Washington DC's Best Medical Billing and Coding Programs: Explore Your Options
Medical billing and coding certification is perfect for anyone wanting to start a new career with work-from-home flexibility. Explore your potential with online medical billing and coding programs in Washington, DC, to begin your future.
A profession in the medical field is a surefire bet for students looking for stable, meaningful careers; as a society, we are focused on our health and wellness. If you’re also interested in a healthcare career known for flexibility — including the ability to work from home — then medical billing and coding may be in line with your career goals and dreams.
Specializing in this field introduces you to a range of career options, from medical records coordinators to billing managers and beyond. Let’s assume you’re in Washington, DC, and you’re looking for an online program that’ll prepare you for this rewarding specialty. You’re in luck. The following guide walks you through the process, introducing you to key program considerations, spotlighting a best-in-class program, and answering your most pressing questions. Keep reading to learn key insights about your future online medical billing and coding program in Washington, DC. And prepare yourself for a rewarding career that will help you translate your interest in healthcare and customer service into a flexible and successful future.
Considerations for Popular Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Washington, DC
First things first: How do you choose the right program for you? As you begin to research potential online medical billing and coding programs in Washington, DC, you’ll need to create a list of considerations to fairly compare programs. We’re making it easy by highlighting the important factors to launch your research below.
Accreditation
To ensure your online medical billing and coding program in Washington, DC, offers a level of academic rigor that’ll prepare you for a rewarding career, you’ll want to first research accreditation and licensing. Most accredited online schools proudly display their credentials, affirming that their institution has been reviewed by an objective third party and granted a stamp of approval. However, because medical billing and coding programs don’t typically culminate in a degree, they’re not necessarily accredited — unless they’re offered through a college or university. The more important type of credential you’ll want to research for medical billing and coding programs, therefore, is state licensure.
Costs & Financial Aid
You’ll find a range of costs and financial aid options available specifically for online medical billing and coding programs in Washington, DC. Keep in mind that programs that are more expensive don’t always offer a higher level of education. If your program is preparing you to take a certification exam, that’s generally a good quality barometer that indicates the program is worth the investment.
Flexibility & Format
Because of healthcare advancements including electronic medical records and an increase in home-based employees, many schools offer flexible medical billing and coding programs that can be completed partially or totally online. Hybrid programs are increasingly popular, offering lab-based exercises in addition to online curriculum that you complete at your convenience. Even the admissions process is flexible for many online medical billing and coding programs in Washington, DC, as you’ll find very few prerequisites. Most 100% online options allow you to start at any time, further enhancing the program’s flexibility to fit your busy schedule.
Preparation
An important standard to consider as you research potential online medical billing and coding programs in Washington, DC, is how well they prepare you for certification and your future career. Of course, you can find medical billing and coding resources on your own — but your program should also connect you with opportunities, prepare you for certification testing, and inform you about professional associations you may want to consider joining to further your career.
Featured Program: University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
Keeping the standards noted above in mind, one standout online medical billing and coding program in Washington, DC, is the University of the District of Columbia’s online medical billing and coding training. The curriculum prepares you for certification, providing hands-on practice using medical billing and coding software. You’ll receive a voucher for the certification exam of your choice upon completion of your training.
One unique aspect of this program is that you can choose a medical biller standalone option if you’re not interested in medical coding. The program is completed 100% online, you can start any time, and there are no prerequisites.
UDC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the medical billing and coding training program is affiliated with AAPC (the nation’s largest credentialing body for medical billing and coding specialists) and the National Healthcareer Association.
Medical Billing and Coding Salary & Career Overview for Washington, DC
Below, you’ll find data that tells the story of your future earnings potential and job growth as a medical biller or coder. One note: The projections listed are for “medical records specialists,” the closest match to billers and coders available through the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Projections Central.
The first chart shows mean annual wages, as well as mean salaries for positions that are more entry level and more advanced. The mean annual salary in Washington, DC, is well above the national mean annual salary of $48,780, revealing that the region offers competitive compensation.
In terms of job growth, DC is slightly below the national average for this role; however, keep in mind that the average growth rate for all occupations is 4%, meaning both Washington, DC, and the nation are seeing more growth for this career than for other careers.
Because medical billing and coding services are often performed remotely, you’ll want to research medical billing and coding salaries by state to project your future earning potential specific to where you’ll be providing services.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $35,080 | $48,780 | $77,810 |
| Washington, DC | $47,570 | $61,320 | $108,310 |
Source: O*Net OnLine
| Area | Current Jobs | Projected Jobs | New Jobs | Job Growth | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 194,300 | 210,900 | 16,600 | 8.5% | 15,000 |
| Washington, DC | 290 | 310 | 20 | 6.9% | 20 |
Source: Projections Central, 2022-2032
Careers for the Medical Billing and Coding-Certified
Billing Analyst
If you become a billing analyst, you’ll be in charge of assessing medical records and helping to determine the costs of procedures. Typically, you’ll work for an insurance company and be responsible for preparing insurance claims and other bills using standardized medical coding systems, which give each diagnosis and procedure a unique code. Or you may work for a medical practice, determining pricing for medical care. Additionally, billing analysts are also employed by large legal firms to analyze medical bills and help determine the fair and reasonable cost of medical care.
Coding Auditor
Because of the ever-increasing number of medical procedures taking place daily in the U.S., the role of a coding auditor is becoming more important. Auditors are often the next level of quality assurance after medical billers or coders perform their work, ensuring accuracy of codes and the associated costs of the medical procedures performed. The coding auditor provides a check and balance, lending a new perspective to medical records and often serving as a resource if a patient or insurance company questions or appeals a code or cost.
Medical Records Coordinator
A medical records coordinator is often the first role undertaken by a recent graduate of a medical billing and coding program — sometimes even as they await their official certification. This primarily entry-level position involves lots of computer and data entry work, meaning you’ll be expected to be detail oriented and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment — specifically in physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, hospitals, or other busy healthcare settings. You’ll also be expected to have advanced communications and customer service skills, as you’ll often be in public-facing positions to help with other medical practice needs.
Reimbursement Specialist
For graduates of medical billing and coding programs who have certification and a few years of experience under their belts, a reimbursement specialist position may be an attractive option. Employees in this important healthcare role are responsible for all billing and collection activities; they can be employed by insurance companies or medical providers and need in-depth knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid. To perform this function, you’ll need to keep up to date on all applicable coding changes, fees, and billing rates. Many employers expect reimbursement specialists to have at least five years of experience and in-depth knowledge of coding and insurance.
Your Questions, Answered
Is it worth studying medical coding and billing?
Graduates of the best online medical billing and coding programs in Washington, DC, enter the medical field ready to work in flexible roles that typically earn them a solid salary. If you’re interested in a healthcare career but don’t want to spend a lot of time earning a degree, this is an attractive option. In fact, you’ll even find some accelerated, four-week online medical billing and coding programs, meaning you can earn your credentials (and begin work) faster. As Americans continue to age and focus on healthcare, a medical billing and coding training program prepares students for a meaningful and growing career.
How can I get certified in medical billing and coding?
A quality online medical billing and coding program in Washington, DC, includes preparation for certification. Potential employers may require certification, even if it’s not required by the state where you plan to work. Here are the three main certifications you’ll find in the field:
- The certified professional coder exam is offered by AAPC. It’s the gold standard for entry-level coding certification.
- The certified coding associate is offered by the American Health Information Management Association. It’s an entry-level medical coding certification across all healthcare settings.
- The certified billing and coding specialist is offered by the National Healthcareer Association and is currently an entry-level medical billing certification for physicians’ practices.
What does a medical billing and coding specialist do?
The role of a medical biller and medical coder are somewhat different, though there are overlaps between these roles. While coders typically work with patient information to ensure claims are accurate and the billed costs are appropriate, billers more often contact patients to collect payments or discuss billing questions. So those in a billing role will have more contact with patients, often attempting to help solve a problem or listening to a patient concern about a billing issue. The role you’ll fill after your medical billing and coding training will depend on your area of specialization and interest.
Can you do medical billing and coding from home?
Yes, both medical billers and medical coders often work from home. These roles are perfectly suited for remote employment, because connection to a computer system and/or telephone equipment are the primary methods of communication with supervisors and patients. This means that you can even perform your work for several healthcare providers in different states if you’re interested in diversifying the scope of your employment.
