What are Medical Billers and Coders: Training Course, Certification and Salary What are Medical Billers and Coders: Training Course, Certification and Salary
The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Medical Biller and Coder in the U.S Today The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Medical Biller and Coder in the U.S Today
Online Courses for Medical Billing and Coding
Online Courses for Medical Billing and Coding
Table of Content

Job Outlook for the medical billers and coders

The field of medical billing and coding is currently on the rise. With the help of this entirely online course, you will be ready to begin a career in this in-demand field and obtain the medical billing and coding professional certification that most closely matches your interests and professional objectives.

Medical billing and coding specialists work in one of the fastest growing industries and earn an average annual salary of $40,350, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

By 2026, the BLS predicts that this industry will require at least 27,000 new positions.

Finding a Free Medical Billing and Coding Course

Depending on the role, different skills are needed. While some entry-level positions call for formal training and a passing grade on a medical billing and coding certification exam, others demand basic coding and billing expertise as well as relevant work experience.

A free or inexpensive online course in medical coding and billing can give you an edge in a crowded job market. Due to the lack of prerequisites, these courses have a low entry barrier and will prepare you for certification later in your career.

In this industry, certification may offer a financial benefit. The average medical billing and coding salary for certified professionals is $56,290 per year, which is 17.7% more than the salary of non-certified individuals, according to a 2023 survey by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Depending on the provider, medical billing and coding online courses can range in price. A free training course is a great way to get a taste of the industry if you're not sure if a career in medical billing and coding is right for you or you still have questions about the subject.

Instead of focusing specifically on medical billing and coding, some of the free courses listed below explore a range of subjects. These courses could help you increase your knowledge if you already work in the field.

Top 10+ Best Free Online Courses for Medical Billing and Coding Today

The following medical coding classification systems are used by experts in medical billing and coding. Since these manuals are frequently used in the field, they are covered in many free courses.

Finding a course that covers what you'll need to know can be made easier by becoming familiar with the abbreviations for these classification systems:

Disease classification systems include ICD11, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS.

Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Level II: HCPCS Current Procedural Terminology: CPT.

The free online courses for medical coding and billing are listed below.

1 . AI and Big Data in Global Health Improvement

Offered by Taipei Medical University

Instead of focusing specifically on medical billing and coding, this Future Learn course examines AI and big data in the context of the medical industry as a whole. If you want to work in medical coding and billing, having this background is essential to your foundation.

Depending on the universities and organizations they are partnered with, Future Learn is a massive open online course platform and educational website that offers a catalog of rotating classes. The course is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars and can be finished in about four weeks if you work at a pace of roughly two hours per week.

You will discover how big data can advance the healthcare sector and healthcare communication throughout the free online course. Additionally, you will discover how to use artificial intelligence and data science to standardize and enhance healthcare. Anyone interested in big data and artificial intelligence as they relate to the healthcare sector is welcome to take the course, which has no prerequisites. The program is being offered by Taipei Medical University, which for the better part of the past ten years has been a leader in Taiwan's healthcare sector.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes (With $59 fee)

Time to Complete: Approximately 4 weeks

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Learn from a pioneering medical university
  • No prerequisites required

Cons:

  • Certificate of achievement does not come free with course
  • Does not teach directly about healthcare coding and billing

2. Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Offered by Erasmus University Rotterdam

Similar to the course mentioned above, this one on cybersecurity can provide you with the background knowledge in IT you need to succeed in the field even though it does not directly cover healthcare coding and billing. The top-ranked research university in the Netherlands and provider of this free course to Coursera is Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Coursera collaborates with universities and other organizations to offer students both free and paid online courses and degree programs that they can complete at their own pace. This course has no prerequisites, and the material covered in it is fundamental in nature.

This course aims to teach students to embrace security, which is something hospitals need to be completely secure. You will learn about the difficulties associated with the increasingly digitalized healthcare industry in this free online course that examines both social and technological aspects of cybersecurity that are used to keep hospitals safe. Topics like hacking, online safety, data breaches, and human behavior will all be covered in the modules. The course can be finished in just 15 hours, so it doesn't require a significant time commitment.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes

Time to Complete: Approximately 15 hours

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Learn about both social and practical aspects of cybersecurity
  • 15-hour course, not a large time commitment

Cons:

  • Does not teach directly about healthcare coding and billing

3. What is Medical Coding and Billing?

Offered by Udemy

In the sense that it enables instructors to design and upload their own courses, setting their own fees and interest levels, Udemy is an individually constructed course network. On the website, there are thousands of paid and free courses on a wide range of professional and creative topics. This medical billing and coding course can be finished in just one hour, and nearly 4,000 students have already rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This top free course for medical coding and billing is excellent for those who are unsure whether they want to work in the field and need more information about potential careers in general. It is offered by PPMC Academy, a company established in 2018 with the goal of connecting medical practice management with students at a low cost. Additionally, they provide practice management and front desk administration courses.

This course will teach you about the duties of a medical coder, a medical biller, diagnostic and procedural coding, your options for further education, and how to get a job. Due to the fact that it covers the kinds of tasks you can complete remotely, this course is excellent for students looking for work-from-home opportunities.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Approximately 1 hour

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Perfect for those who are unfamiliar with medical coding and billing tasks
  • 1-hour course, not a large time commitment

Cons:

  • No certificate of achievement

4. Basics of Medical Coding & Billing

Offered by Free Medical Billing Training: www.freemedicalbillingtraining.com

For those who want to start learning about medical coding and billing but may not have the funds to put into schooling or a paid course, free medical billing training is a great resource. The website provides a condensed, free version of their well-liked, for-profit medical billing and coding course, which has more than 50 video lessons. In this condensed, free course, there are 10 topics that cover a range of significant lessons about medical coding and billing, such as how to handle claim problems, an introduction to medical coding, how to set up providers and patients, and how to work with insurance policies.

Despite the fact that all of the lessons in this brief course are written, it is a fantastic chance to get a taste of medical coding and billing and determine whether you want to pursue the field further. Additionally, you always have the choice of purchasing the complete medical coding and billing fundamentals course to delve deeper into the topics covered if you like the information provided in the brief, introductory course. For a more thorough free preview of the foundations course, you can also register for a free account on the website.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: As long as needed

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Offered by a website that focuses specifically on medical coding and billing
  • Gives a solid introduction to important coding & billing topics

Cons:

  • No certificate of achievement
  • Written information only, not an interactive course

5. Learn Medical Billing in One Hour

Offered by YouTube and Dr. Chrono

Despite the fact that learning medical coding and billing in an hour is unusual, Dr. Chrono's crash course does a respectable job of it. Several free educational videos on medical coding and billing as well as other healthcare-related topics are available on the Dr. Chrono YouTube channel.

The channel is made up of a group of individuals who are passionate about improving the healthcare industry and want to share their knowledge with others. The channel, which has more than a million total views, provides solutions to a wide range of healthcare-related issues.

This particular video discusses the revenue management tools Apollo and Apollo+, demonstrating how to use them and improving the efficiency of the billing process. Staff can easily manage their billing tasks and improve the medical payment process for everyone when you use the Apollo billing platform. Students can also sign up on Dr. Chrono's website for free to access their platform for medical billing and medical records and learn more by doing so.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Approximately 1 hour

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Offered by a website that focuses specifically on medical coding and billing
  • Dr. Chrono website offers more free resources for members

Cons:

  • No certificate of achievement
10+ Best Free Online Courses for Medical Billing and Coding
Best Free Online Certificate Programs in Medical Billing and Coding

6. Video Tutorials for Medical Coding & Billing

Offered by MB&CC: Medical Billing & Coding Certification: www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/introduction/

The fundamentals of the medical coding and billing industry are covered in five video lectures that MB&CC makes available on their website for free. In addition to providing students with educational options and information on how to launch their own medical coding and billing practice, MB&CC aims to educate students about the medical coding and billing industry in general. Along with the lectures, MB&CC also provides free, downloadable resources for students, such as practice problems, additional vocabulary, Powerpoint presentations, and quizzes.

You'll be given an overview of the field of medical coding and billing in section one of the lectures and learn why you might want to pursue it. You'll learn the fundamentals of medical coding and billing in sections two and three. You'll use this new information to solve some problems from the real world in section four.

You will learn about how to get ready for the American Association of Professional Coders Certified Professional Coder exam in the last section. The lectures will conclude by discussing where you should enroll in a medical billing and coding program and how to land your dream job.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: As long as necessary

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Offered by a website that focuses specifically on medical coding and billing
  • Free downloadable resources available for students

Cons:

  • No certificate of achievement

7. Medical Coding ICD 10 CM

Offered by Udemy

As was already mentioned, Udemy is an excellent tool for education because it enables instructors to upload their own courses in accordance with their areas of interest and educational background. Udaykumar Talloju, a certified inpatient coder who is more than qualified to instruct you on medical coding, designed this 30-minute course.

Despite the course's brief length, it is jam-packed with useful knowledge about ICD 10 CM medical coding. It is expected that anyone interested in enrolling in this free medical coding course already has some medical training or has earned a degree in life sciences.

Throughout the course, you will learn about the fundamentals of medical coding as they apply to ICD-10 CM and receive examples that will assist you in interpreting and placing that code in its proper context. As they won't need as much prior knowledge of medical coding as those with no experience, people who are already registered nurses or work in the healthcare industry will benefit most from this course.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Approximately 34 minutes

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Gives solid crash course on medical coding with ICD-10 CM

Cons:

  • Meant specifically for those with prior medical / life science experience
  • No certificate of achievement

8. Introduction to Medical Coding

Offered by YouTube and Contempo Coding

The largest video-sharing website on the internet, YouTube allows users to upload as much unrestricted content as they like. As a result, the website has a large number of free courses that instructors have uploaded. Contempo Coding is a channel that offers concise, educational lectures and courses on medical billing and coding. The instructor videos are incredibly helpful resources, even though they only cover the fundamentals of the subject and how to get the best education.

Contempo Coding explains everything you need to know about medical coding in this introductory video, as well as what it entails. The instructor walks students through the certifications required to become certified medical coders as well as how to get the best education to help you pass that certification. She also walks viewers through a day in the life of a medical coder, including what that day will entail. You can watch more of Contempo Coding's content as needed or desired because she has many videos on the topic of medical coding available.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Approximately 10 minutes, more videos available

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Videos offer different approaches and tips about medical coding

Cons:

  • YouTube videos, not a structured course with assignments or tests
  • No certificate of achievement

9. Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering

Offered by John Hopkins University via Coursera

Even though this course isn't specifically designed for those interested in a career in medical coding and billing, it is very closely related to the field and will help you prepare for other education by giving you a better understanding of how to perform your duties. If you want to work as a medical biller or coder, own your own practice, or anything else related to healthcare systems and how they interact, you must take this course.

This foundational course will undoubtedly set you on the right path, and Coursera has a large selection of reputable courses and degree programs to help you launch your new career.

This course can be finished in just six hours, and upon completion, you'll get a free certificate that you can share. This certificate can be distributed to potential employers, added to your resume, or posted on a LinkedIn or other professional networking profile. You will be able to correctly identify, comprehend, and be familiar with the various types of healthcare system types by the end of the free online course.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes

Time to Complete: Approximately 6 hours

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Provided by Johns Hopkins University
  • Free shareable certificate upon completion

Cons:

  • Focuses on engineering rather than coding or billing

10. Free Monthly Webinar

Hosted by Certification Coaching Org: www.cco.us

A website called Certification Coaching Organization provides students with an affordable education to get them ready for the different certification exams they might face. The website provides all the resources you need to get ready for one of these certifications, which is the one needed to work as a medical coder or biller.

They do offer a free monthly webinar that provides a rather special opportunity to learn more, even though the majority of their course materials are locked behind a paywall. Students can ask any questions they may have about coding during the webinar each month and get live responses.

In addition, if the webinar isn't really your thing, the website is currently offering a discount of 35% on all of their course materials. As a result, you can buy the website's actual content at a steep discount if you attend a webinar and think you might like it.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: As long as needed

Curriculum: Beginner

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

  • Live webinar where you can ask your own questions
  • Other course material is deeply discounted

Cons:

  • No certificate of achievement
  • The course itself is not free, just the webinars

What Is Medical Coding and Billing?

Cost: Free

Time to Completion: One hour

Course Summary This introductory mini-course is provided by UDEMY. Along with case studies, it provides you with a brief overview of medical billing and coding. It describes the duties performed by medical coders and billers, including assigning codes using the CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS, monitoring insurance claims, and collecting payments from patients.

This course does not fulfill the requirements for certification or offer a completion certificate. This course may provide you with enough information to determine whether a career in medical coding and billing is the best choice for you if you're thinking about doing so.

Basics of Medical Billing and Coding

Cost: Free

Time to Completion: At your own pace

Overview of the course: This free online course covers the foundations of medical billing and coding. This version is free and contains 10 condensed lessons with written content and quick videos. Which lessons you want to watch are your choice. The fundamentals are covered, including terminology, safeguarding against fraud abuse, health insurance plans, and preparing and submitting insurance claims.

This course does not fulfill the requirements for certification or offer a completion certificate. You can decide if the expanded course is the right fit before purchasing by taking this course, which gives you an idea of what the paid version of the course covers.

MedicalBillingAndCoding.org (MB&CC)

Cost: Free

Time to Completion: At your own pace

Course Summary A medical billing and coding company called MB&CC provides free training in the area. The terms and fundamental concepts used in medical billing and coding are covered in these tutorials. The free training is divided into five sections and includes both written and video content.

The purpose of MB&CC is to get people ready for a certification test. Participants also have access to free study tools, a free e-textbook, a directory of medical billing and coding schools, health insurance guides, and other resources in addition to this free course.

Although you won't receive a certificate of completion for completing this training, you will have access to a wealth of free resources and information. For those who are new to the field and would like to learn more, this free training is a good choice.

Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Cost: Free

Time to Completion: 15 hours

Overview of the course: This is a Coursera introductory course. Because medical billers and coders handle sensitive information and confidential patient data, this course provides pertinent, specialized knowledge about cybersecurity in healthcare.

The importance of cybersecurity for medical facilities such as clinics, hospitals, and doctor's offices is covered in this course. It discusses data security threats to the healthcare industry, hospital cybersecurity, aspects of digitizing patient data, and information security.

When you finish the course, you receive a certificate of completion, but this does not automatically mean that you have fulfilled the requirements for medical billing and coding certification. Both novice and seasoned medical billers and coders benefit from taking this course by improving their resumes.

Introduction to Medical Coding Course (I2MC)

Cost: Free

Time to Completion: Eight weeks

Overview of the course: Absolute Medical Coding Institute is a center for medical coding exam training. The company provides a free weekly webinar where newcomers to medical coding can learn the basics. You can enroll in the organization's paid course with a 20% discount off the cost after completing this course.

This course covers the fundamentals of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II in addition to anatomy and medical terminology. When the course is completed, you receive a certificate of completion.

It's important to note that medical billing is not covered in this course. It might be a good choice for those who are considering a career in medical coding or who want to brush up on the fundamentals of the field.

Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering

Cost: Free

Time to Completion: Approximately six hours

Overview of the course: Coursera offers this free course. Despite not being directed at medical billing and coding specialists, it provides insightful information about healthcare systems. The lack of effective and integrated healthcare systems is covered in this course along with how it affects the advancement of healthcare services.

After completing this course, you will receive a certificate of completion; however, this does not imply that you are now ready to take a certification exam. Taking this course might be a good idea if you're a medical coding and billing expert interested in the difficulties healthcare organizations face and solutions to those problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Courses for Medical Billing and Coding Training

10+ Best Free Online Courses for Medical Billing and Coding
Free Online Medical Billing and Coding Courses

1. Who Should Take A Medical Coding and Billing Training Course?

While anyone can enroll in a medical coding and billing course, some individuals are undoubtedly more suitable than others. It probably won't take you very long to pick up medical coding or billing if you are already a registered nurse and have some prior experience in the healthcare industry. You won't require any additional medical training because you already understand how the complex healthcare system operates.

Additionally, if you have a degree in life sciences, you already have a solid understanding of human anatomy and physiology, so all you need to do is learn how to code.

That's not to say that if you have no medical background, you can't start a career in medical billing or coding. Many competent billers and coders lack prior medical industry knowledge.

2. Can I learn medical coding online for free?

Yes, you can obtain free online training in the fundamentals of medical coding. Even though taking a free course is a great way to learn more about a new profession, you still need to follow additional steps to get certified. Obtaining a certification in medical billing and coding online may not be free, but there are affordable options. You might be more likely to be hired for an entry-level position if you finish a free training course.

3. Can you earn a degree solely through the Internet?

You can improve your career prospects without leaving home if you enroll in a legitimate certificate program that is offered entirely online. You can participate in online lectures, study at your own pace, juggle a demanding schedule, and hold virtual office hours with your professors and classmates all as part of your degree program. An online program may be appealing to people who need more leeway in their schedules to fulfill educational obligations, such as those who work full-time or have families and want to continue their education.

Part-time students drove a 2.2% increase in enrollment at online colleges and universities during the spring 2021 semester as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Part-time enrollment at online universities increased by 5.1% this spring, while full-time enrollment increased by less than 1%. Students aged 21–24 contributed to the growth by increasing their enrollment by 7.1%.

4. Are degrees earned online accepted globally?

There are numerous online degree programs available all over the world. As a result, the majority of countries also recognize the certificates and degrees that these institutions have awarded. By 2026, the online learning market is expected to reach $370 billion, according to EducationData.

However, make sure you are enrolled in an accredited online program that is recognized by your nation. In various regions of the world, regulated industries frequently have a wide range of professional qualifications. As a result, it might not matter where you earn your degree, but to be accepted as a professional in your field, you might need to pass a certification exam at home.

5. Is an online degree just as valuable as a traditional one?

Although some students might worry that their degree won't be respected because they got it online, this isn't the case for many employers. The degree is equally valid as one earned through traditional learning, provided the college that awarded it is genuine and accredited. In some professions, the degree's attainment in a particular field—rather than its location—is more important.

In some circumstances, a traditional degree is less desirable to prospective employers than an online degree. Employers might find it admirable if a candidate can demonstrate that they can maintain a work-life balance while going to school. When pursuing an online degree, exercising excellence shows a high level of commitment, intelligence, and a solid work ethic. Additionally, it shows prospective employers that the student is independent and competent to work hard without close supervision.

Understanding that not all employers will view online degrees in the same way is crucial. It's possible that some people have had bad experiences with employees who received their education from online diploma mills. This is one reason a student might think about enrolling in an online campus that is connected to a conventional, on-campus university. Whether a degree was obtained online or not, reputation-backed credentials may increase the likelihood that an employer will hire a candidate.

6. Can you learn medical billing and coding on your own?

Yes, you can learn medical billing and coding on your own now that there are so many resources online. Make sure you understand medical terminology, coding practices, and human anatomy. You can buy books to study at home and take free courses online.

7. Which certification is best for medical billing and coding?

The certification that helps you advance into the career you want is the best one. There are various certifications, some of which concentrate on a particular subject, such as professional billing, outpatient coding, or inpatient coding. You might want to start by looking at the certification options offered by the AAPC and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), two well-known credentialing organizations.

8. What Will I Gain From A Medical Coding and Billing Course?

You will be one step closer to working as an independent medical coder, biller, or in a medical environment once you finish a medical coding course. It will be necessary for you to complete a certification and gain official status before you can do this, and you'll probably need to work toward an AACP CPC certification. Even though this can be expensive and time-consuming, enrolling in a free course on the topic will at least familiarize you with the information you will learn later on.

9. Are Medical Coding and Billing Courses Difficult?

Particularly if you have never taken a coding class before, medical coding and billing are very challenging subjects. The courses may seem "difficult" at first, but that does not mean they are impossible to complete.

For your benefit, many of the courses on this list have live instructors monitoring and supervising them, so they will always be available if you need them. The instructor will want you to succeed and will assist you in completing the course if you have a question or need assistance with a particular topic or unit.

10. How Long Do Medical Coding and Billing Courses Take?

The length of medical billing and coding classes varies greatly. Some courses only require a half-hour or even less, to give you a quick overview. In the world of coding, short topics can be covered quickly, and there are frequently short courses that cover the basics or describe what a medical coding or billing professional does.

Longer courses that cover the process of medical coding and billing in greater detail can take several weeks or even months to complete. The depth of the topics covered in the course and your level of interest will determine how long it lasts.

11. Are Free Medical Coding and Billing Certification Courses Worth It?

Free courses on medical coding and billing are especially worthwhile. It can be a relief to find a course that is both educational and free, as so much medical billing and coding education can be time- and money-consuming. You won't have to be concerned about losing any money when you sign up for any of the courses or resources on the aforementioned list because they are all completely free.

You really have nothing to lose by enrolling in one of these courses, even if you don't like it, other than your time. However, we are confident that any of the courses on the list above will be a worthwhile use of your time.

In Conclusion

Many people assume that in order to work in the field of medical coding and billing, a university degree is required. This is mostly true, but there are also many things you can do on your own time to get ready for this field. In your spare time, you can enroll in one of the ten above-mentioned exciting and reliable medical coding and billing courses.

Even though you'll need to complete more coursework and pass certification exams before you can call yourself a medical coder or biller, educating yourself on your own is a crucial first step.

If you don't come from a medical background, you're bound to have a lot of inquiries about medical coding and billing. This is why we've included the information above, which details some of the most frequently asked questions and provides answers pertaining to our free medical billing and coding training courses.

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