Unlocking the door to a rewarding medical billing and coding career does not have to come at a hefty price tag. You can kick-start your journey into this career for absolutely free.
If that sounds interesting to you, then you have to stay with me as I walk you through the best free online medical billing and coding certification programs in the USA.
Before I begin, you must know that the projected job outlook for medical records and health information technicians is on an 8% increase, according to recent findings by the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics.
This tells you that you are in for a high-demand career. Now, allow me to find you the perfect free online course.
If you want to learn about other medical records programs, see the 10 Best Electronic Medical Records Training Programs.
List of 10 Free Online Medical Billing and Coding Certification Programs in the USA
- AMCI Free Introduction to Medical Coding (i2MC)
- Diploma in Medical Coding and Billing
- Basics of Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Basics of Medical Billing and Coding Online Course
- Medical Billing and Coding Essentials
- Medical Billing and Coding Fundamentals Specialization
- Free Medical Billing and Coding Certification Program
- AI and Big Data in Global Health Improvement
- Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering
10 Free Online Medical Billing and Coding Certification Programs in the USA
AMCI Free Introduction to Medical Coding (i2MC)
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it runs for 8 weeks.
- Program provider: The Absolute Medical Coding Institute offers this course.
Introduction to Medical Coding (i2MC) is a free online course centered on basic ICD-10-CM (Diagnosis) and CPT (Procedure) coding. It is the first part of the advanced AMCI Medical Coding Dual Course.
The course is for you if you are a beginner in medical coding. You will learn the ICD-10-CM guidelines, including signs and symptoms for specific diagnoses.
Medical terminology is included in the syllabus. You will also have the opportunity to practice with basic coding scenarios.
From my research, I discovered that a significant percentage of students enrolled in this course pass the average score for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam.
For more information about the program, see AMCI Free Introduction to Medical Coding (i2MC).
Diploma in Medical Coding and Billing
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it takes about 15–20 hours to complete.
- Program provider: Advance Learning, Nursing, and Medical published this course on Alison.
Diploma in Medical Coding and Billing is a CPD-accredited course where you will learn your role as a medical assistant in healthcare administration. This is all part of what you should know as a medical billing and coding specialist. You can take online medical assistant certification programs for further learning.
Finding the correct codes ensures that insurance companies reimburse all involved parties in healthcare accurately and ethically. In this course, you will learn how to effectively execute this.
Medical terminology and the effective use of medical coding systems are also included in the modules.
The free course only offers value. If you want to obtain a certificate of completion, you must pay a specified amount.
For more information about the program, see Diploma in Medical Coding and Billing.
Basics of Medical Billing and Coding
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it takes about 4–5 hours to complete.
- Program provider: Study Box published this course on Alison.
Another Alison course that will get your medical billing and coding career up and running is the Basics of Medical Billing and Coding.
In this course, you will learn how to convert medical operations, diagnoses, and treatments into alphanumeric codes. You will also become familiar with the various coding systems and classifications currently in use.
The topics in this course include electronic health records, practice management software, and advanced coding techniques.
As with most Alison courses, Basics of Medical Billing and Coding is a CPD-accredited course. A certificate is available upon purchase.
Although it is an introductory course, all the valuable topics in medical billing and coding were included. I also like how simplified and well-structured the course is.
For more information about the program, see Basics of Medical Billing and Coding.
Medical Billing and Coding
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: there is no specific information regarding the program duration.
- Program provider: Medical Billing and Coding Certification is the program provider.
Medical Billing and Coding is a series of video lectures covering every topic in medical billing and coding. The teaching is also available in e-books and PowerPoint slides that you can download.
The course consists of six sections. The first section is a general overview of medical billing and coding. Subsequent sections go deeper into the medical coding process. You will learn about different code sets and how to use them.
Section five of the course will prepare you for the American Association of Professional Coder’s Certified Professional Coder exam. By the end of the course, you will have learned how to start your own medical billing and coding practice.
The use of high-quality images in the lecture made learning more effective. I also did a little research on the site moderator, Joleen Pereira. She is a professional medical coder with years of experience — someone you want to learn from.
For more information about the program, see Introduction — Medical Billing and Coding.
Basics of Medical Billing and Coding Online Course
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it is a self-paced course with no specific deadlines.
- Program provider: it is a course packaged by Free Medical Billing Training.
Basics of Medical Billing and Coding Online Course is a shortened version of a paid course offered by Free Medical Billing Training.
The paid package includes more than 50 video tutorials, 45 crucial forms for medical offices, and downloadable versions of around 200 pages of presentation content. However, this abbreviated course only contains 10 lessons.
Nevertheless, it is of high informative value and can set you on your way to a fulfilling medical billing and coding career.
In this program, you will learn about medical billing and coding terminology and acronyms. You will also receive tutorials on the different health insurance plans, and their unique claim requirements.
To learn more about medical terminology, see the 11 Best Free Online Medical Terminology Courses with Certificate.
For more information about the program, see Basics of Medical Billing and Coding Online Course.
Medical Billing and Coding Essentials
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it takes about 7 hours to complete it.
- Program provider: it is offered by MedCerts on Coursera.
Medical Billing and Coding Essentials, as the name suggests is a beginner-level course. It operates with flexible schedules, making it easier for you to combine learning with other responsibilities.
In the course, you will learn about the phases of the revenue cycle, from patient registration to insurance verification. The course instructors broke down insurance terminology into bits you can easily grasp.
Confidentiality, billing laws, regulations, and standards are other concepts you will have demonstrable knowledge about by the end of the course.
Having carried out detailed research, I consider this among the best medical billing and coding certificate programs for beginners, as the concepts were well explained.
For more information about the program, see Medical Billing and Coding Essentials.
Medical Billing and Coding Fundamentals Specialization
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it takes 1 month (10 hours a week) to complete.
- Program provider: it is a Coursera course offered by MedCerts.
This is a more advanced course to Medical Billing and Coding Essentials. It is also a self-paced course you can learn at your convenience.
The program is a series of three courses. The first course helps you understand your roles as a healthcare professional.
The second course delves into medical terminology and the human body fundamentals. The last part of the program then explains the medical billing and coding essentials.
A paid MedCerts certificate is available upon completion of the program.
For more information about the program, see Medical Billing and Coding Fundamentals.
Free Medical Billing and Coding Certification Program
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it is a self-paced program that you can complete in 14–16 weeks.
- Program provider: it is a training offered by Penn Foster Online through Cross Purpose.
This free medical billing and coding certification program provides an opportunity to earn a diploma, which you can immediately use to apply for jobs. It is a hands-on apprenticeship training where you learn job-ready skills in medical billing and coding.
After you finish the online training, you will know how to read patient files and pick out important details. You will also learn how to choose the right codes for these records so insurance companies can be billed correctly.
Additionally, you will be able to work closely with doctors and assistants to make sure everything is accurate. You will get good at keeping track of patient info over time and handling it carefully to protect people’s privacy and keep data safe.
One good thing I discovered about Cross Purpose learning is that you can earn as you learn. The institute can offer you a stipend of up to $200 monthly.
For more information about the program, see Free Medical Billing and Coding Certification Program.
AI and Big Data in Global Health Improvement
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: the program runs for 4 weeks (2 hours of learning per week).
- Program provider: it is a program by Taipei Medical University offered on FutureLearn.
AI and Big Data in Global Health Improvement is a CPD-accredited course where you explore the pros and cons of sharing healthcare data globally.
The course begins with investigations on how AI can enhance medical and patient safety. You will examine issues like mistakes in medications and prescriptions, and discover how AI can decrease these errors.
The second aspect of the course focuses on big data. In this part, you will learn how to share healthcare data across the world.
The closing modules of the course center on Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI). Here, you will understand the importance of analytics and how they make health data relevant.
From my experience with FutureLearn courses, I can guarantee that you will gain pure value from this course. You can also earn a certificate when you upgrade your subscription on the site.
For more information about the program, see AI and Big Data in Global Health.
Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering
Here is an overview of the program:
- Program duration: it involves approximately 5 hours of learning and runs for 3 weeks (about 1 hour per week).
- Program provider: it is a Johns Hopkins University course offered on Coursera.
Several healthcare systems are currently operational in the medical billing and coding field. In this course, you will learn different system types, including their attributes and characteristics.
The course will explore the current challenges in healthcare delivery and how and why the system engineering approach can solve these challenges.
Enrollment in this course is free. However, you need to pay a certain amount to unlock the assessment and obtain the certificate.
Financial aid is available to help you with the burden.
For more information about the program, see Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering.
Are Online Medical Billing and Coding Certification Programs Worth it?
Online medical billing and coding certification programs can indeed be worth it if you want to enter or advance in the healthcare industry. These programs offer flexible learning options, allowing you to study at your pace and from the comfort of your home.
Additionally, online programs often cover the same curriculum as traditional in-person programs. They provide comprehensive training in medical terminology, coding systems, and billing procedures.
Moreover, online programs are usually more affordable than traditional on-campus options, making them accessible to a wider range of learners. Many of them, like the ones I highlighted in this article, are even free.
However, there are many scam programs online. I have come across some of them. I advise you to do proper research and only apply to programs from reputable providers.
Ultimately, the value of an online medical billing and coding certification program depends on your goals, learning preferences, and career aspirations. You must know what you want and how best to achieve it.
How to Become a Certified Medical Biller and Coder Online
To become a certified medical biller and coder online, you can adhere to the following guide:
- Meet the basic requirements: Becoming a medical biller and coder usually begins with acquiring a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED.
- Search for programs: The next thing to do is research accredited online programs offering comprehensive medical coding and billing training. Look for programs recognized by reputable organizations like the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
- Enroll in a program: Choose a medical billing and coding certification program that suits your schedule and learning style. These programs cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, coding systems (such as ICD-10 and CPT), and billing procedures.
- Prepare for certification exams: After completing the program, prepare for certification exams such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by AAPC or the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by AHIMA. Passing these exams demonstrates proficiency in medical coding and billing practices.
- Update your resume and explore job opportunities: Upon passing the exam, obtain certification, add them to your resume, and explore job opportunities in medical billing and coding. You can send applications to hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, or medical billing agencies.
How Much Do Medical Billers and Coders Earn in the United States?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median annual wage for a medical biller and coder is $47,180. More recent data from Salary.com, places the average annual salary at $84,188. Generally, the value varies between $31,710 and $75,460.
The factors responsible for the variation in salaries include location, level of experience, and employer. Entry-level positions may earn the lowest salary, while more experienced professionals with specialized skills or certifications may earn much higher.
If you work in a metropolitan area or for a large healthcare organization, you can earn more compared to rural settings or smaller facilities. For example, people working in metropolitan cities like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles usually have the highest earning potential in the US.
As a result of these variations, you must research salary trends specific to your region and industry to understand your earning potential better.
FAQs On Best Free Online Medical Billing and Coding Certification Programs in the USA
Which Certification is Best for Medical Billing and Coding?
I consider the CPC certification offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) the best medical billing and coding certification. This is because it is the most widely sought-after certification by students aspiring to become medical billers and coders.
Can I Get a Coding Certificate Online?
Yes, you can obtain a medical coding certificate online through various accredited programs. Many educational institutions offer online courses designed to prepare you for certification exams such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam.
How Long is a Coding Course?
Many coding courses are self-paced. As a result, the duration of the course depends on you. However, coding courses typically take from a few months to a year.
Conclusion
There you have it! I have shown you the best free medical billing and coding certification programs in the USA. The availability of these programs provides an accessible pathway into this growing field.
I suggest you carefully review them to choose the one that suits you best. I wish you success as you take the bold step toward a fulfilling medical billing and coding career.
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