Best Online Associate Degree in Medical Billing and Coding of 2024

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $70-$80
Out-of-State | $90-$130

Credits to Graduate: 65

The online medical coding associate degree at Cowley College prepares students to pursue entry-level roles and sit for national certification exams. Courses cover basic skills like business communications and healthcare finance; computer literacy; and technical requirements, including bioethics, pharmacology, and reimbursement methodologies. Students complete a healthcare coding practicum in a virtual medical office setting. 

Enrollees can apply for Kansas Promise Scholarships, which pays the program expenses in exchange for two years of work in Kansas after graduation. 

Cost per 0-5.99 Credits:
In-State | $2,867
Out-of-State | $2,867

Credits to Graduate: 60

Keiser University's online medical billing and coding associate degree program trains students to handle coding procedures, compliance, and insurance claims submissions. Graduates can qualify for positions at hospitals, government agencies, long-term care facilities, and physicians' offices. They can also take the American Academy of Professional Coders professional coding exam at the apprentice level. 

Each enrollee completes one four-week course at a time. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, terminology and disease process, computerized medical office management, and medical law and ethics.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $122
Out-of-State | $247

Credits to Graduate: 91-94 quarter credits

Students take primarily online courses to earn their medical office specialist associate degrees in billing and coding at Mt. Hood Community College. The program teaches skills in assigning proper diagnosis and procedural codes, ensuring medical chart correctness and completeness, managing healthcare billing processes, and adjusting and resubmitting claims.

Enrollees with limited or no computer experience can take a free course in computer basics for college success before beginning the program. The curriculum includes a preparation course for the National Professional Coding exam. 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $123
Out-of-State | $317

Credits to Graduate: 65

Everett Community College offers a medical coding certificate that puts learners on track for certification and entry-level employment. Students can learn to assign codes to diagnoses, procedures, symptoms, and treatments that inform insurance companies and other third-party payers of medical services.

The college offers the program fully online but charges a fee for learners outside of Washington State. The curriculum includes foundation courses in health information, vocabulary, anatomy, and pathopharmacology. Enrollees also complete coding classes and professional practice experience. 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $464
Out-of-State | $464

Credits to Graduate: 60

Students can complete Herzing University's online medical billing and coding associate degree program in 20 months. Enrollees can transfer up to 45 credits and save on tuition with a 10% discount from the school's Financial Commitment Scholarship. Learners prepare for billing and coding certification exams and medical records careers.

The flexible schedule offers day and evening classes to accommodate busier students. A rolling admissions process accepts applications anytime. The program provides virtual advising, tutoring, technical support, and lifelong career coaching. 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $124
Out-of-State | $124

Credits to Graduate: 61

Southeast Technical College's hybrid associate degree in medical coding uses a Bring Your Own Laptop policy, which encourages students to purchase laptops from the college to ensure they meet the minimum specifications. Applicants can qualify for admission with minimum high school or college GPAs, GED certificates, ACT/SAT scores, and ACCUPLACER scores.

Coding courses include an introduction to coding/reimbursement revenue cycle, health information services, medical language, and a virtual practicum in a simulated medical office environment.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $212
Out-of-State | $212

Credits to Graduate: 60

The online medical coding specialist associate degree program at Northland trains students in diagnosis and procedure coding, medical insurance claim processing, and patient account management. Foundation courses provide an understanding of human anatomy and physiology, human diseases, and medical terminology. Learners examine Medicare, Medicaid, and disability coverage plans. 

The curriculum includes a medical office simulation that gives students hands-on experiences similar to internships and externships. Graduates qualify to take entry-level national coding certification exams and for positions in clinics, hospitals, government offices, and insurance companies.  

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $212
Out-of-State | $212

Credits to Graduate: 60

Northwest Technical College's online medical coding associate degree prepares graduates to classify medical diagnoses and treatments professionally. Learners gain marketable skills in insurance claims processing, medical billing, and patient account management. Coursework includes bioethical issues in contemporary society, business communications, pharmacology, and U.S. healthcare systems.

Upon completing the medical coding associate degree, graduates can transfer up to 60 credits toward an online bachelor of applied science in business administration at Mayville State University in North Dakota. 

Cost per Year:
In-State | $2,880
In-Region | $4,320
Out-of-State | $5,760

Credits to Graduate: 60-62

Central Maine Community College offers an associate in medical coding and electronic health records emphasizing personal and professional ethics, laws and regulations, and coding accuracy. The fully online program provides flexibility and access to online advising, tutoring, and research assistance.

Each enrollee completes a practicum with 135 hours of clinical experience and preparation for medical coding credentialing exams. The college maintains a transfer agreement with St. Joseph College for graduates pursuing bachelor's degrees in health information management.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $165-$236
Out-of-State | $360

Credits to Graduate: 60

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's medical coding associate degree program features an online format that includes some in-person components. Students learn to apply codes, submit insurance claims, investigate denied claims, and create electronic medical records. Required major courses include financial management in healthcare, human disease and treatment modalities, medical coding certification prep, and a medical coding and billing simulation practicum.

Penn Highlands holds transfer agreements with Saint Francis University and Seton Hall University for students interested in continuing their medical coding and billing studies.