Best Medical Coding Certificate Programs of 2023
Healthcare is one of the most complex industries in the modern economy. There are many moving parts involved, including doctors, patients, private insurers, and government agencies. When you earn a medical coding certificate, you will help this system work more efficiently and improve patient outcomes.
Why This Matters
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28% OF MEDICAL CODERS HAVE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
An analysis of the medical coding field by Zippia found the most common education level for medical coders is an associate degree, while 21% of medical coders have a bachelor’s degree and only five percent have a high school diploma.
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JOBS ARE EXPECTED TO GROW BY EIGHT PERCENT
Medical coding has become a particularly fast-growing field that’s expected to grow by eight percent through 2029.
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AVERAGE SALARY OF $44,090
The top 10% of medical coders earn more than $73,370. It should be noted you will likely earn more in a hospital with an average salary of $46,880 than a physician’s office at $39,190.
Our Research
This list reviews the best medical coding certificate programs in the U.S. A Certificate is not required by employers in the industry but helps you learn skills needed for the job and makes you a more attractive candidate for open medical coding positions.
We only selected programs accredited by institutions such as the Higher Learning Commission, the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This accreditation ensures that the program has high academic standards and also means you will be able to transfer your credits between schools.
- 10 hours to write this article
- 38 universities and colleges we assessed
- 65 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Best Medical Coding Certificate Programs
What You Should Know About This Degree
There are many occupations similar to a medical coder, such as patient account representative, medical transcriptionist, and medical office front desk receptionist. Before committing, make sure the program aligns with the career you wish to pursue.
With a medical coding certificate, you will be qualified for a variety of roles, including benefits coordinator, documentation specialist, and medical biller. These jobs are available in many settings, including city hospitals, rural clinics, physician offices, and insurance companies.
There are two main organizations that grant certifications for medical coding: the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). AAPC offers the CPC (Certified Professional Coder), COC (Certified Outpatient Coder), CIC (Certified Inpatient Coder), and CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder) certificates. AHIMA offers the CCA (Certified Coding Associate), CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), and CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist — Physician-based) certificates.
The programs covered in this guide will help you prepare for these exams and start your medical coding career.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching medical coding certificate programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Medical coding certificate programs tend to require minimal qualifications. You should be eligible as long as you graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA.
- What tests are required for this degree? There are a variety of certification tests available for medical coding. The most popular is the AHIMA’s CCA exam.
During your research, take note of application deadlines and what kind of materials you need to submit. You can find this information by visiting the school’s website or contacting their admission department.
You will need to account for financial aid deadlines as well. In addition to financial resources offered by the school, we recommend you look for funding from sources such as outside scholarships and tuition benefits from your employer.