It Takes Just Minutes to Start Your Medical Billing and Coding Career Below
Medical Billing and Coding Instruction and Certification
It's important that you obtain your education from a reputable school, whether it's a trade school, vocational school or community college. While it is not a requirement in many cases to earn a professional certification, the school you select should be accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). Most programs just require that you earn either a high school diploma or a GED to appy. The most expedient way to become either a medical biller or coder (or both) is to attain a certificate, which typically takes about one year to complete. An Associate Degree is also an option for a more expansive education, which for the majority of colleges requires 2 years of studies. Bachelor's Degrees for medical coding and billing are not widely offered. When your education has been completed, although not mandated in most states, you might desire to acquire a professional certification. Certification is an effective way for those new to the profession to show prospective Washington employers that they are not only qualified but committed to their occupation. 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 attaining a professional certification, are the best ways to accelerate your new career and succeed in the rapid growing Washington healthcare industry.
Online Medical Billing and Coding Training
If you are interested in convenience and the flexibility of attending classes in your home, then selecting an online medical billing and coding program may be an excellent option. They can be especially attractive to individuals living in Washington who anticipate attending school while still working or have other commitments that make attending classes on campus challenging. And as an added benefit, online programs are in many cases less expensive than the standard classroom options. Costs for such items as tuition, course materials and commuting may be minimized or eliminated. But be careful, as not all online schools are reputable. For that reason it's essential to establish that any online college you select is accredited to ensure a quality education. We will address the benefits of accreditation in the next section. Just make sure to establish that any online college you are considering is accredited by one of the national accrediting agencies, for instance the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. So if you are dedicated enough to commit yourself to this type of learning, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.