Earning an online associate degree in medical coding and billing

Interested in a health care career without hands-on patient care? An online associate degree in medical coding and billing can open a gateway to a meaningful career in medical and government venues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2008, the top five employers of medical records and health information technicians according to mean annual salaries were:

• U.S. federal government (executive branch) $45,120
• General medical and surgical hospitals $35,870
• Nursing care facilities $33,100
• Outpatient care facilities $30,650
• Physician's offices $28,460

Nationally, the mean annual wage for medical coding and billing specialists was $16.29, with a mean annual salary of $33,880.

Associate degree in medical coding and billing and certification requirements

The great thing about earning an associate degree in medical coding and billing is that the associate degree is typically required for entry level positions. Requirements for achieving certification through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is earning an associate degree in medical coding and billing or related field accredited by the Commission on Accreditation on Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIME).

Your online associate degree in medical coding and billing will require study in a variety of subjects; most colleges require subjects including the humanities, sciences and mathematics in addition to coursework major-related subjects such as:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Clinical classification and coding
• Data analysis
• Database management and security
• Health care reimbursement systems
• Health data requirements and standards
• Health information technology
• Medical terminology
• Quality improvement

An online associates degree in medical coding and billing provides the training you'll need, but offers the convenience and flexibility of studying where and when you can.

Medical coding and billing jobs and credentials

Coding and billing specialists use medical coding systems to identify and track health conditions, treatment protocols, and billing for medical treatment. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) provides credentialing for medical coding professionals. Specialized coding jobs require accreditation through the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BSMC) or the Professional Association of Health care Coding Specialists (PAHCS). Medical coding and billing specialists affiliated with the National Cancer Registry must be credentialed by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) for designation as a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR).

Medical coding and billing degree: Career opportunities

The BLS forecasts that candidates with strong experience and training in computer and software systems used in health care reporting, billing and coding have the strongest potential for employment. Factors including an aging population and increased use of health care records technology are driving the need for qualified medical coding and billing professionals. The BLS expects jobs for medical records and health information technicians to increase by about 20 percent between 2008 and 2028, which is must faster than average.

You can prepare for a career as a medical coding and billing technician in about two years of full time study. Federal financial aid is available to students meeting enrollment requirements in an accredited school and program. Check out online associate degree programs in medical coding and billing, and discuss financial aid options with your school's financial aid department.

• Online Associate Programs