Inside Top Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in New York

Inside New York Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs

In New York, aspiring medical billing and coding professionals have multiple program options depending on their career goals and timeline. Certification programs can be completed in as little as four weeks, while most programs take 6 to 18 months. For more comprehensive training, a two-year associate degree may be ideal, often including externships for hands-on experience.

Programs vary in format:

• Asynchronous: Complete coursework on your own schedule
• Synchronous: Attend scheduled lectures and/or hands-on training
• Program length: 6 – 18 months for certifications, 2 years for associate degrees
• Certification preparation: Choose a program based on the credential you aim to earn

Here are three New York colleges offering online medical billing and coding programs, with details on tuition, curriculum, and learning format to help you choose the best fit.

New York MBC Student FAQs

While the profiles above provide a starting point in your medical billing and coding journey, especially if you’re searching for an online program in New York, you most likely still have some questions. Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked ones about medical billing and coding schools in NY.

How important is it for the program I attend in New York to be accredited?

Accreditation is essential for your certificate to be recognized by employers and other academic institutions, so ensure the university and the program are accredited.

The two most common accrediting bodies for billing and coding programs are the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the Commission of Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

The National Healthcareer Association is another body that often works with colleges with medical information programs. The schools also need to be accredited, and those accreditations will be displayed on their websites. If you still have questions, contact your educational choice for more information.

I need help paying for my medical billing and coding education in New York.

Financial aid can offset the cost of your program and comes in many forms, including student loans, scholarships, and grants.

A great first place to look at is the financial aid department of the school or university you will attend. They can guide you through the steps to apply.

Additional sources, like Coding Clarified, can help you find and apply for state-specific scholarships. Lastly, there is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Also known as a FAFSA form, filling this out is a step that anyone seeking financial aid should undertake early in the process.

When I finish my medical billing and coding education, what are some of the roles that are open to me?

The medical field features many careers appropriate for medical and billing program graduates, often in specific health information and administrative departments.

• Reimbursement specialists focus on employee compensation and benefits and job analysis for employers.
• Billing analysts invoice patients and insurance companies, ensure codes are correct, and double-check all steps so the company gets the expected revenue.
• Coding auditors dive deep into medical procedure and treatment codes to ensure they are correctly used when communicating with insurance companies and patients.

There are also medical record coordinators who compile, coordinate, maintain, and process records for patients.

Can I work remotely as a medical billing and coding professional?

Yes. Many medical billers and coders in New York work from home. Everything depends on whether your employer embraces working from home or prefers their billers and coders to work in-person. Other factors to consider:

1. Some organizations share medical billers and coders. This means there’s no standard office to call home.
2. Geography can play a role. In more remote places in New York, visiting an office may be too much of a challenge, making working from home the norm.

Medical Billing and Coding Certification in NY

The medical billing and coding certifications that are recognized by New York health administrators include the following:

• Certified Professional Coder (CPC): Offered by the AAPC; costs $400.
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA): Offered by the AHIMA; costs $300.
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS): Offered by the NHA; costs $120.

Another two tests in New York are the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), both of which are from the AHIMA and cost $300.

Continuing education is also essential to being a medical and coding professional. The total credits and renewal cadences for each test vary, but the range is between 8 and 10 credits a year, with renewals occurring yearly or every two years.

Medical Billing and Coding Career Outlook in NY

Top Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs in New York