Medical coding is a large part of the management of medical records and belongs to the health information technology group of careers along with medical transcription and billing. Many employers require certification for employment. Discussed here are education options that provide the best online and offline options to help in obtaining certification as well as gaining entry-level jobs in the coding field.
Degree Programs
Associate's or bachelor's degrees in health information technology (HIT) include medical coding in their curriculum along with medical transcription and billing courses. This degree is chosen for its broad scope which can lead to job opportunities in one of many fields including coding.
Health information management (HIM) degrees include many of the same courses as HIT degrees with an emphasis on managing electronic medical record offices and staff. Graduates with any of these degrees are highly sought after by prospective employers. The best options for earning HI degrees include:
- Traditional campus classes through community colleges and universities.
- Online degrees through reputable accredited schools.
Certificate Programs
Many students prefer to enter the coding field as soon as possible, and there are employers that may only require minimal education and certification for entry-level jobs. These students opt to acquire a certificate in medical coding to reach this goal. Cost of education is another concern and certificate programs are considerably less expensive than degrees. Education options for certificates are the same as for degrees.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) both provide online medical coding classes which lead to a certificate. They are self-paced programs and can be completed in under a year, though students have the option to take longer. The AHIMA website also has a listing of other schools that offer certificates and degrees either in a classroom setting or online.
The two well-known online medical transcription schools have branched out to teach medical coding are Career Step and Andrews. There are other reputable online schools, but some are less well known and it's best to research these before making a decision. As mentioned, the AHIMA website is a good place to begin the search for a medical coding education.
Preparation for Certification
Certification is an important step in obtaining a coding job. A degree or certificate from one of the types of programs mentioned is not the same as certification; however, medical coding education will prepare students to sit for the certification exams of their choice.
AHIMA and AAPC are the two most trusted certification organizations. To learn more about the various certifications available, visit Top Medical coding Organizations: The Best Groups to Find Career and Certification Info.
Source:
Medical Coding Programs, HIPAA & Medical Billing Training at AHIMA. AHIMA Home, 2010.
Patricia Deneen - Patricia Deneen works at home doing medical transcription and web content writing. She was a professional massage therapist for 10 years ...
