Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Colorado: Program Review

Exploring Online Medical Billing/Coding Classes in Colorado

Your success as a professional biller and coder begins with finding the right medical billing and coding education program for you. So, the first thing to know as you begin your program search is that there are several different types of programs to choose from. They include:

• Basic courses designed to quickly prepare you for national certification and entry-level jobs;
• Certificate and diploma programs that offer a balance of brevity and training comprehensiveness; and
• Associate degree programs that combine general education and medical billing/coding-specific coursework for those seeking a more well-rounded education with an eye toward continuing their academic studies in the future.

We’ve spotlighted below three schools in Colorado currently offering medical billing and coding programs to give you an idea of what you can expect to find during your program search in terms of academic content and learning outcomes, delivery methods, student support services, costs and completion times, and more.

Providing Answers to Common Questions from Colorado Students

The spotlights above have likely answered many of the questions you have about Colorado medical billing and coding programs. However, they’ve probably raised a few others. Here are answers to five commonly asked questions by students regarding medical billing and coding programs and careers in general.

Is medical billing and coding hard?

“Hard” is a relative term. A job that’s hard for some is easy – or at least not so hard – for others. Like any other occupation, becoming a successful biller or coder requires possession of several particular skills and traits. They include attention to detail, a strong facility for working with numbers, and solid computer and communication skills. Additionally, those who will be working remotely will need to be highly organized, self-disciplined, and proficient at working independently. By the way, it’s probably a good idea to point out here that you’ll need these same skills and traits to be successful in your online medical billing and coding education program as well.

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

Although closely related and often carried out by the same professional, medical billing and medical coding are separate practices. Generally speaking:

• Medical billing is the practice of processing and submitting claims for medical treatment and services provided to patients and/or their insurance providers for reimbursement.
• Medical coding concerns the conversion of medical diagnoses, treatments, and services into an understandable form for healthcare providers, insurance companies, and others through the use of standardized alphanumeric codes.

It’s important to have a clear understanding of the different job duties and skillsets needed for each of these practices. It’s also important to be aware of the fact that, while many online medical billing and coding programs in Colorado will prepare you to handle both activities, some offer training in only one or the other.

Is it really possible to work from home as a medical biller/coder?

It is absolutely possible to work from home as a medical biller or coder. Whether you actually do work from home will depend on your particular employer and specific job duties. It’s also quite common for medical billers and coders to spend part of the time working remotely and part of the time working in their employer’s office or medical facility. If you do work from home or some other off-site location, you will need a reliable computer with the capacity to handle the necessary (typically employer-provided) medical billing and coding software, as well as a HIPAA-compliant secure internet connection.

Is medical billing and coding a real career?

Don’t let the fact that medical billers and coders often work from home fool you. Medical billing and coding is a real career. First of all, as we mentioned in the introduction and discussed in the salaries section below, medical billers and coders enjoy solid earnings at all salary levels. Exceptional job security and growth potential are also major benefits of a medical billing and coding career in both the U.S. overall and Colorado in particular. The potential for advancement in the field is also real. In fact, the number of job options for medical billing and coding professionals along all points of their careers will surprise you.

Can I get help to fund my online medical billing and coding training?

One of the biggest plusses in pursuing a career in medical billing and coding is that you can get the training you need without the substantial expense of completing a full college degree program. Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon for medical billing and coding students to seek out some form of financial aid to help pay for their educations. Fortunately, there are financial aid resources out there for qualifying medical billing/coding students, including scholarships and grants, tuition payment plans, and more. It’s important to note, however, that some mainstream funding resources (particularly government-sourced programs like federal student loans) are not available to students in non-credit programs. Regardless, your best bet in locating the assistance you need is to contact a financial aid advisor at each of the programs you’re considering before you enroll.

Certification and Continuing Education Options in Colorado

The State of Colorado does not issue licenses nor does it require any form of certification, formal training, or continuing education to work as a medical biller or coder in the state. Nevertheless, finding employment in the medical billing and coding field in Colorado (or any other state in the U.S.) will require that you complete a formal education, like the kind you’ll get in any of the online medical billing and coding programs in Colorado discussed in this guide. You’ll need to obtain national certification as well. That’s because virtually all employers will only hire medical billers and coders with formal training and national certification.

There are lots of reputable national certifications in the billing and coding field available. Examples include the AACP’s Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS). It’s typical for individual medical billing and coding programs to provide eligibility to only a small number of certification types, though. So, be sure you’re clear on which ones a program will qualify you for before you sign up.

What Do Medical Billers and Coders Make in Colorado?

Colorado offers strong earning potential for medical billing and coding professionals, with a median salary of $55,660—well above the national median of $48,780. High earners can make up to $82,980 statewide, with Denver-Aurora-Lakewood leading the way at $62,030 for the median and $85,890 at the 90th percentile. Fort Collins and Pueblo also offer competitive salaries, making Colorado a promising state for professionals seeking financial stability and career advancement.

While Colorado’s 19.5% job growth rate is nearly double the national average, the relatively small size of the field means job openings are limited, with an estimated 220 annual opportunities. This makes certification and specialization a must for standing out in a competitive market. Whether you’re drawn to bustling metro areas or smaller cities, Colorado’s growing healthcare industry provides a solid foundation for a rewarding career. Check out the tables below for more details about salaries and job prospects.