Self-Paced Medical Billing and Coding Programs Online 2025

If you're interested in starting a new career in the healthcare industry, you may want to consider a self-paced medical billing and coding online course. These flexible programs allow you to complete your studies on your own time and work around other commitments in your busy life.

In this article, we'll look at several schools that offer medical billing and coding online. We'll also answer a few questions you may have about taking a self-paced medical coding course.

What Is Medical Billing and Coding?

Medical billing and coding are two closely related tasks often grouped into a single profession. Medical billers work to ensure healthcare providers are paid for their services, while medical coders translate medical records into universal codes for billing purposes.

Medical billing and coding professionals play essential roles in the healthcare field. These entry-level healthcare professionals ensure the flow of revenue throughout the healthcare industry while conforming to patient privacy laws and other regulations.

These professionals can pursue a variety of industry certifications that may be required to help them meet specific career goals. They must be organized, detail-oriented, and analytical to succeed in their medical billing and coding careers.

How Do I Become a Medical Biller and Coder?

Medical billing and coding is one of few healthcare careers that don't require a degree � though some schools do offer associate degree programs in the field. More often, aspiring billers and coders complete online classes that lead to professional certificates.

Though it may be possible to find free medical billing and coding courses, most of these courses cost anywhere from $1,500 to several thousand dollars. They are often available as self-paced programs that students can complete within one year or less.

Once you complete your training program, you can pursue various industry certifications through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and other organizations. Common certifications include:

• Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

Self-Paced Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Various colleges and career schools provide medical billing and coding classes students can complete at their own pace. Let's look at some top accredited self-paced online colleges and the medical billing and coding training programs they offer.

1. U.S. Career Institute

The U.S. Career Institute is a private online school headquartered in Colorado. It provides various self-paced certificates and associate degrees, including a billing and coding program.

The program is the most affordable on our list. It helps students learn to understand and apply ICD-10-CM and CPT codes in real-world settings and prepares them to sit for the CBCS and CPC-A certification exams.

Program cost: $1,599

Estimated program length: Five to 12 months

2. Penn Foster Career School

The Penn Foster Career School is a for-profit institution headquartered in Pennsylvania. Students can enroll in an affordable medical coding program at this school.

Students in this program are prepared for the CPC exam. Upon successful course completion, they receive a voucher to cover the cost of the exam. The highly flexible program allows students up to 18 months to finish their studies; however, it's possible to finish at a much faster pace.

Program cost: $2,199

Estimated program length: 18 months

3. Aims Community College

Aims Community College is a public school with various locations in northern Colorado. It offers an affordable medical billing and coding program in partnership with Ed2Go.

Students in this program learn medical coding languages, including ICD-10-PCS and HCPCS Level II. They can then choose a voucher to cover the cost of one of three industry-standard certification exams.

Program cost: $2,995

Estimated program length: 12 months

4. Alamo Colleges District

The Alamo Colleges District is a system of community colleges in Texas. Students can pursue an online medical billing and coding course through this school system and its partnership with Ed2Go.

The program teaches fundamentals of medical terminology, coding languages, and legal and ethical considerations. Students gain hands-on practice in the skills they will use on the job and are awarded a voucher for one of three certification exams once they complete the program.

Program cost: $3,095

Estimated program length: 12 months

5. California State University San Marcos

California State University San Marcos is another school offering a medical billing and coding program through Ed2Go. This self-paced, open-enrollment program can be completed within 12 months or less.

Students learn about coding systems and terminology, medical billing and reimbursement, and other key skills for this career path. Graduates can choose a voucher for the certification exam of their choice.

Program cost: $3,195

Estimated program length: 12 months

6. Auburn University

Auburn University is a public university located in Alabama. It offers various online programs, including a self-paced medical billing and coding certificate.

The program teaches about different coding systems and the basic process for filing insurance claims and other billing forms. Students can complete the course at their own pace if they finish within six months.

Program cost: $3,250

Estimated program length: Six months

7. College of Western Idaho

The College of Western Idaho is a community college with several campuses and an online component. Its online medical billing and coding professional certificate is designed to meet the needs of busy nontraditional students.

The program helps students master skills in billing, using coding systems, and understanding medical terminology. All courses are self-paced, and students receive a CPC exam voucher upon successful completion of the program.

Program cost: $3,699

Estimated program length: 12 months

8. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri is a public college providing various types and levels of online programs. One of these programs is a self-paced professional medical billing and coding program.

The program consists of 476 clock hours and covers a range of topics, including the healthcare delivery system, applied PCS, anatomy, advanced coding techniques, and various reimbursement methods. Students are prepared for careers in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and billing outsourcing companies.

Program cost: $3,699

Estimated program length: 12 months

9. Fort Myers Technical College

Fort Myers Technical College is located in Florida. It offers a self-paced medical billing and coding online program for busy adults looking to change careers.

Students learn numerous concepts and principles, from anatomy and physiology to coding languages, reimbursement options, and legal and ethical considerations. The program prepares students to sit for the CPC or Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exams through the AAPC.

Program cost: $5,225

Estimated program length: 10 to 12 months

10. Ultimate Medical Academy

Ultimate Medical Academy is a private, nonprofit career school in Florida. It offers an online diploma and associate degree in medical billing and coding.

The self-paced diploma program consists of 39 credit hours and covers several topics, such as procedural coding, healthcare communication, and pathophysiology. Students are prepared to sit for the CPC exam upon successfully completing the program.

Program cost: $18,525

Estimated program length: 11 months

Explore Online Certification Programs

If you're ready to take your place in the medical field with medical billing and coding certification, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their programs and to choose the one that's right for you.