Medical Billing and Coding Programs: Your Path to a Healthcare Career

Medical billing and coding is one of the essential pillars of the healthcare system, ensuring that every service is correctly documented, coded, and reimbursed by insurance companies. Medical billers and coders play an essential role in multiple healthcare settings: physician's offices, ambulatory surgery centers, diagnostic centers and labs, clinics, and more. Become a medical biller or coder with this online class at Lehman College in the Bronx.

Benefits of Certification

Certified billers and coders with certification earn approximately $60,097 per year, 27% more than their non-certified colleagues. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) 2015 data showed that the average wage for a Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) was approximately $50,000.

Program Offerings and Certifications

Lehman College offers an AAPC approved curriculum that prepares students for the Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC™) exam. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, School of Health Professions Medical Billing and Coding program is a certificate program designed to assist individuals entering the field of medical billing and coding, or preparing for certification. Become a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC®). The City College of New York offers an Online Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) program. This program will prepare students to understand the anatomy and physiology of major body systems and identify the purpose and structure of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding manuals.

Lehman College Programs

• AAPC Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) & Certified Professional Coder (CPC™) Bronx Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) Training Online
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC™) Training Online

Students receive a voucher for the Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) exam and Certified Professional Coder (CPC™) exam offered by AAPC, the world's largest training and credentialing organization for the business of healthcare. Each Practicum includes 2 voucher exam attempts. However, only one AAPC Student Membership is provided per student.

City College of New York Program

The City College of New York program is divided into two parts. Part I covers Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and the fundamentals of Medical Coding. Part II focuses on Medical Billing, health insurance claims processing, legal and ethical responsibilities in healthcare, and preparation for the NHA certification exam. This program provides a strong foundation and the certification preparation needed to launch your career. By the end of this course, you'll be ready to pursue certification and enter the workforce with confidence.

Part 1: Core Knowledge

• Medical terminology, technology, anatomy, and physiology
• The fundamentals of medical coding
• How insurance claims are prepared, submitted, and followed up
• The role of billing and coding specialists within healthcare organizations

Part 2: Advanced Skills and Certification Prep

• Revenue Cycle Management
• Health insurance procedures and payer requirements
• Compliance standards, and legal and ethical responsibilities
• Advanced billing and coding techniques
• Full preparation for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam

Prerequisites for Enrollment

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent. To enroll, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English. Students should be prepared for extensive use of medical terminology and complex concepts. Basic computer literacy and comfort using digital tools and online platforms are required. Able to work legally in the U.S. for City College of New York program.

Curriculum Highlights

All programs emphasize a strong foundation in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

Common Course Topics

• Medical Terminology for Billing & Coding
• Medical Billing and Insurance
• Medical Coding
• Certified Professional Biller Practicum
• Certified Professional Coder Practicum

Financial Assistance

Lehman College offers the ASSET Scholarship, which covers 50% of tuition for the program. For more information on how to apply, interested individuals can inquire.

Comparison of Key Program Features

Institution	Certifications	Program Focus	Format
Lehman College	CPB™, CPC™ (AAPC approved)	Billing and Coding fundamentals, exam prep	100% live online
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University	CCS®, CPC®	Medical Billing and Coding, certification preparation	Part-time evening and weekend
The City College of New York	CBCS (NHA prep)	Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Billing, Coding, NHA exam prep	Online Synchronous