Medical Coding

Medical coding and billing professionals manage the transformation of healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes. Medical coders play a vital role in the connection between healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies.

The program prepares graduates for entry-level positions focused in any setting in which healthcare is delivered. While there is a greater emphasis on medical billing and coding, the general education and office and business components provide the graduate with greater career flexibility.

The East Ohio College Online Medical Coding program cross-trains students to perform a variety of billing and coding responsibilities, including CPT/HCPCS and ICD-10-CM coding, medical insurance and coding, health information management, electronic health records, advanced coding/classification, quality management, billing and medical terminology.

Certification. The Institution will pay for the cost of two attempts to sit for an American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A) exam. The educational journey culminates with an externship that the college assists you with arranging.

Stay home and go to college while balancing family, work, and school. East Ohio College focuses on the student first to ensure your academic experience helps you achieve your goals. This is achieved through the following services and online campus features:

• Small School Atmosphere
• Convenience
• 24/7 Tech Support
• Mobile Access to Classes
• Interactive Labs
• Externships
• Career Services
• Institutional Grants (for those who qualify)
• Financial Aid (for those who qualify)

Applicants are admitted on the basis of a high school diploma, High School Equivalency or other recognized evidence of secondary education completion, plus the required technology and computer skills for online courses. Specific programs may have additional admissions requirements. Acceptance of applicants is also subject to minimum and maximum class size and academic scheduling requirements.

East Ohio College measures its non-Nursing coursework in standard quarters of 10 to 12 weeks; a new quarter begins approximately every six weeks. While individual courses are normally scheduled during the day Monday through Thursday for students in day programs, some courses may be scheduled in the evenings Monday through Thursday or any time on Friday or Saturday. Externships may be scheduled on any day and any shift as required by the learning site.

Most activities in the online courses are asynchronous so that students can log in and participate whenever their schedule allows within the time frame set by the instructor. The institution provides orientation before the first day of class to acclimate students to the distance education methodology and technology.

Start dates. Upcoming quarter start dates on the official school calendar are November 9, 2026; January 4, February 15, April 5, May 17, June 28, August 16, September 27 and November 8, 2027.

Tuition (2026-2027 catalog). Tuition is charged per quarter term: full-time (12 or more credits) $3,995.00; ¾ time (9–11) $3,395.00; ½ time (6–8) $2,795.00; less than ½ time (1–5) $1,895.00. An Education Resource Fee of $495.00 applies each term. Students are charged tuition and fees for each term in which they attend class and/or participate in externships.

Fees. All students are assessed a one-time $25 application fee for admittance into the institution; it is waived for Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and Veterans (honorably discharged) and their spouse/domestic partner or dependents.

Cost of Attendance, 2026/2027 award year (one academic year, full-time). Tuition and fees $13,470; supplies & equipment $429; living expenses $9,586 (off-campus not living with parent) or $3,903 (living with parent); miscellaneous/personal $3,634 or $3,004; transportation $1,924 or $1,590; loan fees $64. Total cost of attendance $29,107 (not living with parent) or $22,460 (living with parent).

Financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Types of aid the catalog lists include the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, the West Virginia Higher Education Grant, institutional scholarships and grants, tuition assistance, benefits, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct PLUS (Parent) Loans, private loans and institutional loans. Veterans may use the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program. Enter the Federal School Code on the FAFSA: East Ohio College 016261.

Payment plans. To reduce student loan debt, the institution allows students to make monthly payments which are applied as a credit against tuition and other fee charges; each student's payment will vary according to his or her situation.

Books and supplies. The institution includes the cost of e-book/textbook use and program-specific supplies in tuition and fees; students may opt out in writing at least 4 business days before the term. Students also have indirect costs (living expenses, supplies, transportation, personal and miscellaneous costs) that are not included in tuition and fees.

Net price calculator. East Ohio College publishes a net price calculator at eastohio.edu.

Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings including clinics, insurance companies, hospitals, home health services, wellness centers, and doctors’ offices; employment opportunities may also exist outside of the medical field. Some career paths may require additional training and/or experience.

Student outcomes. As reported to ABHES for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, the placement rate for Medical Coding (Associate Degree) was 0% and the retention rate was 100%.

Students are required to sit for the Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A) exam; the Institution's most recent pass rate (2024-2025 academic year) on this exam is 50%.