Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Arkansas: Review Programs

Looking at Online Medical Billing/Coding Classes in Arkansas

Online medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas provide course materials, lessons, and practice exercises digitally, while still providing academic and career support services that would be available to on-campus students. These online courses often allow students to follow along at their own pace, making learning even more flexible for busier students.

Other quality online programs with different costs, lengths, curriculum content and learning outcomes are also available in Arkansas, so it’s critical that you carefully consider your academic and professional goals and preferences before enrolling in any specific program. These three spotlighted online medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas will give you a foundational understanding of how these programs work in terms of course subjects, content delivery formats, program lengths and costs, national certification eligibility, and more. Continue below to see some of the best options available in Arkansas for students like you.

FAQs: Answers to Common Arkansas Student Questions

The spotlights above provide a solid look at what online medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas are all about. However, they also likely raise a number of questions about medical billing and coding programs and careers in general. The five FAQs below will hopefully answer some of those questions. If not, be sure to contact the programs your considering directly to get the answers you’re looking for.

How can I make sure a program is accredited?

You’ll likely be able to find accreditation information on either or both school and program websites; if you don’t see it there, you can use this U.S. Department of Education search engine to check current accreditation status. Accreditation is the process through which education programs (including online medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas) and the schools that offer them are determined to meet given standards of academic quality. Confirming proper accreditation is important because it is your way of knowing that a program is worth your time, effort, and money. It’s also important since graduating from an accredited medical billing and coding program is almost always a prerequisite for obtaining national certification.

What are some entry level medical coding and billing jobs?

There are a surprising number of career options out there for medical billing and coding professionals, some of which may require additional specialized training or work experience, or a specific national certification credential. However, completing your online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas and obtaining one of the basic national certifications (like the CPB or CPC) is all you’ll need to land an entry level job to launch your medical billing and coding career. Common entry level job titles include Certified Medical Biller, Certified Medical Coder, Medical Insurance Specialist, Medical Records Technician, Health Information Clerk, and much more. Entry level positions are commonly found in a wide range of settings such as hospitals, medical clinics, physician’s offices, health insurance companies, and government health services agencies.

How much do medical billing and coding programs cost?

The total cost of your online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas will depend greatly upon the type of credential you decide to pursue (certification course, certificate, or associate degree) and where you choose to obtain it. The good news is that pursuing an Arkansas-based medical billing/coding program online means getting your education through an affordable public college or university. The cost figures mentioned in the three program spotlights above will give you a good idea of the range of non-degree certificate and certification course prices. However, if you’re thinking about a full associate degree program like the AAS in Medical Billing and Coding from UA Grantham, expect a total program price tag of around $20,000 or more.

Keep in mind that many medical billing and coding students substantially lower their education costs by taking advantage of any of a number of in-house and external scholarships and other financial aid resources. Most external funding sources are not available to students in non-credit programs, however, so be sure to contact the programs you’re considering directly to see if you qualify for any other funding help.

What’s the difference between medical billing and medical coding?

Generally, medical billing concerns the processing and submission of payment claims to patients and insurance companies for reimbursement, while medical coding involves the process of translating medical treatments and procedures into a manageable form through the application of a standardized alphanumeric system for use in patient medical records, insurance forms, and for health services billing. Your online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas may prepare you to work as a medical biller, medical coder, or, very often, both. It’s important that you understand the differences between medical billing and coding – and exactly what each of the programs you’re considering will train you to do – before you enroll.

Can I really work remotely as a medical biller or coder?

You absolutely can, though the extent to which you can work remotely will depend on your specific job and employer. For example, it is quite common for medical billers and coders to work part of the time from home or another off-site location, and part of the time at their employer’s office or medical facility. Other medical billing and coding professionals will be able to work remotely on a full-time basis. This is because the nature of medical billing and coding work, which is practically entirely carried out on computer, lends itself well to the remote work environment. To work remotely as a medical biller and/or coder, you’ll need the necessary HIPAA-compliant medical billing/coding software typically provided by your employer, a secure internet connection, and your trusty computer.

Certifications and Continuing Education in Arkansas

The State of Arkansas does not license medical billers or coders, nor does it require any form of certification (or even a formal education, for that matter) to work as a medical biller or coder in the state. For all practical purposes, however, you will need to complete a properly accredited medical billing/coding education program and obtain one or more national certifications in the medical billing and coding field. The reason is simple: Practically all employers of medical billing and coding professionals – in Arkansas and elsewhere – require national certification of all job applicants. There are a host of reputable national certifications available. Among the most popular are the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the AAPC. Be sure to check with each medical billing and coding program you’re considering to find out which national certifications the program will qualify you for.

Like licensing and certification, there are no state-mandated continuing education requirements for medical billers and coders in Arkansas. You will, however, need to meet certain renewal requirements to maintain your national certification(s). These requirements vary by certification type, but almost always include completion of a specified number of continuing education units (CEUs) during each renewal period.

How Much Do Medical Billers and Coders Make in Arkansas?