The top online medical billing and coding associates degree programs offer students a flexible way to train for a new career.
An online Medical Billing and Coding Associate Degree program prepares students for entry-level positions. Roles are in government-run organizations, hospitals, community clinics, and also nursing home facilities. The healthcare industry continues to expand. So, the need for more professionals in the field is in high demand.
Areas that need the most are health information technicians or those in similar career paths. Detail-oriented individuals attain strong interpersonal skills and have a foundation of technical abilities. Therefore, an online associate of applied sciences in the medical billing and coding program is your right choice. Here are the top 10 online medical billing and coding associate degree programs.
How We Ranked the Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Associate Degree Programs
The editors at Online Schools Guide found schools offering online associate degrees in Medical Billing and Coding. Then, based on cost and reputation, we ranked the programs.
1. The University of Arkansas Grantham
| Program: AAS in Medical Coding and Billing |
The University of Arkansas Grantham offers an Associates degree in Applied Science in Medical Coding and Billing that prepares students for career fields in Healthcare or other health-related positions. The AAS degree is a sixty-credit hour program that most students complete in twenty-four months. Therefore, graduates of the AAS in the medical coding and billing program have a better chance of finding employment in the healthcare industry than those without the AAS degree. Courses begin each month, creating convenient and flexible class schedules.
The AAS-MCB degree provides a well-rounded, twenty-seven core curriculum, including courses in computer software applications in healthcare, healthcare delivery systems, introduction to health information management, medical terminology, and reimbursement methodologies. In addition, graduates of the program will work along with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) portal for classroom participation and prepare for the Billing and Coding Specialist Certification(BCSC) exam required after the last course.
2. Dakota State University
| Program: AAS in Health Information Technology |
The online AAS in Health Information Technology Program at Dakota State University offers a sixty-four credit hour program to be finished within two years. Approximately ninety-four students take the program part-time, and 100% of graduates find employment opportunities in the healthcare industry within one year of graduating. The requirement to enter into the AS degree in HIM is straightforward; students must maintain a “C” or higher in each course to continue through graduation.
Courses in the HIM program at Dakota State are sequenced, so they build upon the prerequisite course. Once students graduate from the HIM program at DSU, they are now eligible to take the national exam. The exam is by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The AS-HIM program is an excellent kick-off for students who choose to pursue a BS degree in Health Information Administration.
3. Ozarks Technical Community College
| Program: AAS in Health Information Technology |
The Associates in Applied Sciences (AAS) in Health Information Technology (HIT) at the Ozarks Technical Community College offers a comprehensive curriculum to students who desire a headstart in IT development in the healthcare industry. The program total is only sixty-six credits and can be completed in less than two years. The AAS in HIT is associated with an online associate degree in medical billing and coding and includes similar courses and requirements.
Health Information Technology programs provide the leadership skills needed for employment areas such as data quality management, medical records specialist, health information clerks, and compliance payment and policy technician. The Commission accredits the AAS-HIT program on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates of the associate’s degree program must take the AHIMA certification exam.
4. Washburn University
| Program: AAS in Health Information Technology |
Washburn University’s Associates in Applied Sciences in Health Information Technology offers an online, seventy-three credit hour program designed for students working toward a career in public health, health care, or other areas of health-related fields. Students will receive a certificate of achievement in Health Information Coding and their AAS-HIT program degree. Students must access the Internet and have basic computer skills to enter into the program.
The associate degree in medical billing and the online coding program will provide various career opportunities to graduates, such as ambulatory health care facilities, medical clinics, state or federal health agencies, healthcare nursing facilities, and managed care organizations. Hospitals also are known to hire those with a degree in health information technology. In addition, Washburn University’s graduation satisfaction rate is 100% for program graduates.
5. Moraine Park Technical College
| Program: AAS in Health Information Technology |
Moraine Park Technical College offers an online Associates of Applied Sciences in Health Information Technology program to inspire students wanting a career in the healthcare industry. Students will learn skills in communication, organization, and computer technology. In addition, the program will cover the importance of collecting, analyzing, recording, and reporting healthcare data to best assist patients with the highest quality of care. The program curriculum of the AAS in health information technology will include courses in Medical Terminology, Digital Literacy for Healthcare, Foundations of HIM, Health Quality Management, Introductory Statistics, and Intermediate Coding.
There are sixty-three credits in the program, and the Commission accredits it with Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Some clinical courses are required. Students will take the RHIT exam once they graduate. The college’s faculty members are working professionals with expert knowledge and are already in the healthcare industry. One hundred percent of Moraine Park 2019 graduates earned a ninety-two or higher.
6. Central Texas College
| Program: AAS in Medical Coding and Billing |
Central Texas College offers an AAS in Medical Coding and Billing program for students looking for an online certificate degree that focuses on specific health care field interests. Most students who choose this degree program use it to promote better employment options and build a strong career in the healthcare field. Courses available in the AAS-MCB program are Medical Terminology, Health Data Content & Structure, Coding and Classification Systems, Medical Insurance, Intermediate Medical Coding, and Anatomy & Physiology for Medical Assistant.
Approximately fifty percent of the course program is technical courses related to healthcare, including fifteen general education credits. The program total for the MCB curriculum is sixty credits. Students can complete the program entirely online or in the traditional format. CTC programs have accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission; the college has served Central Texas over the past fifty years.
7. Weber State University
| Program: AAS in Health Information Technology |
Weber State University’s online Associates of Applied Sciences in Health Information Technology program has accreditation from the CAHIIM and provides fifty-seven credit hours of IT and health-related coursework. The program will provide the skills necessary to understand healthcare management systems, medical terminology, and the technical functions of coding operations and diseases.
Students will also learn the foundational background of computer applications and software. The Health Information Technology program is available online and offers flexible class scheduling. All program graduates are qualified to take the registered health information technician exam (RHIT). In addition, Weber State University requires that students taking PPE courses complete a background check, drug screen, and immunization records. As part of the Dumke College of Health Professions, Weber’s online associate degree in medical billing and coding program offer affordable tuition rates, comprehensive education models, and skillful and compassionate instructors.
8. Arapahoe Community College
| Program: AAS in Health Information Technology |
Arapahoe Community College offers an online Associates in Applied Sciences in Health Information Technology program. The AAS program is only sixty-four credits to completion, and courses will provide students with developing the technical skills necessary for managing health information within the healthcare delivery system. Courses include fifteen credits of general education and forty-nine credits of core courses. In addition, the curriculum covers courses in medical terminology, ICD coding, health data management, and principles of healthcare reimbursement.
The program requires all students to contact HITProgram@arapahoe.edu for counseling and program planning before enrolling in each class while in the HIT program. The AAS in HIT requires a criminal background check before the first practicum. To graduate from the online Associates of Applied Sciences in Health Information Technology program, students must maintain a “C” or higher. ACC offers various programs for students to become successful, whether choosing a certificate, an associate degree, or building a career path toward a four-year program.
9. University of New Mexico Gallup
University of New Mexico’s online Associate degree in Health Information Technology is a seventy-one-credit program designed for health professionals to expand their knowledge of the healthcare industry and medical terminology. The UNM Health Information Technology Associates program is a two-year degree accredited by CAHIIM. The program is available to students during the summer and fall semesters. However, admission into the program is on a first-come, first-serve basis for new enrollees with a strong GPA.
Most courses are online, making it convenient for students while providing a flexible workload. Studies in the AAS in Health Information Technology program will include nineteen credits of general education, six credits of health sciences, three credits of business technology, and up to thirty-eight credits of the significant course; health information technology. Students in the program must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA to complete the program and pass the HCHT 233 professional practicum, which is the only class conducted on-site.
10. Fresno City College
| Program: AS in Health Information Technology |
The AS in Health Information Technology program at Fresno City College prepares students working toward a career in the healthcare management industry. The HIT program will provide each student with knowledge in revenue management, similar to coding, auditing, general health management, and clinical documentation. In addition, students in the career path of health information technology will find positions in data collection, quality improvement, health informatics, or medical recording.
The CAHIIM also accredits the HIT program at FCC, and qualified graduates take the RHIT exam, sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). In addition, all students entering into the AS-HIT program are required to take a complete background check and drug screen before enrollment into the AS-HIT program at FCC. A GPA of 2.0 or higher is also required for each course in the program. The program has a total of sixty semester hours.
Careers with an Online AAS in Health Information Technology program
The healthcare industry is one career path that many individuals will find very satisfying and highly demanding employment. However, there are several areas of interest to explore, which do not necessarily be in Nursing. For those who want to work in health care yet avoid the long clinical hours of nursing, an Online Medical Billing and Coding Associate’s Degree is the right career choice for you.
Is a Degree in Medical Billing and Coding Worth It?
Yes. The opportunities for MBC graduates are numerous. Additionally, many find employment in areas such as hospitals, medical insurance agencies, and also government-run health facilities.
Available careers include client documentation specialists, hospital assistants, and health insurance specialists. There are other roles for individuals with an AAS in Health Information Technician or with any AAS in MBC degree. Some of these include medical record analysts or imaging technicians.
What is the Salary for a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist?
The salary for a graduate with an Associate of Applied Sciences in Medical Billing and Coding is approximately $52,000 annually. Furthermore, the range of salaries reported by the BLS is $29,130 to $105,690.
Also, salaries vary from one geographic area to another. For example, larger communities or populated areas may have higher wages than rural or less dense cities or towns.
Paying for an Online Associate Degree in Medical Billing and Coding Program
Going to college for the first can be a fantastic experience for many. You are finally on your own and learning to take on whatever comes your way. However, choosing the right career path is just the start. The next step is finding the best way to pay for education. Initially, tuition costs may seem intimidating at first, yet there is a range of options for students when paying for college.
Finding the Best Price
Here are some quick ways to get the best price for your online associate degree in Medical Billing and coding.
- Health-related Scholarships- though not always offered to two-year programs such as the AS in HIT or MBC programs, may provide some financial assistance to students with a mindset on healthcare career goals.
- Financial aid for veterans or active duty military- many schools will offer a discount on tuition for those serving our country.
- Scholarships for specialized demographics like single parents or low-income families and specific race/ethnicity.
- FAFSA – Open to most students wanting financial aid for college or graduate school.
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