Medical billing and coding supports the administrative and information side of healthcare. Professionals in these roles help organize patient information, translate documented diagnoses and services into standardized codes, and support claims and reimbursement processes. The work requires accuracy, discretion, and familiarity with coding, documentation, and payer requirements.[1]
Some positions may be on-site, hybrid, or remote. Work arrangement, hiring standards, and job availability vary by employer and location. An education program cannot guarantee remote employment, a particular salary, certification, or job placement.
Campus’s current catalog describes an online Medical Billing and Coding Specialist certificate designed to build skills in medical terminology, coding, billing, electronic records, and medical office procedures. The catalog lists 37 quarter credits and an expected instructional length of 33 to 44 weeks, or approximately 8 to 10 instructional months. Program availability is state-specific, and Pennsylvania residents should confirm current availability before applying.[2]
What Is Medical Billing and Coding?
Medical billing and coding are related but distinct functions within healthcare administration. Depending on the employer, one person may perform both functions or the work may be divided among coding, billing, records, and revenue-cycle teams.
Medical coding. Coders review clinical documentation and assign standardized diagnosis, procedure, service, and supply codes that are supported by the record. Accurate coding helps maintain usable health records and supports claims, reporting, and data analysis. When documentation is incomplete or unclear, coders may need to seek clarification rather than assume facts that are not documented.
Medical billing. Billers use coded and administrative information to prepare and submit claims, review claim edits, monitor claim status, correct rejected claims, and follow payer requirements. Claims may be “scrubbed” before submission to identify missing, inconsistent, or potentially incorrect information. Duties vary by employer and may also include payment posting, patient-account support, or coordination with providers and insurers.
Both functions depend on careful review, privacy safeguards, ethical judgment, and attention to changing rules. A code does not by itself guarantee that a payer will cover or reimburse a service; coverage and payment decisions are made under the applicable plan and payer policies.
Why Do People Choose Medical Billing and Coding?
Medical billing and coding can appeal to people who prefer detailed, computer-based work and want to contribute to healthcare without providing direct patient care. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes medical records specialists as workers who review records, assign clinical codes, support insurance reimbursement, maintain data, and protect confidentiality. Common employers include hospitals, physicians’ offices, administrative-support organizations, and professional or technical services firms.[1]
The field can require ongoing learning. Coding systems and guidance are updated, payer policies differ, and employers may use different electronic health record and billing platforms. Strong candidates typically build skills in medical terminology, documentation review, accuracy, communication, privacy, and problem solving.
Employer expectations also vary. Some positions may accept a postsecondary certificate, while others may prefer an associate degree, previous healthcare experience, or a professional certification. Certification may be required or preferred for some roles, but completing a school program does not itself award an external professional certification or guarantee that a graduate will be hired.[1]
What Do You Learn as a Medical Coder and Biller?
Training in medical billing and coding commonly includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health records, insurance and reimbursement processes, claims workflow, privacy and compliance, electronic health records, practice-management software, and standardized coding systems. Students also need practice selecting codes from documentation and recognizing when additional information is needed.
Important code sets include:
ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification): used in the United States to code and classify diagnoses and medical conditions. ICD-10-CM is based on the World Health Organization’s ICD-10; the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics is responsible for the U.S. clinical modification and maintains the code set.[3]
CPT® (Current Procedural Terminology): a code set developed and maintained by the American Medical Association to describe medical services and procedures performed by physicians and other qualified healthcare professionals.[4]
HCPCS Level II (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System): a CMS-maintained coding system used primarily for products, supplies, and services that are not included in CPT®, such as certain ambulance services and durable medical equipment.[5]
ICD-10-PCS (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System): used for reporting procedures performed in U.S. hospital inpatient settings and maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.[6]
Because code sets and guidance change, students and working professionals should use the edition and effective date that apply to the service being coded and continue updating their knowledge throughout their careers.
Job Outlook and Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate national occupation titled “medical billers and coders.” The closest widely used benchmark is Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072), a broader occupation that includes coding, health-record, and related reimbursement duties. BLS data therefore should not be presented as a guaranteed wage for a medical billing and coding graduate.[1]
BLS projects employment for medical records specialists to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 14,200 openings per year on average over the decade. Those openings include both newly created positions and positions available because workers leave the occupation.[1]
May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Medical Records Specialists provide the following Pennsylvania and national estimates:
| Measure | Pennsylvania (2025) | United States (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated employment | 6,970 | 194,720 |
| Median hourly wage | $22.52 | $24.59 |
| Median annual wage | $46,840 | $51,140 |
| Mean hourly wage | $25.51 | $27.30 |
| Mean annual wage | $53,050 | $56,790 |
Source note: The figures are May 2025 BLS OEWS estimates for the broader Medical Records Specialists occupation. They are not starting-wage estimates, promises of individual earnings, or outcomes specific to Campus students or graduates. Actual pay varies by job duties, employer, experience, education, credentials, work schedule, and location.[7]
Learn About Campus’s Online Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Program
Campus’s 2026-27 catalog identifies the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program as an online, 37-quarter-credit certificate with an expected length of 33 to 44 instructional weeks, or approximately 8 to 10 instructional months. The curriculum includes medical billing and coding, medical terminology with anatomy and physiology, medical front-office procedures, career preparation, college success, and math for business.[2]
The program supports preparation for the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) certification exam. Program completion does not itself confer CMRS certification. Candidates must meet the certification provider’s current requirements and pass the applicable exam. The catalog states that exam vouchers are provided only to students who meet the requirements of Campus’s Test Pass Assurance program. Completion time can vary based on attendance, academic progress, scheduling, leaves, transfer credit, and other individual circumstances.[2][8]
Pennsylvania program-availability notice
Program availability can vary by state and is subject to applicable authorization requirements. Pennsylvania residents should contact Admissions before applying to confirm that this specific online certificate is currently available in their location. Availability and admission are not automatic, and applicants must meet current institutional, program, and online-learning requirements.
Prospective students may contact Campus Admissions for current information about program availability, start dates, curriculum, tuition, admissions requirements, and financial aid options. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA® and other requirements, and awards vary based on need, program, enrollment status, and available funding. Campus does not guarantee aid or loan approval, certification, employment, salary, or job placement.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about healthcare education, occupations, and training pathways. Occupational data describe the labor market as a whole and are not limited to Campus graduates. Career opportunities, work arrangements, earnings, certification requirements, and employer expectations vary. Completion of a Campus program does not guarantee employment, remote work, certification, salary, job placement, or advancement. Program availability is subject to current state authorization, institutional approval, admissions requirements, and change. Readers should consult the current Campus Catalog and the applicable state, federal, employer, and certification authorities before making enrollment or career decisions.
Sources
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Records Specialists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated August 28, 2025; accessed July 20, 2026
2. Campus, College Catalog, 2026-27, Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program and admissions requirements, pp. 27 and 135-136
3. CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, ICD-10-CM, updated July 2, 2026; accessed July 20, 2026
4. American Medical Association, CPT® Code Set Overview, updated January 23, 2026; accessed July 20, 2026
5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), updated April 17, 2026; accessed July 20, 2026
6. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Overview of Coding and Classification Systems, updated March 10, 2026; accessed July 20, 2026
7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Tables, released May 15, 2026; accessed July 20, 2026
8. American Medical Billing Association, Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) Certification, accessed July 20, 2026
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
Online Medical Billing and Coding Program for Pennsylvania Students