How to Choose an Accredited School for Medical Billing and Coding
Accreditation is very important when selecting a medical billing and coding school. Programs that are accredited help ensure the student will receive the necessary eduction to successfully pass the required certification exams and to confidently practice in the field of medical billing and coding.
- Start your search online by visiting the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) website. The organization provides a list of almost 100 accredited programs from multiple educational venues across the US.
- Click the "Accredited Programs Directory" link.
- Enter the type of program you want to enroll in. Certificate, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree or even an advanced Master's degree programs are offered.
- Now select the state where you will be attending school. You can also select distance education programs.
- Review the results of the returned programs.
- Select the programs that are of interest and visit the school's website for additional information.
- Check with the school's admission and prerequisite requirements. Some schools have specific prerequisites concerning grade point averages, or SAT, or ACT score values.
- Review the website as per cost per credit hour to get an idea of how much the program will cost. Furthermore, check the school's website for any special financial aid programs available. Some institutions offer special funding for students interested in medically related programs.
- After reviewing the program, cost and admission requirements, if you have determined the program is for you, contact the admission's office to enroll.
It is important to always select a program endorsed by at least one of these organizations.
- the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)