.
- The Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students course offered by the University of Pittsburgh is also free.
Comparison of Eligibility and Requirements
- There are no specific eligibility requirements or prerequisites mentioned for any of these courses.
- However, some courses may require access to specific materials or equipment, such as medical coding manuals for ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II (2019 or newer) for the AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course.
Our thoughts
These courses provide valuable training for those interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. The best course for you depends on your interests and career goals.
- If you are looking for comprehensive training in medical billing, the Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP) may be the best fit.
- If you are interested in learning about clinical coding without spending any money, the Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding is a great option.
- If you want an affordable option that provides basic instruction on ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding, the AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course is worth considering.
- If you want to learn about clinical terminology commonly used in U.S. hospitals while learning about medical billing and coding, the Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students course is a good choice.
- And if you are interested in becoming a medical secretary while building your medical billing and coding career, the Medical Secretary Training course created by Skill Up is worth considering.
Why take these courses?
Medical billing and coding courses offer a rewarding career with many growth opportunities. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports say that jobs in medical billing are expected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, and the median annual wage was $44,090 in May 2020.
With online courses, you can take lessons whenever and wherever there is an internet connection. You will gain the skills and knowledge you need to enter or advance in this field and even prepare for certification exams that can boost your employability. Let us see why you should take each of the top five 4-week online courses for medical billing training in 2023.
1. Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP)
The CMBP program is the most refined and recognized certification program in the medical industry. By taking this course, you can gain a solid understanding of medical billing procedures and practices.
Opportunities available
- Prepare for various certification exams that can boost your credibility
- Employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing and residential care homes, and other healthcare facilities.
2. Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding
This free online course is important because it provides a comprehensive understanding of clinical coding, including important principles, strategies for using it, and in-depth expertise. Upon completing this course, you will have a solid foundation in clinical coding.
Opportunities available
- Prepare for various certification exams to boost your credibility and employability in the industry.
3. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course
This affordable course is essential because it provides basic ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding instructions. Upon completing this course, you will have a good foundation in medical coding. AMCI students have the highest medical coding exam passer rating.
Opportunities available
- Ready to begin preparing for national medical coding exams
4. Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
By taking this course, you can effectively improve your communication ability with other healthcare professionals and patients in healthcare providers. This can be particularly beneficial for international students and practitioners who may not be familiar with the specific terminology used in the U.S. healthcare system. This course is a hidden gem due to the following reasons. Having a strong understanding of clinical terminology can help you,
- Accurately assign codes to medical records.
- Accurately communicate with insurance companies about the services provided to patients.
Opportunities available
- Higher employability in the U.S. healthcare system
- Increased confidence and effectiveness in communicating with other healthcare professionals and patients.
5. Medical Secretary Training
This free 4-week online medical coding and billing course created by Skill Up is accredited by the CPD. By taking this course, you will learn about office administration, medical billing, and healthcare. You will also learn how to arrange and control appointments with physicians.
Opportunities available
- Prepare for a career in the healthcare industry as a medical biller, clinical secretary, or environmental safety administrator.
Learn how to self-study medical coding!
Review Summary
In this article, we discussed the top five 4-week online courses for medical billing training in 2023 that can help you build a career in medical billing and coding with confidence.
Here is a review summary of the above courses to conclude the article.
The Medical Billing Certification Course (CMBP) is a comprehensive program that includes CMBP (Certified Medical Billing Professional) Certification and HIPAA (Patient Privacy Act) Certification. The course comprises 9 chapters, study guides, videos, and examinations and provides access to the DAQbilling Medical Billing Software Program.
The Comprehensive Guide to Medical Coding by Training Express is available on the Alison online learning platform if you are looking for a free option. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of clinical coding, including essential principles, strategies, and in-depth expertise. The course starts with fundamental clinical coding knowledge and progresses to expert knowledge.
Another affordable option is the AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding Course, which provides basic instructions on ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding. This course will help you build a strong foundation in medical coding. Upon completing this course, you’ll be ready to prepare for national medical coding exams.
Suppose you want to learn about clinical terminology commonly used in U.S. hospitals. In that case, the Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students course offered by the University of Pittsburgh is a great option. This free course gives you a strong understanding of clinical terminology that can be beneficial for pursuing careers in medical coding or billing fields.
Finally, you should consider taking the Medical Secretary Training free course to become a medical secretary while emerging as a medical biller. It provides a theoretical foundation and practical knowledge for successfully performing the job of a medical secretary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there opportunities for advancement in the medical coding and billing field?
Yes, experienced coders and billers can advance to supervisory roles or specialize further in areas like auditing, compliance, or management.
2. Do medical coders and billers need certification?
While certification is not always required, it’s highly recommended. Common certifications include Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
3. How does technology impact the medical coding and billing profession?
Technology has significantly streamlined the process, with electronic health records and coding software being essential tools. Coders and billers must adapt to new technologies and stay updated on industry trends.
4. How much money can you make as a medical biller and coder?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical coders and billers earn an average salary of around $46,660. However, top earners can make over $74,200, while the bottom 10% earn less than $29,430.
5. What is the job outlook for this career?
The job outlook for medical coders and billers is positive, with an estimated average job growth of 7% from 2021 to 2031. Around 12,300 job openings are expected each year due to workers switching professions or retiring.
6. Can you do medical coding and billing at home?
Yes, the possibility of working from home in this field has increased with technological advancements and changing work preferences. Many companies now offer remote work options for coders and medical billers, whether as employees of hospitals, doctor’s offices, or independent contractors.
7. What skills do you need to be successful as a medical coder and biller?
Successful medical coders and billers need to be detail-oriented, patient, and self-motivated. Strong communication skills are crucial since collaboration with other healthcare staff is common. Continuous learning and dedication are vital due to the sometimes complex nature of the field.
8. Can you choose to work in a specialty in medical coding and billing?
Yes, different specialties within medical coding and billing exist. Companies often employ coders and billers for specific areas like dermatology, surgery, oncology, and more. When interviewing for a job, inquire about specialization options if you’re interested in a particular field.
