West Virginia Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools: Top Programs
One of the quickest paths to a career in West Virginia healthcare services is by becoming a medical billing and coding professional. Medical billers and coders earn solid wages and enjoy high job security and growth potential. Another major benefit is that medical billers and coders are often able to work from home. But before you can start your medical billing and coding career, you’ll need to get some formal training, which you can get from online medical billing and coding programs. Keep reading to discover West Virginia’s best online medical billing & coding programs, explore your career and salary potential, and get answers to your pressing questions.
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In-Depth Overview of Online Medical Billing/Coding Classes in West Virginia
Before you begin looking for jobs as a medical assistant, you’ll need to complete an accredited educational program. Medical assistant training can be completed in one year or less for a diploma program, while an associate degree will typically take two years of full-time study. In a medical assistant program, students will learn the foundations of anatomy and medical terminology, as well as the administrative and technical skills necessary to work in a medical office. In an online program, these skills will be taught through synchronous or asynchronous video courses, with independent study. Below are some high-quality online medical assistant programs in Louisiana to consider:
Medical Coding Associate Degree — West Virginia Junior College
West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) is a private postsecondary institution offering business and healthcare diploma and associate degree programs online and on campuses in Cross Lanes, Bridgeport, and Morgantown. Among those offerings is the online medical coding associate degree program. The program is designed to be completed in 18 months of full-time study, however part-time options are available. The curriculum includes coursework in medical coding, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and general education subjects such as communication and English composition. Of particular note are WVJC’s graduate support services which include refresher courses (for learning new technologies, procedures, and software) and continuing employment assistance.
According to the school’s catalog, the program would fall under “All Other Programs”, with the current per-semester cost for full-time students including both tuition and the education resource fee estimated at $4,490. This estimate makes this program the most expensive of the three online medical billing and coding in West Virginia that we’re spotlighting. The higher cost is due to the longer completion time and that this is a full associate degree program. That makes WVJC’s medical coding program a great choice for anyone intending to continue with their formal education in the future to earn a bachelor’s (or higher) degree.
Duration: 18 months
Mode: Fully Online
Cost: $4,490
Admissions Requirements
- Complete online application
- Meet with WVJC admissions team
- Be at least 18 years of age
Curriculum:
- Medical Coding – CPT and ICD-10-CM
- Intermediate CPT/ICD-10-CM/HCPCS
- Medical Insurance and Coding
- Health Information Management
- Electronic Health Records
- Advanced Coding/Classification
- Quality Management
- Billing
- Medical Terminology
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding — Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College
Study convenience and flexibility are key features of the medical billing and coding program offered by Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College, a public community college in Moorefield. Course content is delivered entirely online in an asynchronous format, allowing students to log on and complete their studies at any time and at their own pace. Students typically complete the entire program in six months. Graduates are eligible to sit for the exam for the certified billing and coding specialist from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as well as professional certifications from the AAPC and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Applicants with a high school diploma or GED are admitted into the program as regular students. Students currently pursuing their high school diploma or GED may be admitted as “early entrance” students on recommendation by their school.
Affordability is another important program feature. The school’s main website page indicates that the current total program cost is $2,014, which includes all course instruction as well as all e-books and textbooks. Financial aid resources are available to qualifying students to help pay for their medical billing and coding training. Contact the program for details.
Duration: 6 months
Mode: Fully Online
Cost: $2,014
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete online application
- High school diploma or GED
- Be at least 18 years of age
Curriculum:
- Intro to International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modifications & Coding Guidelines
- Introduction to the organization and use of ICD-10-CM, and CPT manuals
- Basics of diagnostic and procedural coding
- The Health Insurance Claim Form (CMS 1500)
- HIPAA and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
- Review and practice coding Evaluation and Management (E&M) services
- Review and practice coding from anesthesia, surgery, radiology, medicine, and the pathology/laboratory sections of the CPT
- CPT Modifiers, E and V Codes, and Late Effects
- Coding surgical procedure and medical procedures for the cardiovascular, integumentary, male/female reproductive systems, maternity care and delivery
- Coding for general surgery, radiology, pathology, diagnostic, therapeutic, and laboratory services and the Level II National Codes
- Tracing delinquent claims & insurance issues
- Third-party reimbursement issues
- Development of and Improvements to the ICD-10-CM Coding Manual
- Examination of the ICD-10-PCS system
Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program — Pierpont Community & Technical College
The medical billing and coding certificate program from Pierpont Community & Technical College differs from the other two medical billing and coding programs spotlighted here in that it awards college credits for its coursework. The curriculum consists of 33 credit hours in medical billing and coding practices along with courses in physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and more. The entire program is completed in one year (fall and spring semesters) of full-time study. All classes are scheduled in the evening and can be attended online via livestream or in person on Pierpont’s Fairmont campus. Upon completion of the first semester of the program, students achieve a medical administrative assistant advanced skill set. Students who successfully complete the entire certificate course will have completed the first full year of Pierpont’s two-year associate of applied science in health information technology program.
The current per-credit tuition rate for Pierpont’s online medical billing and coding program is $239 for West Virginia residents, $460 for metro rate students (residents of Greene and Fayette County, Pennsylvania; and Garrett County, Maryland), and $569 for all other out-of-state residents. Admission is unrestricted and noncompetitive and requires only a high school diploma or GED.
Duration: 1 year
Mode: Fully Online
Cost: $7,887 – $18,777
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete the online application
- Be at least 18 years of age
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Written English
- Medical Terminology
- Fundamentals of Health Information
- Introduction to Medical Administrative Assistant
- Reimbursement Systems
- Pharmacology
- Diagnoses Medical Coding
- Outpatient Procedural Medical Coding
- Medical Billing and Coding Practicum
Answering Essential Questions for West Virginia Students
To help you research which online medical billing and coding program in West Virginia is best for you, we have answered the most frequently asked questions from prospective students. Keep reading to get concise answers about accreditation, duration of programs, and average pay for medical billing and coding professionals in West Virginia.
How do I find an accredited online medical billing and coding program?
Accreditation is the process through which most postsecondary schools and their programs are vetted for academic quality. There are two basic types of postsecondary accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation concerns the academic quality of a college overall and is overseen by several regional and national accrediting agencies. You can find current institutional accreditation information by using this U.S. Department of Education search engine. Keep in mind, that you won’t find programmatic accreditation for online medical billing and coding programs in West Virginia. Instead, you’ll be looking for programs that qualify you to sit for the exams for one or more medical billing and coding professional certifications such as those offered by the AAPC, NHA, and AHIMA. Information on professional certification eligibility is typically found on medical billing and coding program web pages. If you’re not seeing it there, contact the program directly or check the certification websites linked above.
How long is a medical billing and coding program?
Completion times for West Virginia online medical billing and coding programs vary, sometimes substantially, primarily due to the program type. For example, the online medical billing and coding certification program at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is designed to be completed in five months, while the medical billing and coding CAS program at Pierpont Community & Technical College (spotlighted above) requires approximately one year to complete. And medical and coding associate degree programs typically require a two-year full-time commitment.
Is it worth studying medical billing and coding?
That will depend on your unique career goals, earnings expectations, and personal commitments. What we can tell you is that if you’re looking for a quick, convenient, and affordable way to an entry-level career in the healthcare services profession, one that offers solid pay and job security, then an online medical billing and coding program in West Virginia may be the right fit for you.
Are the online medical billing and coding programs in WV legitimate?
It depends. Online medical billing and coding programs are lucrative and therefore popular in West Virginia and throughout the country. To ensure that you are not being scammed, you will want to check that your program is accredited like the three programs spotlighted above. Most employers focus more on certification rather than what type of education you have. Therefore, you will also want to look for programs that prepare for one of the certification exams provided by the AAPC, NHA, and AHIMA. The AAPC certification is considered the gold standard certification for medical billing and coding and is most widely acknowledged by employers.
How much does medical coding and billing pay in WV?
In West Virginia, medical coding and billing professionals make an annual mean wage of $44,910. This is in comparison to the national average annual wage of $53,690. Regionally, Huntington, Morgantown, and the Weirton area offer the highest salaries for medical billers and coders. Morgantown in particular stands out with a median salary nearly $10,000 above the state average.
Professional Development and Certification in West Virginia
West Virginia doesn’t have any certification requirements for medical billing and coding professionals. However, many employers in the state require certification. There are three exams you can take: Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS). The type of exam you take depends on the program you choose. Some programs prepare you for a specific exam and even include an exam voucher for students. However, some programs offer no exam preparation, and you will have to register for an exam independently. If this is the case, the American Academy of Professional Coder (AAPC), which offers the CPC exam, holds three AAPC-approved classroom training programs in West Virginia to prepare you for the exam.
The AAPC also includes continuing education courses so that you can stay on top of the latest medical coding updates. From attending workshops and webinars to regional conferences, the AAPC provides you with the necessary ongoing education so that you can succeed in your career.
How Much Can You Expect to Make as a Medical Biller and Coder in West Virginia?
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,080 | $48,780 | $77,810 |
| West Virginia | $29,520 | $41,680 | $64,100 |
| Beckley, WV | $28,070 | $36,370 | $61,660 |
| Charleston, WV | $28,920 | $38,090 | $59,720 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $32,290 | $49,530 | $68,260 |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,910 | $40,300 | $62,710 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $21,880 | $33,890 | $47,360 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $33,590 | $47,130 | $60,770 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,100 | $38,490 | $55,970 |
Source: Medical Records Specialists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 194,300 | 210,900 | 16,600 | 8.50% | 15,000 |
| West Virginia | 1,190 | 1,270 | 80 | 6.70% | 90 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
