When you earn your uUndergraduate Certificate in medical billing and coding, you can pursue an industry-recognized medical billing and coding certification, such as the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Exam with AHIMA or the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam with the AACP after graduation.

In addition to meeting admissions requirements, the only pre-requisite for enrollment in medical billing and coding schools is a high school diploma or equivalent. Please see the academic catalog for complete admissions requirements. You can also view our Medical Billing and Coding FAQs.

Medical billing and coding involves reviewing medical records and determining the diagnosis and procedures the patient received. It is an essential component of the healthcare system in that it allows medical providers to be reimbursed for the services delivered. Medical billing and coding are distinct yet related processes. Medical coding involves documenting and categorizing billable information from a patient’s medical record into standardized codes. Once that is done, medical billing professionals use those codes to submit insurance claims and invoice patients.

Medical billing and coding duties vary but include working with healthcare professionals to determine care services and managing the claim process. Essentially, medical billing and coding professionals manage the end-to-end billing cycle for healthcare services and act as liaisons between clinical providers and insurance companies. It is a role that many healthcare providers require.

There are two paths you can explore after receiving your Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding at DeVry – medical billing or medical coding.

A medical billing specialist would:

• Submit claims to insurance companies
• Ensure that the responsible party pays for claims
• Manage payments and invoices

A medical coding specialist would:

• Work with healthcare professionals to correctly identify the services and treatments a patient has received
• Ensure that medical records correctly reflect their patients' care
• Stay up-to-date with new coding regulations and standards

Medical billing and coding depend on one another, yet represent different points in the healthcare payment process. Medical coding generally comes first and involves working with healthcare providers and clinicians to identify and align on the healthcare services provided, then assign the appropriate codes to accurately represent those services. With that information, medical billing professionals can then use those CPT codes to develop billing statements to file insurance claims and ensure patients are appropriately invoiced.

Virtually every type of healthcare provider requires the services of medical billers and coders. However, the career opportunities go beyond just organizations that provide direct care. In addition to working in hospitals and doctor’s offices, those with medical billing and coding training can also explore careers with health insurance companies, law firms and governmental agencies.

A medical billing and coding certification signals to healthcare professionals that you have taken the time to study the complexity of billing and coding. It communicates that you’ve demonstrated proficient knowledge of the multitude of codes and billing processes that are required to process medical services for billing and reimbursement.
The two primary organizations that offer medical billing and coding certifications are the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Yes. You can learn medical billing and coding online.

At DeVry, our medical billing and coding programs are 100% online. Class sessions start every 8 weeks so you can begin your studies any time that's convenient for you. You can complete your online courses at your own pace, enrolling full-time or part-time. Our advisors will help you design a plan that works for your career goals and personal schedule.

A future in medical billing and coding can be more attainable than you might think. While medical billing and coding involves knowledge of numerous code sets and complex medical information, that doesn’t mean you have to memorize every code. At DeVry, our Medical Billing and Coding certificate programs are designed to help you gain hands-on experience with common billing and coding software using simulated patient records. You’ll gain the knowledge you need in common health-related subjects to prepare to pursue a career as a medical biller or coder.

Our online Medical Billing and Coding Certificate programs do not require any math courses. Some math concepts are present in certain courses, but there are no classes that are explicitly focused on mathematics in this program.

A career in medical billing and coding can help you stay on the cutting-edge of technologies within the healthcare industry. Positions for medical billers and coders may be available in a variety of healthcare settings, such as physicians' offices, hospitals, insurance companies, dental offices, emergency rooms, ambulatory centers, long-term care facilities and more.

With the proper professional training and certifications, you can prepare to take on many responsibilities when working with healthcare professionals. This can help you to improve patient care and facilitate best practice billing and coding procedures.