Medical Billing and Coding

Program Details

• SCHEDULE, REGISTRATION & FEES

  Course	Dates	Registration
  Online Medical Billing and Coding Training	Start any time	Online Medical Billing and Coding Training

  Course Details

  • Classes held online
  • Classes are self-paced and completed in 12 months or less
  • View program fee
  • Learn from industry experts in a flexible, self-paced format
  • Get personalized support from a dedicated student advisor

  Prerequisites and Certification Requirements

  There are no prerequisites to take this course. You 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.

  Fee Includes

  • A one-year AAPC membership and voucher for the CPC exam cost and one free retake

  Savings

  • CSUSM Student and Staff Discount Available! Contact Us to learn more
  • Financial Assistance

  Please note: All rates are subject to change without notice.

• MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CAREER OUTLOOK

  Healthcare organizations need accurate patient records, medical codes, and insurance information to manage their administrative and financial operations. Medical records specialists help maintain these essential processes while supporting healthcare providers and reimbursement activities.

  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of medical records specialists to grow 8% nationally from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Approximately 14,000 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 in May 2025. In California, the average salary of a medical biller is $64,797, according to Indeed.

  Certification, experience, and specialization can also influence compensation. According to AAPC's 2025 Salary Survey, noncertified respondents reported average annual earnings of $61,022, compared with $66,186 for certified respondents, an 8.5% difference.

  The San Diego region also has a substantial healthcare workforce. According to May 2025 BLS data, healthcare support occupations accounted for 5.9% of employment in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metropolitan area, compared with 5.1% nationally. Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations earned a mean hourly wage of $65.23 locally, compared with $52.26 nationally

• COURSE OBJECTIVES
  • Understand medical coding terminology, including the structures and functions of the human body
  • Identify disorders and medical procedures common to each body system
  • Understand legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts, including HIPAA compliance and third-party guidelines for filing insurance claims
  • Learn the main coding systems, including ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS Level II
  • Learn how to code diagnoses, services, and procedures for all systems of the body
  • Develop foundational knowledge of medical billing, coding, and medical terminology
  • Understand word parts and the structures and functions of the human body
  • Gain hands-on exposure to Codify, an encoder application from AAPC
  • Prepare for the CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification exam
• INSTRUCTORS & SUPPORT

  Nancy Smith

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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.

   

• FAQ

  What is medical billing and coding? What does a medical biller and coder do?

  Medical billing and coding professionals help healthcare organizations maintain accurate records and process insurance claims. Medical coders review patient documentation and assign standardized codes that identify diagnoses, procedures, and healthcare services.

  Medical billers use these codes to prepare claims, communicate with insurance providers, and help ensure healthcare organizations receive appropriate reimbursement. Depending on the employer, these responsibilities may be performed by separate professionals or combined into one position.

  Where do you work as a medical biller and coder?

  Medical billing and coding professionals work in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, physicians' offices, health insurance companies, medical supply businesses, specialty pharmacies, and organizations that specialize in billing and coding services.

  Opportunities may also exist with healthcare technology companies, consulting firms, and government agencies. Some employers offer remote or hybrid positions, although availability depends on the role, organization, and professional experience.

  Can I test out of medical terminology content if I have previous knowledge?

  Yes. Students who already have a background in medical terminology may be eligible to complete two optional Medical Terminology Test-Out Exams.

  A score of 80% or higher demonstrates the required level of mastery and allows you to bypass the corresponding course content and graded assessments. Students receiving third-party funding may not qualify for this option and should confirm their eligibility before attempting a test-out exam.

  What happens when I complete the course?

  After successfully completing the course and passing the final exam, you will receive a certificate of completion through CSUSM Extended Learning.

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

  What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.

  Is this program recognized by certifying bodies?

  This course prepares you for three nationally recognized certification options, allowing you to select the credential that aligns with your career interests and professional goals.

  The CPC certification from AAPC focuses on professional medical coding, the CCA credential from AHIMA demonstrates foundational coding competency across healthcare settings, and the CBCS certification from NHA validates knowledge of medical billing and coding procedures.

  Students who select the CPC pathway also receive access to AAPC's Practicode Practicum, which provides hands-on coding practice and can help fulfill experience requirements associated with the CPC-A apprentice designation

  Where can I find additional resources?

  • Salary of medical records specialists in the US
  • Salary of a medical biller in San Diego
  • Certifying body for CPC exam
  • Certifying body for CCA exam
  • Certifying body for CBCS exam

Extended Learning