An online associate degree in medical billing and coding may provide students with the training and skills required to record and manage health information data. In this two-year program, students may learn how to review patient records for accuracy, organize medical data, and electronically record data for retrieving and reporting. Program coursework may include select general education requirements and major-specific classes including medical terminology, medical assisting, and diagnosis coding systems.

Upon graduation, students may either seek entry-level employment as a medical billing and coding specialist, or they may enroll in a four-year baccalaureate program. Associate-level graduates may find employment in elder care facilities, home health programs, out-patient clinics, hospitals, and physician offices.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Bachelor’s Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 21% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum for associate degree programs in medical billing and coding includes some basic general education requirements along with core courses. These classes may teach students how to organize and file medical data, interact and communicate with patients, and utilize healthcare computer applications. Core medical billing and coding courses may include the following:

• Healthcare Delivery Systems
• Medical Terminology
• Basic Diagnosis Coding Systems
• Reimbursement Methodologies
• Medical Assisting
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Business Communication

Career Options

Graduates of associate-level programs in medical billing and coding may find employment in hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, nursing care facilities, and home health programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in medical billing and coding are expected to increase by 21% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Medical Biller
• Medical Coder
• Billing Services Representatives
• Billing and Collection Representative
• Coding Auditor

Continuing Education

Students who successfully complete an associate-level degree program in medical billing and coding may wish to further their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a related field. A baccalaureate degree in medical billing and health information management may teach students how to manage health information systems and prepare them for leadership roles in the field of medical data management. Employers may prefer students to hold an associate degree at minimum to work in entry-level medical billing and coding positions.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook