Which Online Schools Offer Programs for Becoming a Medical Coder?

<h3 id="section---Overview">Overview</h3> <p>Every medicine, diagnosis, and medical treatment can be represented by a numerical or alphanumerical code. Someone who wishes to work in Medical Coding and Billing will need to learn about the different codes and how to apply them. Students may wish to consider taking online courses, which allow for more flexibility during the education process. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td> Medical Terminology, Medical Law, and Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Coders</td></tr> <tr><td>Entry-Level Education</td><td> Post-secondary non-degree</td></tr> <tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> High school diploma or GED; may increase chances of acceptance by completing high-school level courses such as Biology, Computer Science, and Health</td></tr> <tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td> Certification through a professional organization such as the AAPC may be helpful in gaining employment; certifications typically require renewal through continuing education courses</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</td><td> 7% (<i>for medical records and health information technicians</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2023)**</td><td> $47,095 (<i>for medical coders</i>)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; **PayScale.com</i> </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineSchoolsOfferingProgramsForMedicalCoderDurhamTechnicalCommunityCollegeInNorthCarolina">Online Schools Offering Programs for Medical Coder - Durham Technical Community College in North Carolina</h3> <p>Durham offers an online medical coding certificate for individuals looking to become Medical Coders. Graduates of the program may find positions in hospices, home healthcare, nursing facilities, physicians' offices, outpatient facilities or hospitals. In addition to diagnostic and procedure coding, course topics for this online Medical Coder program include subjects such as medical billing and insurance and electronic health records. </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineSchoolsOfferingProgramsForMedicalCoderAlexandriaTechnicalCollegeInMinnesota">Online Schools Offering Programs for Medical Coder - Alexandria Technical College in Minnesota</h3> <p>The Medical Coding Specialist program at Alexandria is offered totally online. Students study medical coding and finance, laboratory medicine, pharmacology, medical terminology, physiology and anatomy. Students gain experience with software programs that include 3M Encoder and a medical records electronic system. Hands-on experience is gained through an internship. Courses include: </p> <ul><li>Basic Pathology </li><li>Applied Medical Terminology </li><li>Reimbursements and Medicolegal </li><li>Introduction to and Intermediate CPT </li><li>Introduction to and Intermediate ICD Coding </li></ul><h3 id="section---OnlineSchoolsOfferingProgramsForMedicalCoderStCharlesCommunityCollegeInCottlevilleMissouri">Online Schools Offering Programs for Medical Coder - St Charles Community College in Cottleville, Missouri</h3> <p>The Medical Coding program at St Charles is an online program designed to train students for entry-level positions as Medical Coders. If a student studies for 12-15 hours each week, the program takes about a year to complete. Students can be prepared to pursue national certification after completing this program. Topics included in the course of study: </p> <ul><li>Legal and Compliance Issues in Coding </li><li>Reimbursement Methodologies </li><li>Healthcare Data Systems </li><li>Procedural Coding </li></ul><h3 id="section---OtherOnlineSchoolsOfferingProgramsForBecomingAMedicalCoder">Other Online Schools Offering Programs for Becoming a Medical Coder</h3> <p>The following institutions also offer online medical coding specialist studies: </p> <ul><li>Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin </li><li>Everett Community College in Washington </li><li>Santa Barbara City College in California </li><li>Moraine Park Technical College in Wisconsin</li></ul>