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Medical Biller and Coder Education and Certification
It's imperative that you receive your instruction from a reputable school, whether it's a technical school, vocational school or community college. Although it is not a requirement in most cases to attain a professional certification, the program you choose should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most programs just require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED to be eligible. The fastest way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to obtain a certificate, which normally takes about 1 year to accomplish. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for almost all programs requires two years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely offered. Once your training has been completed, although not mandated in most states, you may desire to attain a professional certification. Certification is an excellent way for those new to the field to show prospective Pennsylvania employers that they are not only qualified but dedicated to their career. 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).
Completing an accredited medical coding and billing course, in conjunction with obtaining a professional certification, are the most effective ways to advance your new career and succeed in the fast growing Pennsylvania healthcare industry.
Medical Biller and Coder Online Schools
If you are interested in flexibility and the convenience of attending classes in your home, then enrolling in a medical billing and coding online program may be a good option. They can be particularly attractive to individuals living in Pennsylvania who anticipate attending school while continuing to work or have additional commitments that make going to classes on campus challenging. And as an added benefit, online programs are frequently less expensive than the traditional classroom options. Expenses for such things as tuition, study materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online courses are reputable. That's why it's imperative to confirm that any online school you select is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the advantages of accreditation in the next section. Just be sure to check that any online instruction you are looking at is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to apply yourself to this type of learning, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.