Training in medical coding and billing prepares graduates for positions in hospitals, medical offices, insurance agencies, government agencies and other healthcare environments.
Here is a list of the top ten campus colleges for obtaining a degree or certificate in this fast-growing field:
1. Remington College – A non-profit and self-described “non-traditional” institution, Remington College offers programs in medical billing and coding at its campus locations. The school emphasizes small class size, career focus and the availability of both day and evening classes. Remington College started offering courses in 1985 and it currently operates 16 campuses across the United States. The medical billing and coding program takes nine months to complete and financial aid is available to students who quality. The diploma program teaches students entry-level coding skills for positions in hospitals, medical offices, insurance offices and government agencies. Students learn at industry standard CPT and HCPCS levels and they also acquire skills in computer software and the medical sciences.
2. Virginia College – Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, Virginia College has eight campus locations in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma. The medical billing and coding program teaches students the fundamentals of medical office skills along with providing training in other areas needed in this field. Courses cover subjects like the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HPCS), Current Procedural terminology (CPT) and the Clinical Modification system (ICD-9-CM) coding. Virginia College also provides students with “externships” for on-the-job training. Programs vary by campus.
3. Brown Mackie College – The Brown Mackie College system offers 20 campuses located across North America. The school offers financial aid to those that qualify and specializes in offering classes that fit around the schedules of working students. Brown Mackie College also emphasizes small class sizes and professional job preparation. Students can complete individual courses in a single month. Brown Mackie College offers a certificate and a diploma program in medical coding and billing. The Medical Coding and Billing for Healthcare diploma program is available only at the Hopkinsville campus in Kentucky. The Michigan City campus in Indiana offers a certificate program in Medical Coding and Billing.
4. Kaplan College – With 40 campuses located in 10 states, Kaplan College offers many options for students looking for training in medical coding and billing. The medical coding and billing diploma program is available at 12 campuses in seven states. Instruction includes comprehensive training for work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, insurance agencies or government agencies. The focus is to prepare the student for an entry-level position at a medical facility. Kaplan College offers financial aid to students that qualify. The institution has offered classes since 1983 and currently it serves more than one million students per year.
5. National College – Founded in Virginia in 1886, National College offers more than 40 degrees at 29 campus locations in southern states. The Medical Coding and Billing diploma program offers students the chance to learn skills in used in medical offices including computer billing, medical terminology, professional ethics and medical coding. Students who complete the diploma program are eligible to take a certification examination in medical billing through the American Association of Medical Billers (AAMB). Other certification options are Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certifed Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H) through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
6. UEI College – UEI College started offering classes 25 years ago, and today it has campuses throughout California and in Jacksonville, Florida and Morrow, Georgia. The Medical Billing and Insurance Coding program is available at the Bakersfield, Fresno, Gardenia, Riverside and Stockton campuses. The training prepares students for jobs in medical and insurance offices and includes courses in managing medical records, coding procedures and diagnoses, submitting medical insurance claims, insurance billing and procedures, and stenography and transcription. UEI College offers financial aid to students that qualify and its campuses (Stockton campus pending) have accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
7. Anthem Education – Anthem Group offers courses in 23 campus locations across the United States. The Medical Billing and Coding program is available at eight campuses in eight states. The instruction trains students for entry-level billing and coding jobs in hospitals, medical offices, insurance offices and government agencies. Courses cover subjects like professional coding, medical recordkeeping and documentation, office procedures, healthcare reimbursement and medical legal issues. Anthem Group colleges receive accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges & Schools (ACICS) and from programmatic accrediting agencies.
8. Westwood College — The institution has campuses in six states and offers medical billing and coding programs at 14 campuses. Accredited by the ACCSC and ACICS, Westwood College offers financial assistance to qualifying students. The Medical Insurance Coding and Billing program offers an Associate Degree for students in this field. Training includes instruction in industry standard HCPCS, CPT and ICD-9 system coding in addition to courses in medical terminology and office procedures. Students receive “hands-on” training focused on preparing them for the workforce.
9. Concorde Colleges – Concorde Colleges specializes in training in the healthcare fields. Programs in medical coding and billing are available at 12 Concorde College campuses. For example, the Medical Office Professional (AAS) program at the Memphis campus provides an Associate of Applied Science degree in 14 months. Courses include training in medical office bookkeeping, front desk management, CPT and ICD coding, medical correspondence and transcription, medical billing and medical office software applications. Graduates can find work at hospitals, doctor’s offices, insurance companies, health maintenance companies and other healthcare facilities. Campuses receive accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
10. Florida Career College — This institution started offering classes in 1982, and currently it has 11 campuses in Florida state. The Medical Coding and Billing Specialist diploma program provides training for entry-level positions in medical and insurance offices. Graduates from the program are eligible to take the National Center for Competency Training (NCCT) exam to become a National Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist (NCICS). While the courses include preparation for the exam, the institution does not guarantee that all students will pass. Florida Career College campuses receive accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).