Medical coding is a vital component of the healthcare system. Skilled medical billing and coding specialists review medical records, translate clinical data into easy-to-read invoices, and secure reimbursement from insurance providers. Every healthcare facility needs talented professionals to complete billing and coding tasks, whether a single physician operating a private practice or a vast hospital system.
This multi-faceted career requires adaptable critical thinkers who can process complex information while adhering to rigorous regulatory standards. As a result, the industry offers rewarding work and career stability to attract high-quality individuals.
The best way to become a medical billing and coding specialist is with a formal training program. Vocational schools provide comprehensive instruction focused on real-world application to ensure graduates can succeed from their first day on the job. Potential specialists can pursue a billing and coding diploma or degree. Each track offers distinct advantages depending on your career goals and focuses.
Medical coding is an in-demand career that involves reviewing medical charts and assigning standardized codes to diagnoses, procedures, and services. These codes are then used for insurance claims processing and medical data analysis. As our population ages and healthcare technologies advance, the need for qualified medical coders will continue to grow. But when starting out, should you pursue a certificate or get a degree? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of each pathway.
Getting a Medical Coding Certificate
A medical coding certificate is a quick and affordable way to gain entry into this career. Certificate programs are typically offered at community colleges, technical schools, hospitals, and even online. They can be completed in 6 months to 2 years.
The Pros
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Fast track to getting certified Certificate programs are laser-focused on the medical coding knowledge and skills you need to pass certification exams Some are even exam prep bootcamps. This allows you to start working as a certified coder more quickly.
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Affordable tuition. Certificate programs cost a fraction of what an associate or bachelor’s degree runs. No need to take unrelated gen ed courses either
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Flexible scheduling. Look for evening, weekend and online certificate programs if you need to work while earning your credential. Accelerated options may also be available.
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Hands-on training. Get experience with medical charts and coding software through in-depth classroom labs and practicums. Some certificate programs include an internship too.
The Cons
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Limited career advancement. A certificate alone may not open doors to high-level coder or compliance roles. You’ll likely need to continue your education.
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Less comprehensive. Certificate curriculums focus strictly on coding. You won’t get as much background in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, healthcare systems, etc.
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Less attractive to employers. In competitive job markets, employers may favor candidates with more education and training. A degree stands out.
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Minimal transferable skills. Your earning potential may be capped and lateral career moves limited. Consider pairing your certificate with a more generalized associate degree.
Earning a Medical Coding Degree
Degree programs allow you to go more in-depth in medical coding training while also developing transferable healthcare administration skills. This education can lead to more job options and higher salaries over your career.
The Pros
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More knowledge and capabilities. Degree programs expand on certificate curriculums with coursework in healthcare systems, medical ethics, health IT, healthcare management, anatomy and physiology. This better equips you for leadership roles.
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More employable. HR managers overwhelmingly prefer candidates with associate or bachelor’s degrees. Show you can commit to and handle higher education.
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Higher earning potential. Degree holders typically earn 10-30% more than those with just certificates or high school diplomas according to Payscale. Greater opportunities for promotion too.
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Transfer credits. Use community college credits towards a bachelor’s degree. Some fast-track RN-to-BSN programs are open to medical coding certificate holders too.
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Expands career options. Your degree’s expanded skillset opens doors to healthcare administration, health IT, practice management, and compliance officer roles.
The Cons
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Longer time commitment. Plan for 2 years for an associate degree, 4 years for a bachelor’s. Accelerated online options may be available.
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Higher cost. Tuition plus extras like books, fees, and supplies add up. Make sure to explore financial aid options.
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Delayed entry. It will take longer to meet certification eligibility requirements and start working compared to a coding bootcamp or shorter certificate.
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Still need coding training. Most degree programs don’t go into as much coding detail. You’ll want to take supplementary coding courses or get on-the-job training.
Key Factors When Deciding Between Certificate and Degree
Choosing between pursuing a medical coding certificate or degree comes down to a few key considerations:
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Career goals – If you want to move up into management someday, a degree is worthwhile. For a shorter-term coding career, a certificate may suffice.
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Timeframe – How soon do you need to be employed? Accelerated certificates get you job-ready faster.
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Cost – Can you afford tuition plus living expenses for 2-4 years of full-time education? Certificates are cheaper.
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Program availability – Search for accredited coding certificate and degree programs in your desired format (online, evenings, etc.)
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Employer preferences – In competitive job markets, hospitals and large coding agencies favor degrees.
Which Is Better for Medical Coding: Certificate or Degree?
There is no one “best” path to starting a medical coding career. Both certificates and degrees have their advantages. An ideal option may be earning a certificate first to start working quickly, then pursuing a degree later to expand your healthcare administration skillset. This ladder approach checks all the boxes:
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Gain entry-level coding job readiness fast via a certificate
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Start earning sooner with a coding job after certificate completion
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Continue education by transferring credits towards an associate or bachelor’s degree
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Increase long-term earning potential and leadership opportunities with a degree
Many healthcare employers offer tuition benefits you can take advantage of as an employee while completing your degree too.
Just be sure any medical coding certificate or degree program you enroll in has accreditation and clearly outlines certification exam prep. Visit the AAPC or AHIMA websites to verify approved coding education programs.
With careful planning, you can build a successful and rewarding medical coding career launch by making the most out of certificate and degree pathways.
What Does a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Do?
Medical billing and coding specialists provide vital administrative support to clinical practitioners in a variety of healthcare settings. They also help maintain document compliance to promote patient safety. You will compile and manage patient information in electronic medical record systems, conducting audits for completeness and compliance.
Medical Billers and coders primarily generate health insurance claims by converting narrative healthcare data from patient charts into standardized invoices using the ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems. As a medical billing and coding specialist, you will uphold ethical compliance regarding healthcare claims and follow patient privacy and HIPAA confidentiality guidelines.
You will most likely work in a conventional office setting within a clinical facility or remotely at an off-site facility. Depending on your employer, you may specialize in a specific practice area, focus on one phase of the revenue cycle, or serve as a generalist, completing all aspects of the billing process.
Medical Billing and Coding Diploma and Degree Programs
Choosing a diploma or a degree will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to confidently begin your career as a medical billing and coding specialist. The top employers require some level of formal training for applicants.
Completing your diploma or degree is the best way to secure an interview and begin working. When deciding between a diploma or degree, it’s vital to consider the following factors and how they relate to your short and long-term career goals.
Individuals with strong attention to detail and persistence are best suited for diploma and degree programs. As a medical biller and coder, you will encounter diverse cases every day because each patient’s course of care is different. You will need to assess the available information, utilize what you learned during your program, and research solutions to new problems you encounter.
Career Path
In general, you can complete a diploma program in a shorter timeframe than a degree program. Obtaining your diploma provides the quickest pathway to begin working as a medical billing and coding specialist. These programs are great for students without medical coding experience because they immerse you in the field. As a diploma holder, you’ll start gaining valuable experience that will help you grow professionally and build seniority with your employer.
Degree programs are excellent for individuals some prior billing experience because they establish the underlying fundamentals of the profession before adding advanced topics. A degree takes longer to obtain but offers broader career opportunities. While entry-level positions often require a minimum of a diploma, employers often limit promotions to advanced or supervisory roles to medical billing and coding specialists with degrees.
In addition, holding a degree is often a prerequisite for obtaining advanced certifications, like the Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) credential. The long-term earning potential with a degree is higher, but it will take you longer to begin working.
Curriculum and Coursework
In both programs, you will learn anatomy and physiology, coding skills, clinical terminology, and how to function as a biller and coder. Vocational educators are uniquely qualified to provide complete classroom instruction and use real-world scenarios to develop the practical skills needed to thrive in the workplace.
A diploma program will focus on how to complete billing tasks and the fundamental knowledge needed to understand the revenue cycle. You’ll learn the worldwide billing standard, federal laws, industry-wide rules, and regulations. Getting your diploma will make you an effective billing and coding specialist because your coursework will blend theory and simulated billing activities that will prepare you for the field.
A degree curriculum is more comprehensive. Your coursework will delve into advanced topics including clinical coding, pathophysiology, and a deeper exploration of the theory underlying billing practices. The broader scope of your coursework will prepare you for more specialized coding positions and opportunities for advancement because you’ll have a global understanding of the billing and coding industry.
Timeframe
While all vocational programs are structured to help you begin your career as soon as possible, a diploma can be earned faster than a degree. The diploma programs are tailored to get you up to speed quickly and efficiently, covering all the essential knowledge for you to successfully analyze, code, and bill healthcare claims.
Completing a degree takes a few extra months due to the additional classes needed to expand your knowledge about pathophysiology, healthcare regulations, and advanced coding principles. However, a degree program is still much faster than a 4-year college program.
A DEGREE? OR A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM? MEDICAL CODING | HIM | MEDICAL CODING WITH BLEU
What is a medical coder certification?
Certifications show employers you have the skills and knowledge to excel as a medical coder. The Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® certification from AAPC is the most recognized coding certificate in the healthcare industry. This certification is a good fit for medical coders interested in working in physicians’ offices.
Is a medical billing and coding degree better than a certificate?
Yes! Medical billing and coding diploma and associate degree programs are often more comprehensive than certificate programs. So, if you’re interested in a medical billing and coding career, diploma and associate degree programs like those offered at UMA can help prepare you for this path.
Can you get a job in medical billing and coding without a degree?
Yes, it’s possible to secure a job in medical billing and coding without a degree. Many employers accept candidates with a certificate or diploma. However, having an associate or bachelor’s degree in medical billing and coding can make you more competitive and offer avenues for career advancement. What type of degree is medical billing and coding?
How much does a medical coding certificate cost?
Certificate programs usually do not cost as much as a college degree. Students can take certification exams after they finish their programs. Colleges may offer associate degree programs in medical coding, which typically last two years.
