Get a high school diploma or GED. Look into community colleges offering 2-year associates degrees, or trade schools or vocational schools with certificate programs for educational programs in medical coding. If you want to train at home, you'll find numerous online opportunities for training to become a medical coder, since many people prefer the convenience of studying at home to obtain certification. Make sure the school is properly accredited.
Obtain an associates degree in medical coding or a medical coding certificate. Consider getting additional degrees, as well. More education means better pay, generally--so if you also have a bachelor's degree or a master's, your earning potential may be greater than someone training in medical coding with just an associate's degree.
Stay focused. Learning at home isn't as easy as you'd think, because of all the daily distractions. Think of the home as your classroom . Set aside your own dedicated space where you are free from interruptions while you must study. Let the people who live with you know that you need to stay focused on the program. Make arrangements for someone else to handle the usual chores you might be doing.