Online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding

Designed for Your Medical Billing and Coding Career

***The Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding program is currently not accepting applications. Please check back for further updates.***

Are you new to the fields of Medical Billing and Medical Coding?
Drexel University’s medical billing and coding online certificate is designed to not only provide the foundational knowledge you need but prepare you for the national certifications that stand out to employers. The distinguished faculty from Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions have carefully designed the medical billing and coding program curriculum to provide the skills and education you need to be successful in the rapidly evolving fields of medical billing and medical coding.

Already experienced in Medical Billing and Coding?
If you’re a current billing or coding professional working in a hospital, clinic, medical office, nursing home, or insurance organization looking for a medical billing and coding online training program that can take your career to new heights and won’t interfere with your current schedule, look no further. Designed with your career in mind, Drexel’s medical billing and coding online certificate is a fully-online, 30-quarter credit, 10-course program that has the flexibility to align the curriculum to the credentials you need to take your career to the next level.

Medical Coding & Billing Facts: Did You Know?

In 2007, 90% of physicians in the United States manually updated patient records and stored them in color-coded paper files. By 2018, those same 90% completed the transition from paper medical records to electronic health records (EHRs). This trend will drastically improve the way patient medical records are accessed and shared, creating a more efficient, cost effective, and safe environment.

Why Choose Drexel's Online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding Program?

• Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions’ medical coding training program is one of the most in-depth of its kind in the country.
• The program’s comprehensive curriculum covers learning principles related to the four main coding manuals - CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS.
• You will acquire a solid foundational understanding of medical billing, anatomy, software and terminology, as well as physician and hospital-based medical coding.
• Upon completing the program, you will be qualified to sit for the associated national certification exams, including the:
  • American Health Information Management Association - Certified Coding Associate (CCA®), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®), or Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (CCS-P®) Board Exam - The CCS & CCS-P credentials
  • American Medical Billing Association - Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CRMS) Board Exam
  • AAPC - Certified Professional Coder (CPC®), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC™) [formerly CPC-H®], Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™), or Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA®) Board Exam
• These 30 quarter credits may be applied as free electives toward our fully online BS in Health Services Administration program.
• Drexel’s Medical Coding and Billing program is now eligible for financial aid.

5 Reasons You Should Earn a Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding

The job growth rate for medical records and health information specialists is 15% over the next few years. Kristine Mulhorn, PhD, MHSA, FGSA, chair of the Health Administration Department and Teaching Professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, discusses how a Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding prepares you for this growing field.

What is medical billing and coding?

According to the AHIMA, "Health Information Professionals work on the classification of diseases and treatments to ensure they are standardized for clinical, financial, and legal uses in healthcare. [Their work is integral to supporting] patients by caring for their medical data and are responsible for the quality, integrity, security, and protection of patients’ health information." When a patient receives medical treatment, there are fees associated with each service that is provided. Medical coders are the professionals tasked with providing the insurance company with the proper treatment and diagnosis codes so that the correct reimbursements are assigned. Medical billers then join the process and are responsible for the submission of the insurance claims and ultimately accountable for ensuring that payment is received.

What does a medical biller and coder do?

Medical billing and medical coding specialists play a crucial role in the business side of the healthcare industry. In addition to properly coding and processing healthcare claims to ensure insurance companies and providers are correctly reimbursed, you will be responsible for creating accurate patient records to avoid billing errors and provide a record of treatment for future evaluation. The switch to ICD-10 coding is making a complex industry even more intricate. Drexel’s online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding provides a comprehensive curriculum that introduces you to the learning principles you need to successfully prepare for your future career. This includes the four main coding manuals - CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS.

What are the national medical billing and coding certification license exams?

Upon completion of Drexel’s online medical billing and coding program, you will have earned the educational requirements needed to sit for the renowned national certification exams listed above. Offered by leading professional associations, such as the American Health Information Management Association, American Medical Billing Association, and AAPC, these certification exams will give you the opportunity to earn the industry credentials you need to gain competitive career advantage and stand out to your current and future employers.

How long do you have to go to school to become a medical coder or medical biller?

While it depends on the number of courses you take per quarter, most students complete this program within 18 months. However, you'll be prepared to sit for the associated certification exams after successful completion of Part II of any of the billing and coding courses. As a result, you can achieve national certification even before completing the program.

What classes are required for medical billing and coding?

Drexel's online medical billing and coding courses focus on the four most commonly used coding manuals—CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS—providing all the relevant, up-to-date information you need to take the national certification exams with confidence. This includes beginning the program with a course on anatomy and another in medical terminology to ensure you have the proper introduction to the medical billing and coding field prior to starting your coding courses. The skills you’ll learn throughout the program are fully applicable to a wide array of medical billing and coding positions, meet all industry requirements, and can be leveraged wherever you go, serving as a valuable foundation for future endeavors.

What is ICD-10?

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the recognized standard international diagnostic classification system for documenting and monitoring illnesses. It allows health organizations around the world to compare, monitor, and share data in a consistent and standardized Endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1990 and adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) members in 1994, the current, endorsed version is the tenth edition of ICD.  ICD-10 contains more than 70,000 different codes for diseases, symptoms, and diagnoses, which is significantly up from the 14,000+ codes that were contained in its predecessor, ICD-9. The adoption of ICD-10 in the United States took place on October 1, 2015. Recently, development has begun on the next edition, ICD-11, which is expected to be implemented in 2022.

What jobs can I get with a medical billing and coding certificate?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 13% increase in medical records and health information technician jobs by 2026. That results in more than 27,800 new jobs between 2016 and 2026.

Those who have completed the Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding program can look forward to career opportunities in:

• Medical Billing
• Medical Coding
• Medical Auditing
• Medical Records
• Medical Transcription
• Practice Management and Education
• And many more...

Organizations such as inpatient and outpatient hospitals, private medical practices, nursing care facilities, administrative and support services, and professional, scientific and technical services all require medical billing and coding professionals in order to be successful.

How much does a medical biller and coder make in a year?

According to the BLS, professionals in the medical billing and coding fields can potentially earn a median annual salary of $42,630 per year or $20,50 per hour for medical records and health information technicians and $33,380 per year or $16.05 per hour for medical transcriptionists. These salary ranges do vary by employer type:

Source: bls.gov

Can you work from home as a medical biller and coder?

Work from home career opportunities do exist for medical billing and coding professionals. However, these types of positions are harder to earn and are most often awarded to professionals with extensive professional experience.

Related Program

• Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding for Health Professionals

Questions? We're Here to Help!

Gina Yacovelli, DHSc, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPMA, CEMC, CPB
Director, Medical Billing and Coding Program
gy75@drexel.edu
 

This program is only available on a part-time basis.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.