Students must take courses in human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, insurance billing and medical coding. Students learn to correctly apply medical codes and complete commercial, Medicare, Medicaid and workers' compensation insurance claim forms. Medical billing and coding degree programs also require general education requirements for graduation.
Most medical and billing programs include an internship, which students complete at the end of the instructional modules. During an internship, students will work in a clinical setting processing actual claims for commercial insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid.
Students can complete many medical billing and coding diploma programs in nine to 12 months. Associate degree programs that require general education in addition to the core curriculum are typically two years in length.