Is There a 4 Week Online Course for Medical Coding and Billing?
Some online medical coding and billing courses can be completed in just a matter of months, with even a select few that you can finish within a handful of weeks. Some students may wonder if there is a 4-week medical coding and billing course available online, and if so, would it be worth the money? In this guide, explore answers to these questions while exploring the best medical billing and coding courses for students like you.
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Featured 4-Week Medical Billing and Coding Programs Online
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 7 percent growth in medical billing and coding job openings in the field between 2021 and 2031. What’s more, both medical billing and medical coding are fairly quick to enter and complete, and the ability to attend many programs entirely online offers convenient access to the field.
Fully-online programs exist for both medical billing and medical coding. Through online learning, students are taught to process patients’ medical information into codes used by insurance companies and medical facilities with courses that can be available for students to access on their own schedule. When condensed into a shorter timeframe, an accelerated online program allows for faster entry into medical billing and coding roles while still ensuring that students gain the necessary knowledge of digital platforms, coding systems, electronic health records (HER), and more.
Continue on to our spotlights of some of the fastest medical billing and coding program options available and learn just how quickly you can gain certification and enter the field.
MedicalBillingCourse.com
MedicalBillingCourse.com offers an online Certified Medical Billing Professional Certificate that students can complete in about 4 weeks. Unlike some programs that combine medical billing and medical coding, this course focuses solely on the skills needed for effective medical billing. Through a practical curriculum, you’ll tackle topics that arise in the day-to-day operations of a medical billing professional. Utilizing a live simulation software program, you’ll gain hands-on billing experience directly applicable to real-world scenarios. Each student is assigned a course instructor and has access to a 24/7 student support forum. Upon completion of this program, students will receive Certified Medical Billing Professional designations.
Duration: Four weeks
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $699.95
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or GED
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Medical Billing
- Understanding Medical Office Forms
- Medical Insurance Coverage
- Medical Billing Codes & Modifiers
- CMS 1500 Form Breakdown
- Life Cycle of a Medical Insurance Claim
- Working with Practice/Medical Software
- Understanding HIPAA
Rasmussen University
Rasmussen University’s Medical Billing and Coding Certificate allows full-time students to complete the program in just nine months. Through interactive classes with instructors and peers, students tackle virtual labs, practical case studies, and real-world coding and billing situations. You also have access to a seemingly endless list of resources like redacted patient records and simulation activities designed to prepare you for your career in the medical field. Credits earned in this diploma track transfer seamlessly to Rasmussen’s other health-related undergraduate programs. This program is not available to residents of all states, so check with Rasmussen’s admissions department before enrolling.
Duration: Nine months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $13,302
Admissions Requirements:
Curriculum:
- Coding Foundations
- Health Information Law and Ethics
- Medical Billing and Coding Practicum
MedCert
MedCert’s 14-week Medical Billing Specialist Program offers 100% online technical training that leads to national certification. Topics covered include medical terminology, insurance benefits, and healthcare law. Additionally, students acquire practical knowledge about administrative work in a medical setting. In addition to a flexible curriculum, you also have access to various student services. MedCert provides student success advisors available 24 hours a day throughout the 14-week program. Other perks include a personal career services advisor and an in-depth exam preparation process. Students interested in this online medical billing program must have a high school diploma or GED.
Duration: 14 weeks
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,500
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Web browser with internet connection
Curriculum:
- Professionalism in Allied Health
- Insurance and Billing, and Coding Essentials
- Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology
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FAQs About 4-Week Online Medical Billing/Coding Programs
With so many options for medical billing and coding programs, you’re bound to have plenty of questions about how to find the best program to fit your needs— and if a four-week program is really the way to go. We’ve included students’ most common questions and their answers below.
Is there a 4-week online course for medical coding and billing?
Yes, there are two available four-week online courses for medical billing and coding. One is available at MedicalBillingCourse.com, and another at PhlebotomyCareerTraining.com. These four-week programs offer students a quick and affordable way to prepare for a career in medical billing and coding. Each of these programs come in under $700, bringing the total bill to a much cheaper price than it costs to attend a longer program. However, it’s important to note that they may be considerably limited in scope compared to traditional programs.
What is the shortest medical billing and coding course?
Four-week medical billing and coding courses are the shortest courses available. The next shortest courses are six weeks long, like the one offered by the Institute of Medical and Business Careers. There are also 8-week courses available from traditional colleges and universities, like the Online Medical Billing and Coding Class from Southern New Hampshire University. Generally speaking, shorter programs are pared down to just the basics of medical billing and/or coding, while longer programs include more thorough instruction.
Can you learn medical coding in a month?
While a four-week course will technically prepare you to take the certification exam, it may not have the depth of education and resources to help medical billing and coding students launch a successful career than if you were to pursue longer studies. In a longer program, you’ll have more time (and more required courses) to learn the comprehensive ins and outs of medical billing and coding.
What is the shortest medical coding program?
The shortest medical coding programs available online are from MedicalBillingCourse.com and PhlebotomyCareerTraining.com. Either of these courses will provide you with a basic understanding of medical billing and coding procedures and the foundation of what you’ll need to know to take a certification exam. However, the time it takes to finish one of these programs will also depend on how much time you can dedicate to completing the program.
Are 4-week medical billing/coding programs recommended?
No, as choosing a more robust program that covers all the educational bases will leave you thoroughly prepared for medical billing and coding certification examinations, giving you a more solid foundation for your career. This industry requires a thorough understanding of healthcare terminology and insurance codes, and that can be difficult to master in just four weeks. Longer programs also provide more time for hands-on experience, which is beneficial for most students.
