Medical Billing & Coding Schools Online: Review Hawaii's Top Programs

A Closer Look at Online Medical Billing/Coding Classes in Hawai’i

There are different types of online medical billing and coding programs in Hawai’i, including both diplomas and certificates. The program that is best for you will depend on what’s included in the program, total time to completion, tuition costs and financial aid, and more. Some programs may be fully online, while others are offered in a hybrid form. Classes can be synchronous, asynchronous, or self-paced. The point is that these online medical billing and coding programs are meant to be as flexible as possible to accommodate a busy student’s schedule.

The duration of the program depends on your career timeline. If you want to enter the medical billing and coding profession quickly, a certificate or diploma program can be completed in as little as six months to a year. There are even accelerated programs that can be completed in four weeks. However, if you want to keep the option of obtaining a bachelor’s degree open, a two to three-year associate’s degree would be a better fit. Below are a few high-quality online medical billing and coding programs in Hawai’i to get you started in your research and give you an idea of what you can potentially expect:

Responding Common Questions from Hawai’i Students

You may have some questions before enrolling in an online Hawai’i medical billing and coding program. In fact, most students want all the facts before making a major time and financial commitment to a program. To make things easier, here are some commonly asked questions and answers for you:

How much does a medical billing and coding online course cost?

The costs of online medical billing and coding programs in Hawai’i vary depending on the specific school and program. As indicated in the school spotlights above, current total program costs range from just under $3,000 for Kaua’i Community College’s Medical Billing and Coding course to just under $5,000 for the CPC program from AAPC. Along with course content, these programs include such things in their program price tags as access to textbooks and other support materials and vouchers for professional certification exams. Also, most programs offerfinancial aid assistance to qualifying students that can substantially reduce program costs.

How much do medical billing and coding professionals in Hawai’i make?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants in Hawai’i, who typically handle billing and coding duties, make an average of $47,840 per year. As this is only an average, salaries will vary somewhat, with more experienced medical billing and coding professionals, as well as those in large metro areas, likely to earn more. As a medical billing and coding specialist in Hawai’i, you might consider pursuing nationally-recognized certification, or a degree in a relevant field, in order to be eligible for more highly-paid roles in the field.

Are online medical billing and coding programs accredited?

Not exactly.Accreditation is the typical means of vetting the quality of post-secondary schools and their programs. And, you will find the public community colleges offering online medical billing and coding programs in Hawai’i are institutionally accredited by theAccrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Instead of specific medical billing and coding program accreditations, though, what you will be looking for is a program that provides you with eligibility to take the exams of one or more industry-recognized professional certifications, like those available from theAAPC,AHIMA, andNational Healthcareer Association.

Can I manage an online medical billing and coding program with my busy schedule?

If you read the program spotlights above, then you know the answer to this question is an absolute yes. In fact, 100% online medical billing and coding programs in Hawai’i are both common and quite popular. The reason is simple: medical billing and coding training lends itself well to fully online study. And, as discussed earlier, medical billing and coding professionals often work online from home on a full-time or part-time basis. In addition, course content for many of these programs (including the Kapi’olani CC and AAPC programs spotlighted above) is delivered in an asynchronous format that allows students to access and complete their studies at any time that fits their own busy schedules.

How long is medical billing and coding training?

As with costs, lengths for online medical billing and coding programs in Hawai’i vary depending on the specific school andprogram type (certificate, diploma, degree, etc.). The program spotlights above will give you a good idea of the range of typical program lengths (from 16 weeks for the AAPC’s CPC prep course to 12 months for the Medical Billing and Coding course from Kaua’i CC). Keep in mind, however, that most Hawai’i online medical billing and coding programs feature self-paced coursework that provides students with a level of flexibility in completion times. Just be sure to contact a program representative for details on program length flexibility before you enroll.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education in Hawai’i

At present, the State of Hawai’i does not have any specific educational, certification, or licensure requirements to work as a medical billing and coding specialist, although it is strongly recommended you hold a high school diploma or GED before applying for jobs. That being said, most medical billing and coding positions will want you to have some form of formal training in the role, such as a certificate or diploma.

You may also want to take a certification exam, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam, to gain a qualification that will make you stand out. While you can study for and register for a certification exam at any point in your career, many schools and medical billing programs in Hawai’i offer test prep and an exam voucher as part of your tuition package.

What is the Compensation for Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Hawai’i?