If you’re looking for a new direction in healthcare, medical billing and coding may be worth exploring. These administrative functions connect patient records, standardized medical codes, and insurance claims. The work can appeal to people who enjoy accuracy, organization, and solving problems without providing direct clinical care. [1][3]
Campus offers an online Medical Billing and Coding Specialist certificate program. The 2026–27 Campus Catalog lists 37 quarter credits and an expected length of 8–10 instructional months, or 33–44 instructional weeks. Louisiana applicants should confirm current program availability and admission requirements. Actual completion time may vary with academic progress, attendance, scheduling, transfer credit, and interruptions in enrollment. [1]
The program supports preparation for the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) examination. Completing the academic requirements earns a Campus certificate, not automatic CMRS certification or separate billing and coding certifications. The CMRS credential is awarded through the American Medical Billing Association’s certification process. [1][11]
| Program Detail | Current Catalog Information |
|---|---|
| Credential | Certificate |
| Credits | 37 quarter credits |
| Delivery | Online |
| Expected Length | 8–10 instructional months / 33–44 instructional weeks |
| Certification Preperation | Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) |
| Licensure Listed | None listed in the Campus Catalog |
Source: Campus 2026–27 Catalog, pp. 135–136. [1]
What is Medical Billing and Coding?
Medical coding and medical billing are related but distinct functions. Coding translates documented diagnoses, procedures, services, and supplies into applicable standardized codes. Billing uses those codes and administrative information to prepare claims and follow up on payment. Some organizations combine responsibilities, while others employ separate specialists; not every position requires the same mix of duties. [1][3][4]
The code sets used depend on the care setting, type of service, and applicable reporting rules. They are updated periodically, so professionals need to use current guidance rather than assume that one code or rule applies to every claim. [4][6]
Medical coders review clinical records and assign codes supported by the documentation and applicable coding guidance. Accuracy includes using the supported level of specificity, not guessing at a diagnosis or adding an undocumented service. Missing, conflicting, or unclear documentation may require clarification through the organization’s established process. [3]
Medical billers use coded information and patient, provider, and insurance details to prepare and submit claims. Tasks may include reviewing claims for errors or missing information, attaching required documentation, monitoring claim status, following up on rejected or denied claims, posting payments, and supporting other parts of the revenue cycle. The exact responsibilities vary by employer. [1][11]
Accurate coding helps support claim processing, but a valid code does not guarantee coverage or payment. Patient eligibility, payer requirements, documentation, medical necessity, authorization, and filing deadlines can affect reimbursement. Coding should accurately represent the record rather than be changed simply to obtain a payment. [4]
Because this work involves sensitive patient information, staff must follow applicable privacy and security requirements and their employer’s authorized procedures. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects health information held by covered entities and business associates; students should learn how those responsibilities affect the handling and disclosure of health information. [5]
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Why Do People Become a Medical Coder and Biller?
People may be drawn to medical billing and coding because it combines healthcare knowledge with detailed administrative work. Reviewing records, researching an unfamiliar term, resolving a claim issue, or communicating with a healthcare team can suit someone who enjoys organizing information and working through problems. [1]
Work settings can include hospitals, physicians’ offices, administrative-support organizations, and professional or technical services. Some employers offer remote or hybrid positions, while others require on-site work. Completing an online program does not mean a future job will be remote; location, schedules, experience expectations, and information-security requirements depend on the position. [2]
Training length is another factor to compare. Campus’s published 8–10 instructional-month range describes the educational program, not a promised timeline for employment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry-level education for medical records specialists, although individual employers may accept different education or require additional qualifications or certification. [1][2]
Pay is also worth researching, but it should be considered alongside job duties, required experience, benefits, and local opportunities. The Louisiana and national figures below provide occupational context. They are not starting salaries, estimates of a particular graduate’s earnings, or evidence that completing a program or certification causes a salary increase.
What Do You Need to Learn as a Medical Coder and Biller?
Medical billing and coding education combines healthcare concepts, coding methods, software, and professional practice. Campus’s published curriculum and program outcomes address the following areas. [1]
- Medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
- Reading and maintaining records and recognizing documentation that supports code selection.
- Diagnosis, procedure, service, and supply coding conventions.
- Insurance processing, claim preparation, reimbursement workflows, and front-office procedures.
- Practice-management, electronic health-record, and office software.
- Privacy, confidentiality, and ethical handling of health information.
- Communication, organization, and professional problem-solving.
The code sets below serve different purposes. Learning when each applies is as important as learning how to locate a code. Campus’s program outcomes identify all four systems. [1][4]
ICD-10-CM: The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification is used in the United States to classify diagnoses and medical conditions. CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics maintains the U.S. clinical modification. The World Health Organization owns and publishes the underlying ICD-10 classification. [6]
CPT®: Current Procedural Terminology describes medical services and procedures. The CPT Editorial Panel, appointed by the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees, maintains and updates the code set. [7]
HCPCS Level II: This part of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It identifies products, supplies, and services not included in CPT, such as certain ambulance services and durable medical equipment. Its use is not limited to government insurance programs. [8]
ICD-10-PCS: The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System is maintained by CMS and is used to report procedures performed in U.S. hospital inpatient settings. It is not interchangeable with diagnosis coding or CPT procedure coding. [4]
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. [7]
Job Outlook and Salary
The BLS occupation used here is Medical Records Specialists, SOC 29-2072. It is a broader category that includes medical coding and health-record responsibilities, not a separate category covering every job called “medical biller and coder.” Employer titles and duties do not necessarily map to the category in the same way. [3]
BLS projects national employment in this occupation to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, an increase of approximately 15,600 jobs. It also projects about 14,000 openings per year on average. Net employment growth counts additional jobs over the decade; annual openings also reflect workers moving to other occupations or leaving the labor force. These are national projections, not Louisiana-specific hiring forecasts. [9]
Salary and Wage for Medical Billers and Coders
Using BLS 2025 wage data, O*NET reports a Louisiana median annual wage of $44,610, compared with $51,140 nationally. The corresponding hourly medians are $21.45 and $24.59. Both locations use the same wage year. These are occupational medians, not starting wages or Campus graduate outcomes. [10]
| Measure | Louisiana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $44,610 | $51,140 |
| Median hourly wage | $21.45 | $24.59 |
| Projected Employment Growth (2025–35) | Not shown* | 7.8% (about 8%) |
| Projected Additional Jobs (2025–35) | Not shown* | 15,600 |
| Average Annual Openings (2025–35) | Not shown* | 14,000 |
Sources: O*NET’s BLS 2025 wage data and BLS 2025–35 employment projections. [9][10] *The projection figures shown are national; no Louisiana projection is presented in this table.
The median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. Actual pay varies by employer, duties, experience, credentials, schedule, and location. Projections do not guarantee individual job opportunities. [10]
Pursue Your Medical Billing and Coding Training With Campus
Campus’s online Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program provides focused study in insurance processing, diagnostic and procedural coding, medical documentation, and healthcare front-office work. The curriculum includes medical terminology with anatomy and physiology, medical billing and coding coursework, medical front-office procedures, and career preparation. Students also work with practice-management and electronic health-record systems. [1]
The 37-quarter-credit program has an expected length of 8–10 instructional months, or 33–44 instructional weeks. It supports preparation for the CMRS examination. Under the Catalog, exam vouchers are provided only to students who meet the current Test Pass Assurance (TPA) requirements. Ask the program team about those conditions and any expenses that are not covered. [1]
The American Medical Billing Association, through its Certifying Board, awards CMRS certification. Candidates must meet the provider’s requirements and pass the examination; maintaining the credential involves separate renewal requirements. Campus does not control the provider’s eligibility rules, exam content, scoring, or certification decisions and does not guarantee certification. [11]
Campus is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This describes Campus’s institutional accreditation; it should not be confused with earning a third-party professional credential. [12]
Louisiana program-availability notice: Prospective Louisiana students should confirm the specific program’s current availability, admissions requirements, class schedule, and technology requirements with Campus Admissions. Residence in Louisiana alone does not establish admission eligibility. Review the current Catalog and program disclosures before enrolling. [1]
For information about the curriculum, start dates, and enrollment process, contact Campus Admissions. Direct questions about individual financial aid eligibility to the Financial Aid team at financialaid@campus.edu. [1]
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA® and other applicable requirements. Awards vary based on need, program, enrollment status, prior aid history, available funding, and applicable federal, state, and institutional rules. Campus does not guarantee financial aid eligibility, award amounts, or loan approval.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about medical billing and coding education and related occupations. Campus does not guarantee admission, completion by a particular date, certification, employment, job placement, remote work, salary, or career advancement. Individual outcomes depend on education, experience, employer requirements, certification performance, location, and other circumstances.
The wage and outlook figures describe the broader Medical Records Specialists occupation and are not starting-wage estimates or outcomes for Campus students or graduates. Coding guidance, certification requirements, program information, and availability may change. Review the current Campus Catalog, official sources, and certification-provider requirements before making enrollment or certification decisions.
Sources
3. O*NET OnLine. Medical Records Specialists, 29-2072.00: tasks, knowledge, and skills.
4. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Overview of Coding and Classification Systems.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
6. CDC, National Center for Health Statistics. ICD-10-CM.
7. American Medical Association. CPT billing codes overview.
8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
12. Campus. Accreditation: institutional accreditation and state-authorization disclosure location.