Online Billing and Coding Courses and Classes Overview

Online billing and coding courses help students meet the demand for medical billers and coders, also called health information technicians, driven by increasing medical tests, treatments and procedures. Courses teach students about basic medical terminology, billing and coding procedures and Medicare billing.

Online Billing and Coding Courses and Classes

Billing and coding online courses and classes provide students with the skill and knowledge for entry-level clerical positions in medical facilities, as well as allowing them to update their billing and coding skills or seek certificates or degrees such as Associate of Science (AS) in Medical Billing and Coding, Associate of Arts in Business Administration (AA) with a concentration in medical billing and coding and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Care Management.
Students who have completed online billing and coding courses can earn recognition as a certified professional coder by passing the National Certified Professional Coding certification test. Career options for graduates include positions as billing and coding specialists, data quality managers, consultants or coding supervisors in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies and healthcare facilities.

Online Requirements

Since the billing and coding courses are offered online, a personal computer with Internet access and the equipment to accommodate interactive learning formats is required. Students also need a compatible browser and an e-mail address for assignments and correspondence with instructors. Purchase of the required textbooks and coding and billing software is the responsibility of the students. Many of the medical courses are not compatible with a Mac OS.
Students may be required to log onto the school site at specific times for Web conferencing, student interaction, lectures or assignment deadlines.

Online Billing and Coding Courses

Basic Medical Terminology Course

This course teaches the medical terminology used for medical billing and coding with an emphasis on correct pronunciation. Students learn the terms for the entire body system. A certificate of completion is awarded to students upon completion of this course.

Medical Billing Fundamentals Course

Students develop the basic accounting skills, filing, and front office management for working in a medical office. Focus is also on patient billing and record keeping using Medisoft. Electronic coding is also introduced in this course.

Introduction to Coding and Billing Course

Students are introduced to the billing and coding process used in medical insurance, with focus on the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) process and CPT errata. Students learn the different methods of reimbursement and coding systems used in the healthcare industry.

Medical Coding Course

This course introduces CPT Coding, ICD-9-CM Coding. Students learn to code by converting a medical procedure into a corresponding code or symbol. Medicare fraud and abuse is also addressed.

Pharmacology

Students become familiar with principles of pharmacology, including prescription abbreviations, medication schedules, drug classifications, dosage conversion and use of the metric system. Students study the drugs most commonly used in a medical office and become familiar with the Physician's Desk Reference.