Inside Top Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in New York

Inside NY’s Online Medical Billing and Coding Training

As a New Yorker, you have a few types of medical billing and coding degrees to choose from. If you want to start your medical billing and coding career ASAP, some online MBC programs can be completed in as little as four weeks. This is usually the case for certification programs, which can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 18 months. For more comprehensive or hands-on learning, you may want to consider a two-year associate’s degree, which often includes externships that provide on-the-job training.

Some online programs are asynchronous and can be completed on your schedule, while synchronous courses have scheduled lectures and/or hands-on training. Which degree program you choose will also depend on the type of medical billing and coding certification you want to obtain after graduating (more on that later).

To get an idea of what’s available, we’ve profiled three New York colleges offering online medical billing and coding programs. Among the details are cost, curriculum, and learning environment. Let’s dive in.

Everything You Need to Know: 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 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.

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.

What are the potential difficulties in studying medical billing and coding, and is it worth all of that?

Whether or not medical coding is “worth all of that” is a highly personal question. For many, it’s a rewarding field with many employment opportunities, including remote or hybrid roles. Medical coders also support patient health, and the profession has a relatively high work/life balance. Medical billing and coding are fast-moving, and professionals must keep up-to-date with new technologies like AI being integrated into billing and coding software. Medical coders also study anatomy and medical terminology for their roles, adding additional challenges. Employers do typically offer ongoing training to help with continuing education.

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?

The question may arise more as the media draws attention to businesses returning to office-based work, but it’s safe to say that the option to work from home is still there. It’s also an option that makes more sense with billing and coding, which can occur anywhere with secure computers and software. Plus, graduates are still interested in remote work, creating a demand that is still prevalent. There could be variances, though, as some companies request that employees first work on-site while getting used to systems before offering full- or part-time remote opportunities.

Respected Medical Billing and Coding Certifications 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