Stepful's online program prepares you to become a Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS). After you complete your coursework and pass your certification exam, our team will work with you to find a full-time job.
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Medical billing and coding is the process that keeps healthcare running financially. Every time a patient sees a doctor, gets a test, or fills a prescription, someone has to translate that visit into a standardized record and make sure the provider gets paid.
That's what medical billers and coders do, and it's a skill set that every healthcare organization in the country needs.
The field has two related but distinct functions. Medical coding is the process of converting a patient's diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment into standardized codes. Coders use ICD-10-CM codes for diagnoses, CPT codes for procedures, and HCPCS codes for supplies and non-physician services.
They work from physician notes and Electronic Health Records (EHRs), translating complex medical information into a universal language that insurance payers can process.
Medical billing takes those codes and puts them to work. Billers prepare and submit insurance claims and then track claim status, follow up on denials, and make sure providers receive correct payment.
They're the ones who understand insurance coverage rules, catch errors before they become costly, and keep the revenue cycle moving.
Most entry-level roles combine both functions, especially in smaller practices and outpatient settings. Together, medical billers and coders are the financial backbone of healthcare.
On any given day, a medical biller and coder might review a patient’s Electronic Health Record (EHR), assign the right codes for a procedure, submit a claim to an insurance company, and track down a denial from last week.
It's detail-oriented, analytical work, and most of it can be done from a computer, whether in an office or at home.
Here's a closer look at what each side of the role involves:
Billing responsibilities:
- Reviewing patient records and translating provider notes into billable claims
- Completing and submitting forms to insurance payers
- Verifying patient insurance coverage and eligibility
- Following up on unpaid or denied claims and managing appeals
- Posting payments and reconciling accounts
Coding responsibilities:
- Assigning ICD-10-CM codes for diagnoses and conditions
- Assigning CPT codes for procedures and services performed
- Assigning HCPCS Level II codes for supplies, equipment, and non-physician services
- Applying modifiers to reflect special circumstances
- Ensuring documentation supports the codes assigned
Many entry-level positions combine both billing and coding responsibilities. Professionals in this field work in a wide range of settings, like hospitals, physicians’ offices, insurance companies, specialty clinics, and increasingly from home, as remote work has become standard in this industry.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks this job under the title: Medical Records Specialists.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical records specialists is $50,250, or about $24.16 per hour, with the top 10% earning more than $80,950.
Pay varies by employer type and setting. Hospital and corporate roles tend to pay more than physicians’ offices. Remote work has expanded the employer pool significantly, which often translates to better pay and more options.
Job outlook
There are currently about 194,800 medical records specialists employed across the U.S.
The BLS projects a 7% job growth rate for medical records specialists in the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations (3%). They estimate that there will be approximately 14,200 job openings expected each year.
Many are worried that AI will replace this job. Automated tools are increasingly used to suggest codes and flag potential errors, but they assist trained professionals rather than replacing them.
Compliance, denial management, complex case coding, and audit work all require human judgment. If anything, as automation handles more of the routine work, the value of certified professionals who understand the rules and can catch what software misses goes up, not down.
Accessibility
Medical billing and coding is one of the most accessible entry points into a healthcare career. There's no college degree required, no clinical hours, and no patient-facing work.
You're not starting from scratch in a lab or a hospital. You're learning a professional skill set that can be applied from day one, in a role that's increasingly offered remotely.
Stepful's medical billing and coding program is designed to help you build these skills, earn a nationally recognized certification, and get job-ready, all with the flexibility of an online program.
If you want to stand out to employers as a medical biller and coder, certification is the clearest signal you can send. The National Healthcareer Association reports that 94% of employers require or encourage certification for medical billing and coding specialists.
The three most widely recognized credentials in the field are:
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC) + Certified Professional Biller (CPB) issued by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) issued by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Each has a different focus and level of difficulty.
Stepful has a well-established partnership with the National Healthcareer Association, which issues the Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification. Our program prepares students to earn this credential.
For many healthcare programs, the question of whether online training works is complicated. You need hospital access, clinical equipment, and in-person supervision.
Medical billing and coding is different.
This is already a desk-based, computer-driven career. The tools you use in training—EHR software, coding manuals, claim submission systems—are the same tools you'll use on the job. There's nothing lost by learning remotely, and a lot gained.
For students, the advantages are just as clear. Most people entering this field are career changers, working adults, or parents managing other responsibilities.
An online medical billing and coding course removes the commute, works around your schedule, and opens up a national job market from day one. Because when the job itself is frequently remote, you're not limited to employers in your city.
Many online programs in this field are self-paced and video-based. Stepful is different.
Our medical billing and coding program is 100% online but offers live, instructor-led classes twice a week. You get the flexibility of online learning with the structure and accountability of a real classroom.
Not all medical billing and coding classes cover the same topics, but the best ones share a consistent core set. If you're comparing programs, here's what to look for:
- Medical terminology and anatomy fundamentals
- ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding
- CPT and HCPCS procedure and supply coding
- Health insurance types and coverage rules (Medicare, Medicaid, commercial plans)
- Claim submission and the CMS-1500 form
- Revenue cycle management
- HIPAA compliance and healthcare law
- Denial management and appeals
- Certification exam preparation
- Job search and career readiness support
Live classes, not self-paced video
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