Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding Program Guide

Do you want to start a healthcare career in 15 months or less? With a certificate in medical billing and coding, you can do just that.

Medical billing and coding programs prepare you to become a medical biller and coder. In these programs, you’ll learn how to use special software and classification systems to process medical records and patient data.

Once you earn your certificate, you can apply for entry-level medical billing and coding roles at doctor’s offices, clinics, and more.

Although you can pursue a career in medical billing and coding without a certificate, earning a certificate offers several key advantages. These programs teach you the skills needed to excel in the job, and a certificate demonstrates to employers that you have mastered the field’s fundamentals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 8% job growth for medical records specialists between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average. Graduates can look forward to ample opportunities. Medical billing and coding is a competitive field, making certificate-holders more desirable candidates than job seekers with only a high school diploma or equivalent.

Although program lengths vary, you typically spend 4-15 months earning your medical billing and coding certificates. You can also pursue an online medical billing and coding certificate, which is an especially convenient and flexible option for working professionals.

In a medical billing and coding certificate program, you’ll learn about the systems and processes needed to run a healthcare front office. You will also learn about health insurance and reimbursement, how to properly code medical and patient data, and how to use the Current Procedural Terminology system for reporting healthcare services and procedures.

Upon graduating from a medical billing and coding certificate program, you can apply for entry-level positions in medical and healthcare offices. Program coursework can help prepare you to become certified or enter the workforce with some additional on-the-job training.

Some courses you can expect to take include:

Certifications and certificates are different credentials. Certifications show that you passed a certification exam created by independent professional organizations. Universities and colleges award medical billing and coding certificates to students.

Certificate programs can prepare you to take certification exams. Find out more differences between medical billing and coding certificates and certifications:

The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers two fundamental certifications that are required for most medical billing and coding roles.

Most medical coders must be certified professional coders (CPC). Most medical billers must be certified professional billers (CPB). If you find a role that combines both roles, consider getting CPB and CPC certification together.

The AAPC also offers advanced and specialty certifications for experienced medical billers and coders who specialize in areas such as inpatient, anesthesia, or practice management.

Medical billers and coders may work anywhere healthcare services are provided or insurance claims are processed. Popular work settings for medical billers and coders include hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, and accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services

Depending on where you work and the exact responsibilities you have, your job title could be any of the following common entry-level positions:

So how much does a medical billing and coding specialist make? According to the AAPC’s 2023 Salary Survey report, certified medical records specialists earned an average annual salary of about $62,670.

Professionals without certification earned significantly less. Noncertified medical records specialists earned an average salary of about $53,750, which is nearly $10,000 less per year than certified medical records specialists.