Top 8 Free Medical Billing & Coding Courses Online
Medical billing and coding is a thriving field with high demand for skilled professionals. If you're looking to break into this industry without breaking the bank, free online courses are a great way to start your journey. Whether you want to get certified or simply explore the basics, these free courses offer a convenient, low-cost way to learn and improve your skills.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the best free medical billing and coding courses available online, and share tips on how to apply for them. Let's dive into how you can jumpstart your career in medical billing and coding without spending a dime!
Why Get Certified in Medical Billing & Coding?
Career Opportunities: A certification in medical billing and coding opens doors to a variety of job roles, from medical biller and coder to health information technician and claims analyst. Many employers prefer or even require certification, which increases your chances of getting hired in the competitive healthcare industry.
Higher Earning Potential: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $46,660 in 2022. Certified professionals often earn higher salaries, and those with experience in specialized coding areas can earn significantly more. Certification makes you more attractive to employers and allows you to negotiate higher pay.
Job Stability: The healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing industries, and as medical records and healthcare data become more complex, the demand for skilled medical coders and billers will only continue to grow. A certification ensures that you’re ready to meet this demand and secure a stable job.
Best Free Medical Billing & Coding Courses Online
Here’s a list of the top 8 free online medical billing and coding courses that can help you earn your certification, gain hands-on experience, and increase your marketability in the healthcare industry.
☑ 1. Alison - Diploma in Medical Terminology
Duration: 10-15 hours
Certification: Free (with paid certificate option)
Key Features: This course is designed to give you a solid foundation in medical terminology, which is essential for both billing and coding. You'll learn medical terms related to the human body, diseases, and treatments, which will help you better understand the documents you’ll be working with as a medical biller or coder.
How It Helps: Understanding medical terminology is crucial for accurately coding procedures and diagnoses, a key part of medical billing and coding. Completing this course can give you a head start before diving into more advanced coding programs.
☑ 2. Coursera - Health Informatics: The Cutting Edge
Duration: 4 hours
Certification: Free (with paid certificate option)
Key Features: Coursera offers this free course from the University of California, Davis, which dives into the world of health informatics. The course covers how data is used in healthcare, which is essential for understanding the role of billing and coding in the broader healthcare system.
How It Helps: A strong grasp of health informatics can help medical billers and coders manage patient data more efficiently and understand how billing fits into the larger context of healthcare systems. This knowledge can also open doors to more advanced roles in healthcare administration.
☑ 3. edX - Introduction to Health and Medical Coding
Duration: 4 weeks (self-paced)
Certification: Free (with paid certificate option)
Key Features: Offered by Doane University, this course provides an introduction to coding for healthcare providers. You'll cover the basics of CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding systems—fundamental skills for any coder.
How It Helps: This is a great starter course if you're looking to understand the nuts and bolts of medical coding. A solid foundation in coding systems is essential for a successful career in billing and coding.
☑ 4. FutureLearn - Understanding the Basics of Health Insurance
Duration: 3 hours
Certification: Free (with paid certificate option)
Key Features: This free course by Coventry University helps you understand health insurance and how it intersects with medical billing and coding. You’ll learn how medical billing processes affect patient reimbursement.
How It Helps: Understanding the insurance side of medical billing helps you navigate the complexities of claim submissions, payment processing, and insurance reimbursement. This knowledge is particularly useful if you’re interested in billing for insurance companies or hospitals.
☑ 5. AAPC - Free Resources and Sample Courses
Duration: Varies
Certification: Free (with paid certification options)
Key Features: AAPC is one of the leading authorities on medical coding and billing certifications. While their full certification courses are not free, they offer various free sample courses and resources to help you get started. These include webinars, videos, and practice exams.
How It Helps: AAPC's free resources are great for getting a feel for what their full certification courses entail. If you’re serious about certification, you can use these free courses as a foundation before investing in more advanced programs.
☑ 6. Medical Coding Academy - Free Medical Coding Introduction
Duration: 2 hours
Certification: Free (with paid certificate option)
Key Features: This introductory course covers the basics of medical coding, from understanding the role of a medical coder to an introduction to the major coding systems used in the industry.
How It Helps: This free course is perfect for those who want to get a taste of medical coding before committing to a full program. It’s a great starting point for anyone new to the field.
☑ 7. Udemy - Medical Billing and Coding - Introduction (Free Course)
Duration: 1 hour
Certification: Free
Key Features: Udemy offers a free introductory course to medical billing and coding that covers essential terms and concepts. While it’s brief, it provides an overview of the coding and billing process, including an introduction to ICD-10 codes and CPT codes.
How It Helps: Ideal for those just dipping their toes into the world of billing and coding. This quick overview will give you insight into the terminology and processes that you'll need to build on in more advanced courses.
☑ 8. OpenLearn - Introduction to the Role of a Medical Coder
Duration: 10 hours
Certification: Free
Key Features: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the role of a medical coder, including the various coding systems used in the U.S. healthcare system.
How It Helps: For those interested in coding specifically, this course offers a solid introduction to the profession and will help you decide if it’s the right career path for you.
How to Apply for These Free Medical Billing & Coding Courses
Visit the Course Platform: Most of these courses are hosted on popular platforms like Coursera, edX, Alison, and Udemy. Simply visit their websites and search for the course by name.
• Sign Up for an Account: Before enrolling, you’ll need to create a free account with the platform. Signing up only takes a few minutes, and you'll be able to track your progress as you complete the course.
• Select the Free Option: Many of these platforms offer both free courses and paid certification options. Be sure to choose the free version of the course. If you're only interested in learning, you can access the materials at no cost. If you want a certificate, there may be a fee.
• Start Learning: Once you’ve enrolled, you can start taking the course at your own pace. Enjoy the flexibility of learning from home and on your own schedule.
Conclusion
Earning a medical billing and coding certification can open up numerous career opportunities, increase your earning potential, and offer job stability in the growing healthcare industry. By taking advantage of these free online medical billing and coding courses, you can get started on your journey to certification without spending a penny.
Whether you're looking to break into a new career or add valuable skills to your current job, these free courses are a fantastic first step. Don’t let the cost of education hold you back—take advantage of these resources and start building the skills that will set you up for success in medical billing and coding!