Medical Insurance Biller & Coder is a Diploma program offered by North-West College in Bakersfield, CA. The program takes 43 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $19,265.
Program Overview
The number of health insurance customers and people using health care services today is greater than ever as the aging population increases and more individuals have access to health insurance programs. As a result, there is a greater need for trained Medical Insurance Billers and Coders to organize and manage health care information data.
Medical Insurance Billers and Coders organize and manage health information data and are responsible for documenting patients’ health information, including medical histories, symptoms, examination and test results, treatments, and other information about health care services provided to patients. Their duties vary by employer and by the size of the facility in which they work.
The Medical Insurance Biller and Coder program at North-West College focuses on teaching the skills and best practices needed to work in a health care or medical office, including medical terminology and basic human anatomy, front office procedures, how to submit medical claims, insurance reimbursement, managed care procedures, computer billing applications and computer medical coding.
Medical Insurance Billers and Coders routinely perform a variety of important tasks, including:
- Scheduling patient appointments.
- Reviewing patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data.
- Organizing and maintaining data for clinical databases and registries.
- Tracking patient outcomes for quality assessment.
- Using classification software to assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis.
- Electronically recording data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting.
- Maintaining confidentiality of patients’ records.
Program objectives. The Medical Insurance Biller and Coder program prepares graduates for entry-level employment as a medical office billing specialist by providing training in the knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to function in the medical front office, hospital, or medical clinic. Students will learn to set up patient records, computerized practice management, and other functions essential to the medical office environment. Students will also learn the basics of medical coding using CPT and ICD-10-CM codes, and preparation and processing of various insurance claims. A graduate of the Medical Insurance Biller and Coder program may be employed as a medical administrative assistant, billing specialist, billing secretary, medical fee clerk, medial record administrator, or a medical record technician. Employment may be found in a variety of places, including corporate offices, medical offices, school administration offices, insurance offices, hospital billing offices, and private employment.
Admission Requirements and Process
North-West College seeks students who are interested in practical career training and who are motivated to succeed in their chosen career fields. Admissions representatives are available at each campus to assist potential students in the admissions process. All courses offered at North-West College are in English.
Applicants who possess a high school diploma or equivalent apply through the standard pathway; applicants who do not hold a high school diploma or equivalent may still apply through the College’s Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) pathways described in the catalog. Non-high school graduates are encouraged to apply.
Applicants who possess a high school diploma or equivalent must complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) assessment during the enrollment process and achieve a required minimum score for the applicable program of study.
In some programs, students will be subject to criminal background checks, physical examination, and drug screening prior to being assigned an externship or clinical site.
Programs offered at North-West College are only offered to residents of the State of California.
General Requirements
- High school diploma, equivalent or ATBYou need a high school diploma or equivalent, or you may apply through the College’s Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) pathway, which requires a minimum score on a U.S. Department of…
- Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)You must complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) assessment during the enrollment process and achieve the required minimum score for this program.
- Admissions interview and tourYou must complete an admissions interview and tour of the College.
- State residencyPrograms are only offered to residents of the State of California; you attest to your physical address on the Enrollment Agreement.
- Registration feeYou must pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date, or make arrangements to pay.
Application Process
- 1Contact AdmissionsReach out to the College by calling 1-888-408-4211, filling out an information form on the website, or emailing admissions@success.edu.
- 2Interview and tour the CollegeSchedule an appointment with an Admissions Representative to complete an admissions interview and tour of the College.
- 3Submit your applicationComplete one of the College’s applications; an Admissions Representative will contact you to set up an appointment and answer any questions you may have.
- 4Provide documents and take the entrance assessmentProvide or request official high school graduation or equivalent documentation and take the standardized basic skills assessment for your program.
- 5Meet with a Financial Aid AdvisorInterview with a Financial Aid Advisor prior to completing the enrollment process.
- 6Complete enrollmentReview the College’s catalog and required disclosures, complete the Enrollment Agreement, and pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date.
Program Schedule
The majority of weekday classes meet Monday through Thursday, while others meet Monday through Friday and/or include weekend classes. Programs scheduled to meet evenings and/or weekends may have a longer program length than the day programs.
Upcoming start dates from the 2026 catalog addendum: 11/2/2026, 11/23/2026. Evening session starts 11/2/2026; morning session starts 11/23/2026. North-West College reserves the right to change or cancel any of these start dates.
- November 23rd, 2026
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program charges.
- Tuition: $19,265
- Books and supplies: $630
- Registration fee (non-refundable): $100
- STRF: $0.00
- Total program charges: $19,995
Books and Supplies consist of Uniforms, Textbooks, Supplies, and Tutoring. Also, Review Courses where License or Certification is required. For Federal Financial Aid purposes, an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks, 900 clock hours, or 24 semester credits.
Cost of attendance. The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses and costs for a typical student to attend a college or university for one academic year. It includes estimated costs you may incur for housing, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. For informational purposes, the average monthly estimated costs for a student who lives off-campus for the 2025-2026 school year is $3,015 per month.
Financial aid. North-West College participates in federal and state financial aid programs. All applicants must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and meet with the Financial Aid Office either by telephone or in person on campus to complete the financial aid process. Programs available to students who qualify include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Federal School Code (FAFSA): 016581.
Payment plans. Students may also choose to make payments towards their tuition and fees directly to the College. North-West College offers a credit extension option, which includes a payment plan without interest where the balance must be paid within 12 months. Students who have limited financial aid assistance may qualify for alternative educational loans through a private lender.
Curriculum
All programs are systematically divided into courses making it easy for the student to enter at multiple times during the year and begin their program of study.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the program routinely find jobs working in:
- Physician’s offices
- Medical clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing care facilities
Careers. Medical Biller, Professional Coder, Medical office professional.
North-West College cannot guarantee employment.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
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