Are you wondering if pursuing medical billing and coding is hard? You’re not alone.
If you’re planning to pursue a career in medical billing and coding, you might have doubts about how difficult it can be.
In this article, we’ll explore the real challenges of this field and also share a better approach that could potentially help make your journey toward this career a lot easier.
Let’s get started.
Why Medical Coding is Hard
To become a medical coder, you first need formal education. With the right training program, you can learn about medical coding. However, a lot of people feel that the training would be too hard.
Here’s the truth: Medical billing and coding education actually isn’t hard.
In fact, completing your medical billing and coding education can be easy, anyone can learn it, even without prior healthcare experience. The real challenge isn’t the subject matter—it’s how you approach your education.
Most people find medical billing and coding hard because they tend to choose traditional on-campus college programs.
These programs generally create unnecessary obstacles that can make your career journey much more complicated than it needs to be.
Let’s break down the setbacks of traditional medical billing and coding education:
1. Long Time Commitment
Traditional on-campus programs typically require a minimum of two full years of study.
Imagine spending 24 months driving to campus multiple times a week
For busy adults and working professionals, this time commitment can be a massive roadblock.
2. High Tuition Costs
On-campus programs are highly expensive. Most medical billing and coding degrees cost between $10,000 and $20,000 excluding additional expenses.
When you factor in textbooks, supplies, and living expenses, you could be looking at a total investment of $30,000 or more. That’s a significant financial burden that can result in you having to take some sort of loan or debt.
3. Irrelevant Coursework
These programs often include additional general education classes. You’ll spend hours learning subjects that won’t directly contribute to your core career skills, wasting both time and money.
4. Lack of Flexibility
Strict class schedules make it nearly impossible for working professionals to attend. Miss a class, and you might have to wait weeks or even months to retake it.
This rigidity creates additional stress and complications for students trying to balance work, life, and education.
5. Commuting Hassles
Students spend countless hours traveling to and from campus, adding another layer of complexity to their educational journey.
This time could be better spent actually learning or focusing on your career goals.
The good news?
There’s a better way to become a medical billing and coding professional—one that doesn’t involve these traditional roadblocks.
And that is through online, self-paced training programs.
Online medical billing and coding training programs are a one-stop solution to all of the problems we just highlighted.
We also have one such self-paced and online training program that helps you get that medical billing and coding education in an easier way.
How Preppy Helps You Solve These Problems
All of the problems that we highlighted in the previous section could make your journey into medical billing and coding hard.
We have a better approach that could potentially help you get your medical billing and coding education a lot easier, faster, and more affordable.
Let us introduce you to:
Preppy’s Online Medical Billing and Coding Program
Preppy’s program helps you solve all of the problems you might face with traditional programs and helps you start toward medical coding faster
Here is why we love Preppy:
100% Online and Self-Paced Classes
Tired of impossible class schedules? Preppy’s 100% online program lets you learn on your own time and schedule.
The best part is: you could complete your education in as little as six months, and you’ll have full access to the course for an entire year.
Working a job? Taking care of the family? Juggling multiple responsibilities? No problem. Our program lets you learn on a schedule that works best for you, even from the comfort of your home.
Also with Preppy, you’re not stuck driving to campus or sitting through lectures that don’t fit your schedule. You can study from home, during your lunch break, or whenever works best for you.
Learn at your own pace, review materials as many times as you need, and progress when you’re ready.
Also See: Medical Billing and Coding Classes Online
CPC Certification Ready
Preppy doesn’t just help you with your medical billing and coding education—it also prepares you to become certified.
Obtaining certification is an essential aspect of becoming a medical biller and coder. Employers typically value certified candidates, and certification also opens you up for better pay once you enter the workforce.
There are many recognized certifications for medical coders and billers, however, the most common entry-level certification you can go for is the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential offered by the AAPC.
With Preppy’s program, you’re ready for the CPC certification exam.
Learn more: Medical Coding Certification
Real-World Experience with Externship Opportunity
Gaining some sort of practical experience is another important aspect of becoming a medical biller and coder.
This is because once you finish your medical billing and coding training, practical experience in a real-world setting will help you become job-ready and face the daily responsibilities of a medical biller and coder.
Employers also highly prefer candidates with practical experience. You can gain this experience in the form of externship opportunities. That’s why Preppy, with Preppy, you’re eligible for an externship opportunity
With this, you could gain hands-on experience after you finish the program
Read: Medical Billing and Coding Training
University Certificate From an Accredited University
Preppy also delivers credibility in the form of a Certificate of Completion from a prestigious, non-profit, and accredited university, once you finish our program- without spending two years in a classroom.
This university certificate isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a powerful credential that’s typically considered best for your resume and gives you a serious advantage in the job market.
Affordable Tuition & Faster Course Completion
As we highlighted earlier, traditional on-campus medical billing and coding programs can cost up to $20,000, excluding the additional expenses.
Preppy offers a comprehensive program for just $1,599, which won’t make you break the bank. You could also complete your training in 4-6 months, not years.
See: How You Could Get a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate in 4 Months
Bonus: Free Laptop
Pay in full during enrollment, and we’ll give you a free laptop. It’s our way of making sure you have the tools you need to succeed.
And yes, it’s yours to keep even after you finish the program.
Ready to take the first step toward your future in medical billing and coding? Learn more about Preppy’s program here.
Medical Billing and Coding FAQs
What is the hardest part of medical billing and coding?
Contrary to what many might believe, medical billing and coding itself isn’t hard.
The real challenge is finding the right educational program. Many students may struggle with traditional on-campus programs that are time-consuming, expensive, and inflexible.
The difficulty isn’t in learning the skills, but in finding the right program that works for you and makes your journey easier.
With the right approach—like a flexible, online program such as Preppy’s—medical billing and coding is an accessible and achievable career path.
Is there a lot of math involved in medical billing and coding?
No, medical billing and coding typically doesn’t require advanced mathematical skills. While you’ll work with numbers, the math is straightforward and basic.
You’ll primarily use simple arithmetic for tasks like calculating medical charges, understanding billing codes, and processing insurance claims.
If you’re comfortable with basic math and can use a calculator, you’ll have no problem with the numerical aspects of this career.
Is the medical billing and coding exam hard?
The CPC exam can be challenging, but it’s definitely easy to clear with proper preparation. The key is choosing a program that thoroughly prepares you for the exam.
Preppy’s program, for instance, covers the 80 contact hours required by AAPC and provides comprehensive exam preparation. With dedicated study and the right training, you could successfully pass the CPC certification exam on your first attempt.
Is medical billing and coding a difficult career?
Medical billing and coding is a career that requires attention to detail and continuous learning, but it’s not inherently difficult.
The job involves accurate medical coding, understanding healthcare regulations, and maintaining precise records. With proper education and training and the right mindset, most people find it manageable and even easy.
Do I need prior healthcare experience to become a medical biller and coder?
No prior healthcare experience is necessary for this career. A good training program will teach you everything you need to know from the ground up. Many successful medical billers and coders come from completely different professional backgrounds and successfully transition into this career.
Read More:
- 4 Week Online Course For Medical Coding and Billing
- How Much Does a Medical Coder Make?
- What Does a Medical Coder Do?
- How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Coder?
