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Medical Biller and Coder Programs and Certification
It's imperative that you receive your education from a reputable school, whether it's a community college, technical or trade school. Even though it is not required in most cases to earn a professional certification, the school you enroll in should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most schools simply require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to appy. The quickest way to becoming either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which typically takes about a year to complete. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more comprehensive education, which for almost all colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees in medical billing and coding are not abundantly offered. Once your education has been completed, although not mandated in the majority of states, you may want to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great means for those new to the profession to show prospective Alabama employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. A few of the organizations that provide certifications are:
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
- Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC).
- The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS).
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Graduating from an accredited medical billing and coding program, combined with earning a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing Alabama medical care industry.
Online Medical Biller and Coder Classes
If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes at home, then choosing a medical billing and coding online course may be an excellent option. They can be especially attractive to those living in Alabama who anticipate going to school while still working or have additional responsibilities that make attending classes on campus difficult. And as an additional advantage, online colleges are in many cases less expensive than the conventional classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be reduced or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online colleges are reputable. That's why it's imperative to confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited to guarantee a superior education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to establish that any online school you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to apply yourself to this mode of learning, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.