Trade Schools
If you want to start a career as a medical billing and coding specialist and you’re wondering where to complete your training, this page is perfect for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical records specialists was $46,660 as of May 2021.
This means that half of all workers in this profession earned less than this amount while half earned more.
Depending on education, region of employment, employers, and a variety of other factors, salaries range from less than $30,000 to more than $74,000.
As a medical biller and coder, you will help healthcare facilities manage insurance claims, invoices, and payments.
They must know how to take the provider’s diagnostic and procedural notes and convert them into the correct codes for record and billing purposes.
All these skills can be learned by attending a post-secondary training program.
This page compiles information about the best medical billing and coding schools in Alabama.
1Penn Foster
Penn Foster offers a variety of training programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs.
Recognized certificates, diplomas, and degree programs are available at the school.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program at Penn Foster helps students prepare for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association.
The program leads to a Diploma.
The Medical Billing and Coding curriculum is available online and offers students the option to finish training at their own pace.
The curriculum can be completed in 11 months and helps students gain the training needed to pursue a career in this field by taking courses such as:
- Medical Office Procedures
- Body Systems and Medical Terminology
- Electronic Medical Records
- Basic Medical Coding
- Intermediate Medical Coding
Contact Information
- Address: 14300 N Northsight Blvd., Suite 125, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
- Phone: 800-471-3232
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
2Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute prepares students for careers in Nursing, Healthcare, Dental, Skilled Trades, and more.
The school helps students acquire the skills they need for a new career in demand in today’s job market.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program at Fortis Institute is taught by a dedicated faculty through a balance of traditional classroom and small-group instruction.
The program covers medical terminology, office management, medical coding techniques, and more.
Students are guided through real-world situations that prepare them for working in office and hospital settings.
A Medical Assisting program is available at the Birmingham campus.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 London Parkway, Suite 150 Birmingham, AL 35211
- Phone: (205) 940-7800
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
3Herzing University
About the School
With a history of more than 50 years, Herzing University prepares students for new careers in healthcare and nursing.
The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, Herzing University provides a Diploma in Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist and a Diploma in Medical Coding.
The Diploma in Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist prepares students for several billing and coding certifications from AAPC, AHIMA, and NHA.
The required courses include the following topics:
- Medical Terminology
- Current Procedural Terminology Coding
- Revenue Cycle
- Certification Review
- International Classification of Diseases
- Advanced Coding
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Insurance Claims, Processing, and Adjudication
- Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
- And more
Graduates are ready for the following key certification exams, including:
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist
- Certified Professional Coder
- Certified Coding Specialist
Contact Information
- Address: 280 West Valley Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Phone: (205) 791-5860
- Website: https://www.herzing.edu
4Remington College
About the School
Remington College offers a variety of Diplomas, Associate Degrees, and Associate of Occupational Studies Degree programs.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program is available in Mobile, Alabama, and trains students to code real-life scenarios and produce operative reports.
At the end of the program, students get a chance to participate in an externship opportunity.
The program can be completed in nine months and is available in a hybrid program.
Students use the latest systems and guidelines, including Medisoft, a software program that is commonly used in today’s doctor’s offices and hospitals.
The objective of this program is to prepare students for entry-level positions as insurance billing clerks, medical billers, and collections and billing clerks.
Contact Information
- Address: 4368 Downtowner Loop South, Mobile, AL 36609
- Phone: 800-208-1950
- Website: https://www.remingtoncollege.edu
5Jefferson State Community College
About the School
Jefferson State Community College offers a variety of career programs.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees.
The college may also offer certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program available at Jefferson State Community College prepares students who can define insurance terms and abbreviations and introduces the students to simulation exercises with filing and billing procedures.
The Medical Billing and Coding curriculum covers topics such as:
- Introduction to Surgery and the Integumentary System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Male Genital System
- Urinary System
- Digestive System
- Endocrine System
- Nervous System
- Auditory System
- And more
The curriculum is approved by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Among many other skills, students learn how to:
- Use medical terminology
- Apply International Classification of Diseases coding
- Code accurately procedures
- Apply and interpret Current Procedural Terminology codes
- Interpret coding and documentation guidelines
- Prepare appeals for all underpaid claims
- Inform healthcare providers and their staff of changes in insurance practice policies
- Explain insurance benefits
- Introduction of ICD-10 CM Diagnostic coding
- And many other skills
The course fee is $1,595
Contact Information
- Address: 2601 Carson Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35215
- Phone: 888-453-3378
- Website: https://www.jeffersonstate.edu
6Alabama Billing and Coding Institute
About the School
Alabama Billing and Coding Institute offers courses that are taught by certified and credentialed instructors.
The hybrid programs offered by ABC offer flexible courses at their Huntsville, Alabama location or through a partnership with the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning.
Comprehensive in-class exams that mimic the certification exams are also available.
Courses Offered
The institute offers classes such as:
- NHA Certified Billing and Coding Specialist Exam Course
- AAPC CPC Exam Prep Boot Camp
- AAPC CPC Mock Exam with Rationale
- AAPC Certified Professional Coder Exam Course
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 806 Governors Drive SW Suite 201, Huntsville, AL 35801
- Phone: (256) 210-1200
- Website: https://www.alabamabilling.com
71 on 1 Technical College
1 on 1 Technical College offers a variety of courses.
The courses are available online.
Courses Offered
One of the college’s most popular courses is a Medical Billing and Coding program.
This 11-week program is available on weekday and weekend schedules and prepares students for entry-level positions as billers and/or coders.
Fees for this program sum up to $3,000 and include a $450 registration fee and a $50 enrollment fee.
The course includes 13 lectures and seven quizzes.
The program leads to a Certificate.
Students learn how to translate information from patient records into the standardized codes used to bill patients and third-party payers such as insurance companies and Medicare.
Contact Information
- Address: 601 Beacon Parkway West, Suite 104, Birmingham, Alabama 35209
- Phone: 205.922.6060
- Website: https://1on1techofbham.com
8Jes Educational Training Center
About the School
Jes Educational Training Center offers a wide range of healthcare training programs that prepare future healthcare professionals.
The programs available at the center include Phlebotomist, Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Registered Medical Assistant, Patient Care Tech, and more.
Courses Offered
The center provides a Billing and Coding program that can be completed in eight weeks.
The following formats are available: Mondays & Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Mondays and Wednesdays classes take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. while Saturday classes take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Monday & Wednesday program takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. while the weekend program takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The online Zoom session costs $801 with a $150 deposit.
The programs are available completely online.
Contact Information
- Address: 2629 B East Blvd.Montgomery, AL 36117
- Phone: 334-647-1183
- Website: https://www.jeshealthservices.com
9Trenholm State Community College
Trenholm State Community College offers diverse programs of study available at multiple campuses and online.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing Coding Certification program is an 80-hour billing and coding course that equips students with the skills needed to solve insurance and billing problems.
Courses take place from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Patterson Campus.
Among other skills, students learn how to find the services and codes using manuals.
Those who complete this course could be qualified to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders, the American Health Information Association Certified Coding Associate exam, and other national certification exams.
This 80-hour course costs $1,799.
The program is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Contact Information
- Address: 1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, Alabama 36108
- Phone: 866-753-4544
- Website: https://www.trenholmstate.edu
10Bishop State
About the School
Bishop State Community College provides a variety of academic transfer and career technical education programs.
Among many other career paths, the college provides a Health Information Technology program with the following degree options:
Health Information Technology AAS Degree
Medical Coding Short Certificate
Office Administration AAS Degree
Courses Offered
The Medical Coding Short Certificate program available at Bishop State teaches students how to transform verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures into alphanumeric designations.
The curriculum includes courses on topics such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Diagnostic and Pharmacology
- Hit Classification and Reimbursement
- Health Data Content and Structure
- Medical Coding Systems
- Expanded Medical Coding
- And more
The program includes 26-27 credits.
A Health Information Technology AAS degree program is also available at the college and teaches students how to manage vital medical data.
The program combines general education courses, health information courses, and clinical experiences to teach students how to apply the theory learned in class to real-life situations.
The Health Information Technology program also gives qualifying students the option to earn an Office Administration Associate in Applied Science degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 351 N Broad St, Mobile, AL 36603.
- Phone: (251) 405-7000
- Website: https://www.bishop.edu
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 70 | $34,820 | $16.74 | $53,120 | $21,620 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 50 | $44,310 | $21.3 | $73,520 | $22,360 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 630 | $42,800 | $20.58 | $62,940 | $28,770 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 40 | $40,060 | $19.26 | $53,100 | $28,900 |
| Decatur, AL | 40 | $39,390 | $18.94 | $51,370 | $28,740 |
| Dothan, AL | 110 | $34,710 | $16.69 | $46,860 | $22,570 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 70 | $38,070 | $18.3 | $49,700 | $27,590 |
| Gadsden, AL | 40 | $30,470 | $14.65 | $45,160 | $16,970 |
| Huntsville, AL | 330 | $42,620 | $20.49 | $58,980 | $29,100 |
| Mobile, AL | 210 | $41,970 | $20.18 | $64,100 | $25,370 |
| Montgomery, AL | 180 | $40,280 | $19.36 | $58,360 | $27,990 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 150 | $41,740 | $20.07 | $64,110 | $28,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Medical billers and coders are a liaison between insurers, medical offices, and patients.
If you want to start a career in this field, this page has provided you with information about the schools and programs designed to prepare you for certification exams and employment in a medical office, hospital, or another healthcare setting.
Now that you have read our selection of top medical billing and coding schools in Alabama, the next step is to continue the research and decide where to enroll.
