Online Medical Coding Training Courses

Many organizations offer online programs to train for medical coding certification. Before choosing one, do some research. Make sure the program covers the necessary skills required to perform well at the profession, compare costs, and look for training features you consider important. Above all, compare certification pass rates. You’ll want to choose a program with a high pass rate to ensure you get the education you deserve.

Employers look for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential because it demonstrates mastery of the skills they need. Students who pursue a medical coding degree will eventually sit for the CPC exam to add the CPC credential to their name.

The number of graduates who successfully attain their CPC certification vary from program to program. Many variables factor into passing the CPC exam—amount of study time, availability of educational tools and resources, and quality of training.

At AAPC, the pass rate of our CPC students exceeds 80%, which is unmatched by other programs and underscores the need to carefully select a medical coding school that will deliver a first-rate education.

AAPC offers its members a variety of opportunities to gain pre-employment experience, all of which improve your resume and hiring potential. Practicode, for instance, is an online medical coding training tool that delivers concentrated experience equal to one year of on-the-job medical coding.

Online training programs allow students to achieve certification quicker than attending a college. You can be career-ready in only 4 to 12 months. Online certification training programs are also more affordable than a 2- or 4-year degree program. Learning medical coding online is an effective training option to prepare for the certification employers require.

In comparison to classroom training, an online medical coding education offers the greatest flexibility to study where and when you want. For people with jobs, families, or other responsibilities, online training is the best way to train and maintain work-life balance.  

When considering online vs. classroom training options, you may want to train in-class if you learn best in a classroom setting. Classroom training will ensure you’re well prepared to sit for your certification exam and achieve your goals. AAPC offers classes in convenient locations throughout the USA. Search for a medical coding class near you.

AAPC packages range from $1295 to $2195, giving students the best education at the best value compared to colleges that charge between $4,200 and $19,500 for medical coding training.

The average salary for medical coders in the U.S. in 2019 was $57,201 annually. Median compensation increases 9% each year. Medical coders who possess more than one AAPC certification earn significantly more, as do medical coding managers who oversee the work of CPCs.

The demand for medical coders is so high that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists medical coder among the 20 fastest-growing occupations and projects an 11% rise in jobs by 2028. An aging population drives the demand for medical billers and coders.

Job security is an important quality-of-life factor, which is one reason medical coding is a good career choice. Despite economic fluctuations that impact unemployment rates for most professions, the need for healthcare professionals, including medical coders, is at an historic high.

Not only has the U.S. Baby Boomer generation—20% of our population—reached its golden years, but the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 78 million people age 65 and over will increase 55% by 2030. Given the rise in chronic conditions prevalent among this population, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) anticipates a shortage of nearly 105,000 physicians by 2030. This deficit extends to medical coding specialists.

AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification is the best one to start with as a new medical coder. CPC training provides an education in physician-based, or professional fee, coding. This knowledge is foundational to all types of medical coding, such as outpatient coding, hospital coding, and risk adjustment coding.

Many medical coders enjoy lifelong careers with their CPC credential, while others choose to build on their education by training in a physician-based specialty or becoming certified for hospital coding.

Medical coders work in every type of healthcare facility, including physician practices, ambulatory surgical centers, long-term care facilities, hospitals, labs, and insurance companies. Only Certified Inpatient Coders (CICs), for instance, are equipped to work in the inpatient hospital setting, as this role requires knowledge of a unique code set (ICD-10-PCS) and Medicare-Severity Diagnotic-Related Groups (MS DRG).

CPCs are trained in professional fee coding, which encompasses all physician and clinician-based services. As such, CPCs are qualified to work in medical offices, walk-in clinics, telehealth groups, labs, and insurance companies.

Medical coding is primarily completed on a computer, and no direct contact with patients is required, which makes the potential option to work from home very appealing. Approximately 33% of AAPC-certified medical coders currently work from home.

AAPC offers free career counseling to help you make the best decisions for your situation and needs. Our career counselors are available at your convenience and eager to answer your questions, lay out your career training options, and support you on your journey in professional medical coding. Feel free to call 877-290-0440 to speak to a career counselor or have a career counselor call you.