Medical Coding and Billing Specialist

U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online medical billing & coding program will prepare you for certification (CBCS) and a role as a medical biller & coder in as little as 5 months.

The Medical Coding and Billing Program provides practical instruction on researching and assigning diagnostic and procedural codes to medical records, as well as processing medical bills. To bill effectively, students explore the insurance world, including both private and government programs. They also learn how insurance companies interact with medical-service providers through forms, follow-up letters and claims processing. Students gain competency in ICD-10-CM and CPT coding procedures. The program provides students with a solid foundation of ethics and problem-solving, medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology and common disease processes. Students apply their knowledge using real-world scenarios and medical records. Students examine how to work with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers to ensure they receive fair and accurate compensation for their services. U.S. Career Institute’s affordable program will teach you everything you need to know through practical instruction on researching and assigning diagnostics and procedural codes to medical records, as well as processing medical bills, and includes overviews of common claim forms, medical terminology, and ethical issues for healthcare professionals. Our course teaches students how to comprehend, navigate, and apply current CPT and ICD-10-CM code sets in a variety of healthcare settings. Discover the formats, coding rules and how to determine when to use HCPCS codes. The lesson provides a hands-on opportunity to code from the HCPCS coding manual. Graduates of our course will be trained in the theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare them to gain entry-level medical coding and billing positions in a variety of medical settings, such as physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers and billing services, or even your own home.

• 5-day money-back commitment
• DEAC Accredited
• 100% online, self-paced classes, on your phone or computer
• Proven Results: 82% CBCS Pass Rate vs. 73% National Average
• Complete in 5-12 months, part-time
• One-on-one career coaching and instructor support
• Start learning today - no waiting period!
• A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
• The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

Lead instructor/course expert. Cindy Bracy earned her Master of Public Health Informatics (MPH) degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cindy holds a certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). She has over 15 years of experience as a medical coder and has worked as a practice management specialist before becoming an instructor for health information management.

To qualify for enrollment in the program, an applicant must:

• Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
• Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
• Be at least 16 years of age.

U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.

The Medical Coding and Billing Specialist program is 772 clock hours, delivered in 39 lessons with 39 quizzes. Students can complete it in 5-12 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.

The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.

U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your medical coding and billing education affordable. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!

• Option 1, pay in full: $1,869 (save $400); the application charge is waived.
• Option 2, monthly auto payments: $2,269 in total at $79 a month, with a first payment of $79, plus a one-time $29 application charge.

First payment includes $50 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.

5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.

Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.

All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.

Upon graduation from our program, you will receive your U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion attesting to your accomplishment. U.S. Career Institute's medical coding and billing program will prepare you to take a professional certification exam of your choosing. Included with our course, we cover the cost of your CPC-A certification exam or your CBCS certification exam, study guide and practice test – up to a $425 value!

Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Requirements: Successful completion of a medical billing and coding program within the last 5 years, HS Diploma or GED and exam fees.
• Recommended: USCI encourages our graduates to purchase the NHA test prep materials prior to taking the exam.
• USCI Recommended: Yes
• Your CBCS exam fees, study guide and practice test are included in your tuition-up to a $425 value.

Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A®) exam

• American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• Requirements: AAPC Membership and exam fees.
• Recommended: A certificate or transcript showing 80 hours or more of education can be used to fulfill one of the two years required to remove the Apprentice (“A”) status from the certification and become a CPC. After a year of verifiable coding work experience, the grad can apply to have the “A” dropped by submitting a letter, on letterhead, signed from your employer verifying one year of on-the-job experience.
• USCI Recommended: Yes
• Your CPC-A exam fees are included in your tuition-up to a $425 value.

The average CBCS Certification pass rate for U.S. Career Institute graduate’s is 82% vs. the national average of 73%.

Job growth for medical coding and billing is over 2x greater than all other jobs by 2034.

People transition into a medical coding and billing job because it offers a comfortable wage, good hours and benefits, work from home options, a sense of fulfillment, reliability, job security, and it’s a growing field.

Start an exciting and satisfying career working with doctors and other professionals in the medical field and become a vital part of the medical team.

The certification process is straightforward, and no prior experience is required to become a medical coder and biller.

Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.

Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.

Hands-On Supplemental Learning. You'll receive the ICD-10-CM Coding Manual, the CPT Coding Manual and the HCPCS Coding Manual.

Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).

Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.

Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.

Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.