Medical bill with a calculator on sitting on top.

Online Medical Billing and Coding Certification Training

Turn Medical Information Into Meaningful Career Skills

From documenting a diagnosis to submitting an insurance claim, healthcare organizations depend on accurate information at every step. SUNY Schenectady County Community College's online Medical Billing and Coding training program introduces you to the specialized processes that connect patient care, medical records, and reimbursement.

You will examine medical terminology, anatomy, health insurance, and the coding systems used to classify healthcare services. Through training in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding, you will develop an understanding of medical documentation, claims processing, HIPAA compliance, and revenue cycle management.

This medical billing and coding course also prepares you to pursue industry certification. After successfully completing your training, you can select a voucher for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam.

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Career Outlook for Medical Billing and Coding Professionals

Accurate medical coding and billing help healthcare organizations manage patient information, maintain documentation standards, and process reimbursement. These specialized functions provide a pathway into healthcare for individuals interested in working with medical information and administrative systems.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of medical records specialists to increase 8% nationally from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Approximately 14,000 openings are projected annually, on average, over the decade. The

median annual wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 in May 2025. The average annual medical biller salary is $57,628 in New York State, according to Indeed.

Industry credentials may also affect earning potential. According to AAPC's 2025 Salary Survey, noncertified respondents reported average annual earnings of $61,022, while certified respondents averaged $66,186, an 8.5% difference. Compensation also varies based on experience, specialization, and location.

In New York's Capital Region, medical records specialists earn wages above the national median. According to May 2025 BLS wage data, the median annual wage for medical records specialists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area was $55,860, compared with $51,140 nationally. Across New York state, the median annual wage for this occupation was $61,720.

Medical Billing and Coding FAQs

Medical billing and coding involves organizing healthcare information and converting clinical documentation into the standardized codes and insurance claims used for reimbursement.

Medical coders interpret patient records and identify the codes associated with diagnoses, procedures, and medical services. Medical billers use that information to prepare claims, verify insurance details, and assist with reimbursement. These responsibilities may be performed independently or combined within one position, depending on the healthcare organization.

Medical billing and coding professionals are employed in settings where accurate healthcare documentation and reimbursement are essential. These may include hospitals, medical practices, health insurance companies, specialty pharmacies, medical supply organizations, and businesses that provide billing and coding services.

Opportunities may also exist in healthcare consulting, government agencies, and medical technology organizations. Some positions allow professionals to work remotely, although arrangements depend on the employer, job responsibilities, and experience.

Although medical billing and coding are closely related, they involve different stages of the healthcare reimbursement process.

Medical coding focuses on reviewing clinical records and assigning standardized codes that describe patient diagnoses, procedures, and services. Medical billing uses those codes to generate insurance claims, track payments, and address reimbursement issues. Knowledge of both areas can help professionals understand how medical documentation connects to healthcare revenue.

After successfully passing the final exam, you will receive a certificate of completion through SUNY Schenectady County Community College.

You will also receive applicable study materials and a voucher for your choice of the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by AAPC, the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by AHIMA, or the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam offered by NHA.

Course Objectives

Build proficiency in medical terminology while studying the anatomy, structures, and functions of the human body
Identify common health conditions, disorders, and medical procedures associated with major body systems
Examine the legal, ethical, and regulatory standards governing medical billing and coding, including HIPAA compliance and third-party insurance claim requirements
Become familiar with the ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding systems and their applications
Develop the ability to assign appropriate codes to diagnoses, healthcare services, and medical procedures across body systems
Establish an understanding of medical billing processes, coding principles, and healthcare terminology
Interpret medical prefixes, suffixes, and root words and connect their meanings to human anatomy and physiology
Gain practical experience using Codify, an encoder application from AAPC
Prepare for the CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification exam based on your professional interests and goals

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Prerequisites and Requirements

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification exams. For this reason, it is recommended that you meet this requirement before enrolling.

Upon successful course completion, you can select a voucher for one of the following certification exams:

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by AAPC
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by AHIMA
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam offered by NHA

Online certification exams offered by AAPC and NHA are available only to candidates located in the U.S. AHIMA offers its certification exam in person in the U.S. and internationally.

Professional Certification Pathways

This course offers preparation for three nationally recognized medical billing and coding credentials, allowing you to pursue the certification that best matches your professional goals.

The CPC certification from AAPC emphasizes professional medical coding, while AHIMA's CCA credential demonstrates foundational coding knowledge across healthcare environments. The CBCS certification from NHA focuses on essential competencies in medical billing and coding.

For students pursuing the CPC pathway, the course also includes access to AAPC's Practicode Practicum. This resource provides hands-on coding exercises and can help satisfy experience requirements associated with the CPC-A apprentice designation.

Instructors and Support

Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently, she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a Long-Term Care establishment that is based out of Alabama. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha's field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.

Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and owns her own consulting firm.

Lydia S. Stewart, RN, BSN, currently serves as the Revenue Cycle Manager at a large regional medical center. Lydia has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years, 15 of those years specializing in Critical Care Nursing and supervision. She is responsible for Medical Audits, Charge Capture, and governmental compliance audits and reviews. Lydia is a member of the Louisiana Medical Auditor Association and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Bunny Reeves is the senior ambulatory surgery coder at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She trains student coders at Maimonides Medical Center and previously trained and supervised entry-level coders at Staten Island's St. Vincent Medical Center. Reeves is a Certified Coding Specialist, accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She has a Master's degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, and has served as a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994. Sharon was an active duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Sharon later moved to the Gulf Coast to accept a position as the Director of Education of Blue Cliff College and was promoted to Campus Director.

Stacey O'Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. Ms. O'Brien has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises the coding and electronic claims submission process for a group medical practice. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from the AAPC.

April Adams, M.S., RHIA, CDIP, CPC-I, CPB, CPMA, has worked in the healthcare field since 2011, transitioning from a high school biology and chemistry teacher to a specialist in medical coding and auditing. She focuses on HCC, clinical documentation improvement (CDI), and DRGs and has taught health information management (HIM) courses, including medical terminology, law and ethics, coding, and revenue cycle management since 2018.

April possesses a master's in health information management with a specialization in data analytics. She also serves on the board of the Dallas-Fort Worth Health Information Management Association and holds multiple industry certifications.

Medical Terminology Instructors

Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Additional Resources

Registration and Enrollment

This 370-hour course is 100% online and self-paced. You can begin your training at any time and have 12 months to complete the program.