Medical Billing and Coding Program
Begin a new career in the revenue side of healthcare!
Rather than taking care of patients, Medical Billers & Coders impact health care offices and hospitals in an entirely different way – by bringing in the revenue. Without Medical Billing and Coding, the inflow of revenue would come to a screeching halt; that’s how significant your role can be.
Think about it. No billing and coding; no revenue. No revenue; no hospital, doctor’s office, or clinics. No health care establishments; no patient care. That’s how important this work is to the health of our SYSTEM itself.
Maybe you’re taking your first step into a healthcare career straight out of high school, or after being dual enrolled…
Maybe you’ve already been in another health care profession and are looking for a change…
Maybe you’ve decided your children are now the right age for you to go back to work…
Or, perhaps you want to earn a new credential that allows you to earn more money, plan for a better future, and provide more for your family than you’re able to right now.
In any case, if you need a flexibly scheduled, fully online program for entering or expanding your role in the healthcare field, you owe it to yourself to learn more about Medical Billing and Coding at Kirtland Community College.
Read on…
Why seriously consider Medical Billing and Coding?
Medical Billing and Coding is often a first step in a series of healthcare careers. With the knowledge and skills you’ll pick up during your training, you’ll be able to speak the language of the medical community.
Medical Billing and Coding has applications across a broad spectrum of settings, such as: hospitals, government entities, veterinarian’s offices, out-patient facilities, chiropractic or dental offices, emergency settings, pharmacies, and more.
This is a great way to enter the medical field and become part of America’s health care community without turning your life upside down! You can be educated entirely online, and you can even do it part-time at your own pace.
And, let’s not forget, for some, this is a career that can eventually be performed remotely, either from your home or from another location as you travel. This kind of arrangement isn’t always easy to create and doesn’t work for all employers by any stretch, but if remote work is what’s important to you, this is one career where it’s a real possibility.
What you can expect once you go to work
While your responsibilities in Medical Billing and Coding will vary somewhat with your work setting, they will likely include:
- completing insurance claims
- using billing and collection techniques, including accurately applying billing and coding principles to optimize reimbursement
- using a standardized computer system to input, manage, maintain, and secure medical records
- applying computer and information literacy skills and using electronic medical software
- using medical terminology along with anatomy and physiology to describe health conditions and procedures
- abstracting information from patient records to accurately complete revenue cycles
- demonstrating an understanding of ethical and legal concepts pertaining to health care reimbursement
Career Opportunities
Median Salary (2021) in Michigan: $37,740
Employment growth (2021-31): 8%
Salary data according to O*NET Online
Is this a program where YOU can excel and earn your certificate entirely online?
If you agree with most of these ideas, the answer may be YES …
- I want to work in health care but I’m mostly interested in having low levels of patient interaction. Being the liaison between patients and insurance companies is fine with me. However, I don’t want to lift patients, change dressings, check vital signs, perform DIRECT patient care – at least not right now.
- I love the idea of being a crucial part of the administrative team in a health care establishment, someone who helps keep the revenue flowing for the good of all.
- I want and need a program I can complete entirely online.
- I’m definitely detail-oriented.
- I’m interested in working with computers and don’t mind learning different software programs.
- I’m motivated by money so that I’ll be able to provide a better life for my children than I’m currently capable of.
- I value flexibility when it comes to work locations. In fact, I’d love to be able to work remotely one day. (I understand that not everyone can actually make this happen right away, but it’s one of Billing and Coding’s greatest attractions.)
Finish with a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate of Completion
After completing your program, which includes a Practicum as your final class, you’ll sit for two exams administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders. Then you’ll be ready to go to work!
Prepared for taking certification exams
- The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Certification and CPB (Certified Professional Biller) Certification.
- Although AAPC does not require any specific courses to sit for the exam, most organizations require certification in coding and billing, which is state and organization specific.
- Kirtland’s Medical Billing and Coding certificate program prepares students for certification.
Kirtland has a stellar record for online education
There are reasons that Kirtland is consistently ranked among the top 25 sources for online learning in America
- We’re not newcomers to online education! We’ve been teaching online for over ten years.
- Our classes are highly interactive. This is not a plug-and-play robotic interaction! We get personally acquainted with our students and make ourselves available to help them.
- Faculty not only know their subject areas, but also care about your well being and progress.
You’ll have flexibility in your scheduling
Many of our students attend part-time. You can choose whether to take one course a semester, or two, or more. This makes it easier for school to fit into your lifestyle, which is especially helpful if you’re raising children, doing some other form of care taking, or have a full-time job.
This program isn’t ‘cohort based,’ which means you’ll be progressing through the program completely at your own pace (unlike the Nursing Program, for instance, where the entire class moves through the program together).
Passionate student-focused advisors provide the guidance you need to succeed.
Our advisors are well-known among current and former students alike for their kindness and exceptional level of interest and commitment to our students’ success. They’ll do their best to answer your questions and get you the right information.
Kirtland makes it easier to work out the finances
You can save a lot of money by enrolling here. Our tuition rates are one-third the cost of most four-year schools and universities, which puts you at a real advantage!
We also have many resources for financial aid and professional staff who’ll help you apply.
Get help with your financial aid
You may be surprised by how simple it is to apply for government grants, scholarships and loans.
Your credit history is not a major consideration in qualifying for federal aid. You DON’T need to attend school full-time to qualify. And we will assist you with the process you’re dreading IF you need help. Often students are eligible for more money than they’re expecting.
Your path to a new and gratifying career
Step 1 — Get Started
Apply for admission to the college. Apply for financial aid. p.s. If you need assistance with your financial aid application, we’re here to help!
Step 2
Speak to an advisor!
They’ll help you navigate the process, dot the I’s and cross the T’s! If you’ve made your decision, declare Medical Billing and Coding as your program of study with your advisor.
Step 3
Complete your program courses.
Step 4
Earn approval to register for your Practicum: Medical Billing and Coding.
Step 5
Take the practicum.
Step 6
Graduate from the program! Earn your Certificate of Completion.
Step 7
Pass your Credential exams in both billing and coding, administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
FINAL STEP
VICTORY! You’re eligible for your first job as a medical coder and/or biller.
BONUS STEP: Consider Further Education
There are many more options in health care that you might be interested in either now or later. You have many credits that may transfer to your next academic effort! For instance, you could stay at Kirtland and complete your Associate Degree in Applied Science and become a Medical Assistant – you’ve already completed some of the required courses!