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Medical Coder and Biller Education and Certification
It's essential that you obtain your training from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Even though it is not required in many cases to earn a professional certification, the program you enroll in should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). The majority of schools only require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to appy. The fastest way to become either a medical coder or biller (or both) is to attain a certificate, which generally takes about a year to complete. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for most colleges calls for two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical billing and coding are not widely available. Once your education has been completed, although not required in most states, you may desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is a great way for those new to the field to show prospective Connecticut employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. Just some 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 coding and billing course, combined with attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to advance your new vocation and succeed in the fast growing Connecticut healthcare field.
Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs
If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes at home, then selecting a medical billing and coding online course may be a great option. They can be especially appealing to students living in Connecticut who anticipate going to school while still working or have other responsibilities that make going to classes on campus difficult. And as an added advantage, online schools are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom alternatives. Expenses for such items as tuition, commuting and study materials may be decreased or eliminated. But be cautious, as not all online colleges are reputable. For that reason it's essential to confirm that the online school you choose is accredited to ensure a premium education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to confirm that any online college you are researching is accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations, for example the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are disciplined enough to apply yourself to this style of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.