Medical Billing and Coding (MBC)

Medical Billing and Coding specialists are essential administrative professionals who bridge the gap between healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies. They translate medical diagnoses, procedures, and clinical notes into standardized alphanumeric codes required for medical billing, claims reimbursement, and healthcare data tracking.

Through comprehensive instruction in medical terminology, anatomy, official coding guidelines, and practice management software, Pima Medical Institute’s Medical Billing and Coding program equips you with the technical precision needed in modern health information management.

Program objective. This certificate program will provide you with the training and skills necessary to work as an effective and accurate medical billing and coding professional, a vital role within a medical team. At Pima Medical Institute, the objective of this program is to develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level medical biller and coder through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and externship experiences. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are medical terminology, medical insurance, billing and reimbursement methodology, patient records, principles of diagnostic and procedural coding, claims management, and other topics necessary to be effective members of the medical billing and coding team. Graduates of this program receive a certificate. The courses within the program are acceptable for credit toward PMI’s Health Care Administration Associate of Applied Science Degree Program.

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Billing: Insurance fundamentals, principles of insurance, billing and reimbursement methods and claims management
• Coding: Clinical diagnostic medical coding, hospital diagnostic medical coding and procedural medical coding (CPT/ICD)
• Technology: Electronic health records, medical terminology and patient records
• Administrative: Medical office management, professional documentation and administrative applications
• Compliance: Medical law and ethics and certification review
• Foundational: Anatomy, physiology & terminology, computer basics, math fundamentals, study skills and CPR & first aid

Continuing your education. At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online associate degree in Health Care Administration , an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership . Get the skills needed to move up within the healthcare industry, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for non-degree programs are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 14. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 9 Months (approximate); Lab hours: 290; Class hours: 400; Externship hours: 160. Hybrid education options not available at all campuses.

East Valley campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 38.5 semester credits and 850 clock hours over 36 weeks, including 4.5 externship credits (160 hours).

Hybrid learning options. All courses are taught on campus to ensure you get the hands-on clinical experience this program requires. For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses, combining in-person instruction two days a week with online learning three days a week. Externship hours are completed fully in person.

• Certification: This program prepares graduates to apply to sit for National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exams — CEHRS, CMAA and CBCS — or American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) credentials — CPC and CPB. Pima Medical Institute serves as a proctor site for NHA exams.*
• Find out more: Entry-level roles
• Career advancement: Billing and coding supervisor, health information manager, compliance auditor, coding educator

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Medical Billing and Coding certificate program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:

• Medical Billing Specialist
• Medical Coder
• Health Information Technician
• Insurance Claims Specialist

Medical billers and coders can work in a variety of environments, including hospitals and medical health systems, outpatient medical centers and specialty clinics, physician practices and group clinics, health insurance companies and billing services agencies and remote / work-from-home employment settings.

Job outlook. 7% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow much faster than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $50,250 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Records Specialists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm (visited June 07, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.