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Free Online Medical Billing And Coding Courses: 4 Options To Consider

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You can find medical billing and coding jobs in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities across the country. Medical billers and coders ensure insurance companies have the information they need to pay doctors and medical facilities for the procedures and services they provide.

Are you considering a job in medical billing and coding, but you're unsure if it's right for you? You can get a feel for the field by taking a free medical billing and coding course. Online medical billing and coding courses can give you an overview of the field and its responsibilities to help you decide whether you want to become a medical coder.

This article highlights six free online medical billing and coding courses that can be a starting point for your career path. Some of the courses listed in our guide are more extensive than others, but most cover many of the basic concepts you'll need to know to work in the field. If you are unsure about launching a medical billing and coding career, one of these free courses can help you decide.

What Is an Online Medical Billing and Coding Program?

Comprehensive online medical billing and coding programs offer training for careers in medical billing and coding, often preparing learners for field-specific certifications.

Course materials typically include video lectures and other online training materials. Some classes run synchronously, using web conferencing to replicate the classroom experience, while others are asynchronous, allowing students to peruse materials and complete assignments at their own pace.

4 Free Medical Billing and Coding Courses Available Online

Completing a comprehensive medical billing and coding program can qualify you for a medical billing and coding career. Many comprehensive options require payment, but tuition varies by program.

In contrast, if you want to explore the basic tenets of this career path without paying the full cost of a medical billing and coding program, consider a free online course. Note, however, that these no-cost classes do not replace paid certification programs, which provide more extensive training and prepare you for professional certification exams.

Below, we explore several options for free medical billing and coding courses.

1. What is Medical Coding and Billing?

Cost: FreeTime to completion: One hourOverview of course: This course from Udemy and PPMC Academy introduces the basics of medical billing and coding, exploring topics such as diagnostic coding, procedural coding, and medical coder and biller tasks. It also covers other job duties such as processing claims and tracking and collecting payments. The free class also explains the required education and experience for medical biller and coder careers.

2. Introduction to Medical Coding Course (i2MC)

Cost: FreeTime to completion: Eight weeksOverview of course: Absolute Medical Coding Institute (AMCI) offers a free, eight-week introductory course about medical coding. The class covers coding for diagnoses and procedures, including the major coding sets for outpatient, professional and facility coding.

After completing the i2MC course, you receive a 20% tuition discount for AMCI's full medical coding class, which helps prepare you for two field-specific certification exams.

3. Basics of Medical Billing and Coding

Cost: FreeTime to completion: Four to five hoursOverview of course: This free course from Advance Learning and Alison explores classification and coding systems, electronic health records, coding techniques and practice management software.

Program training covers medical jargon and terminology, medical billing and coding procedures, legal compliance and auditing and how to work with medical insurance. The class also teaches you to identify the appropriate codes for various diagnoses, treatments and procedures.

4. Diploma in Medical Coding and Billing

Cost: FreeTime to completion: 15 to 20 hoursOverview of course: This course from Advance Learning and Alison offers an overview of many aspects of medical coding and billing. Class materials explore compliance and ethics issues, field-specific terminology and different coding systems. The course also examines health insurance companies, billing fraud, reimbursement methods and proper coding practices.

Though you receive a diploma upon completing this course, this credential does not equate to a professional certification in billing or coding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Free Online Medical Billing and Coding Courses How can I learn medical billing and coding for free?

Multiple organizations offer free medical billing and coding training courses online, including Udemy and PPMC Academy, Alison and Advance Learning, and Absolute Medical Coding Institute. If you want to start a career in this field, you usually need professional certification, which free courses do not prepare you for. But you can still find low-cost medical billing and coding certification courses online.

Can you learn medical billing and coding on your own?

Yes, it is possible to study medical billing and coding on your own through resources like free courses, books and videos. If you want to pursue this career path, consider taking a paid course to help prepare for professional certification, which can qualify you for more jobs.

What is the best medical and billing coding certification?

Organizations like the American Academy of Professional Coders and the American Health Information Management Association provide certification for medical billing and coding. Some certifications cover billing or coding only, while others cover both, so choose the certification that best aligns with your career goals.

Objectives For Training Medical Employees

Jared Lewis is a professor of history, philosophy and the humanities. He has taught various courses in these fields since 2001. A former licensed financial adviser, he now works as a writer and has published numerous articles on education and business. He holds a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in theology and has completed doctoral work in American history.

Front Desk Training Tips For Medical Offices

John Kibilko has been writing professionally since 1979. He landed his first professional job with "The Dearborn Press" while still in college. He has since worked as a journalist for several Wayne County newspapers and in corporate communications. He has covered politics, health care, automotive news and police and sports beats. Kibilko earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Wayne State University.

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