Trade Schools
If you want to start a healthcare career in a position that doesn’t involve direct patient care, the medical biller and coder profession is worth exploring.
This profession is a good fit for those who have customer service skills, are detail-oriented, and have strong communication skills.
As a medical biller and coder, you will help healthcare facilities manage insurance claims, invoices, and payments.
You will need to learn how to take the provider’s diagnostic and procedural notes and convert them into the correct codes for record and billing purposes.
All these skills can be achieved by attending a post-secondary training program.
Although there are no formal educational requirements for medical billers and coders, earning a certificate or diploma can make it easier for you to find a job in the field.
This page compiles information about the best medical billing and coding schools in North Carolina.
1North Carolina Central University
About the School
North Carolina Central University offers bachelor’s degrees in nearly 100 fields of study as well as certificate courses and graduate programs.
The university also provides a robust distance education program in seven undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Courses Offered
The Online Medical Billing and Coding program prepares students for careers for a career in this occupation and the certification that best aligns with their interests and career goals.
Students learn how to use the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System and the CPT Category II and ICD-10 codes.
Learners also gain hands-on practice with medical billing and coding software.
After completing the course, graduates receive a voucher for the certification exam of their choice: CPC, CCA, or CBCS.
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
- Managed Healthcare
- Revenue Cycle Management
- ICD-10-CM Coding
- CPT Coding
- HCPCS Level II Coding
- ICD-10-PCS Coding
- Pharmacology for Coders
- Insurance Claims
- Commercial Insurance
- And more
The course is available fully online.
Students may start anytime.
Contact Information
- Address: 1801 Fayetteville St. Durham, NC 27707
- Phone: (919) 530-6100
- Website: https://www.nccu.edu
2Wake Tech
About the School
Wake Tech offers a Healthcare Billing and Coding program that prepares students for positions that do not involve direct patient care.
Students should register for each of the program’s three classes separately:
- Medical Terminology
- Healthcare Billing
- Healthcare Coding
The program includes 376 hours and is available online.
All hours can be completed via Moodle.
Assignments and learning materials are available for students to complete from their computers at their own pace.
There are no scheduled meeting times for classes.
Students must pass Medical Terminology before Healthcare Billing and Healthcare Coding.
An optional review course that prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder Exam is also available to prepare students for the exam administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders.
The program can be completed in 12 months or less.
Contact Information
- Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 (Mailing Address)
- Phone: 919-866-5420
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu
3Piedmont Community College
About the School
Piedmont Community College is a public two-year institution that operates under the direction of a local Board of Trustees and a dedicated leadership team.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The college offers a Medical Coding & Billing Part I & II online program.
The program teaches students how to use a special coding system to facilitate procedures, label diagnoses, and process insurance claims.
This online course is delivered via Blackboard in two separate courses.
The course is offered through Continuing Education as a short-term training course and consists of two sections, Part I and Part II.
After the completion of Part I, students will move forward and register for Part II.
After the completion of both sections, students may register for the National Board exam to earn their credentials.
Students need:
- To be a high school or high school equivalent graduate
- Computer skills
- Current or previous work history in the medical field is suggested, but not required
Contact Information
- Address: 1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC 27574
- Phone: (336) 599-1181
- Website: https://www.piedmontcc.edu
4Pitt Community College
About the School
Pitt Community College prepares students for today’s workforce by offering the instruction, learning resources, and technology needed to build a solid foundation for a great career.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate Degrees.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program available at Pitt Community College teaches students how to transform healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into an alphanumeric code.
Students need a knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
The following degree options are available:
- Medical Office Administration: Medical Billing and Coding Associate in Applied Science
- Medical Billing and Coding Diploma
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Writing and Inquiry
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Legal Issues
- Medical Insurance and Billing
- Medical Office Simulation
- Procedure Coding
- Diagnostic Coding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1986 Pitt Tech Road, Winterville, NC 28590
- Phone: 252-493-7200
- Website: https://pittcc.edu
5Guilford Technical Community College
About the School
Guilford Technical Community College provides a Medical Office Administration- Medical Billing and Coding option.
Coursework includes medical terminology, medical insurance and billing, electronic health records, Microsoft Office, and medical coding systems.
Students also learn how to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare professionals.
The following credentialing options are available:
- Medical Office Administration- Medical Billing and Coding, Associate in Applied Science
- Medical Office Billing & Coding Certificate
- Medical Office Administration- Medical Billing and Coding Diploma
Graduates qualify for clerical/administrative positions in medical and dental offices, hospitals, insurance companies, and other healthcare-related entities.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Medical Office Terms
- Medical Office & Billing
- Procedure Coding
- Diagnostic Coding
- And more
Students need 18 credit hours for a certificate, 37 credit hours for a diploma, and 67 credits for an Associate in Applied Science.
Contact Information
- Address: 601 E. Main St. Jamestown, NC 27282
- Phone: 336.334.4822
- Website: https://www.gtcc.edu
6NC State University
About the School
NC State University offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and more than 200 master’s and doctoral programs.
The programs prepare students for successful careers and meaningful lives.
Courses Offered
NC State University offers a Medical Coder program through its Division of Continuing and Lifelong Education.
Students learn skills such as:
- Medical Coding
- ICD-10
- Medical Billing
- Customer Billing
- CPT Coding
- Medical Records
- Electronic Medical Records
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Raleigh, NC 27695
- Phone: 919.515.2011
- Website: https://www.ncsu.edu
7Vance-Granville Community College
About the School
Vance-Granville Community College offers a Healthcare Billing and Coding program that covers the responsibilities of individuals in the healthcare coding and billing profession.
The curriculum includes medical insurance and billing, coding, claims, and follow-up claims.
After completing this course, students are prepared to sit for the National Healthcare Examination Certified Billing and Coding Specialist.
The course costs $180 plus fees and textbooks.
After completing the program, students will be prepared to sit for the National Healthcare Examination Certified Billing and Coding Specialist.
In order to complete this online course, students need access to a computer and the internet.
Vance-Granville Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Community College Road, Henderson, NC 27537
- Phone: (252) 492-2061
- Website: https://www.vgcc.edu
8University of North Carolina Pembroke
About the School
The University of North Carolina Pembroke provides career training programs in partnership with ed2go.
The online open enrollment programs are designed to provide the skills needed to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations.
Courses Offered
The ICD-10 Medical Coding program prepares students for the future of medical coding.
Students learn how to master the steps for using the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS to code medical diagnoses and procedures.
The program covers:
- The structure of an ICD-10-CM code
- Navigating the layout of the ICD-10-CM coding manual
- Identifying and applying the steps required to code diagnoses and procedures using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding manuals
- Describing the layout and guidelines of the ICD-10-PCS
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 115 Livermore Drive, P.O. Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.uncp.edu
9Alamance Community College
About the School
Alamance Community College offers a dynamic learning environment.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Alamance Community College also offers certificates and diplomas at the approved degree level.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program at Alamance Community College is designed to develop coding skills.
The program emphasizes diagnostic and procedural coding in the outpatient facility.
Graduates should be able to demonstrate proficiency in coding for reimbursement.
The course requires a high school diploma or GED.
The program includes 152 hours of training and can be completed online.
Contact Information
- Address: 1304 Plaza Drive, Burlington, NC 27215
- Phone: (336) 506-4300
- Website: https://www.alamancecc.edu
10Durham Technical Community College
About the School
Durham Technical Community College provides a Medical Coding non-credit program that teaches the skills and concepts needed for entry-level coding positions in a variety of healthcare facilities.
Students may sit for certification exams offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders and/or the American Health Information Management Association.
Tuition is between $161-182 per course.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Terminology for Anatomy and Physiology- 128 contact hours
- Medical Coding I- 107 contact hours
- Medical Coding II- 107 contact hours
- Medical Coding Exam Prep Bootcamp- 40 contact hours
The courses can be completed online.
Contact Information
- Address: 1637 East Lawson Street, Durham, NC 27703
- Phone: 919-536-7200
- Website: https://www.durhamtech.edu
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 260 | $45,040 | $21.66 | $59,020 | $33,310 |
| Burlington, NC | 30 | $48,280 | $23.21 | $59,930 | $34,650 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 870 | $49,970 | $24.03 | $69,500 | $35,210 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 470 | $53,110 | $25.53 | $70,110 | $37,530 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 270 | $50,910 | $24.48 | $70,030 | $31,770 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 60 | $50,400 | $24.23 | $78,160 | $33,360 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 310 | $43,470 | $20.9 | $61,100 | $33,830 |
| Greenville, NC | 320 | $51,570 | $24.8 | $63,480 | $38,010 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 140 | $42,760 | $20.56 | $54,170 | $31,200 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 70 | $49,850 | $23.96 | $63,770 | $35,030 |
| New Bern, NC | 70 | $42,820 | $20.59 | $67,690 | $31,490 |
| Raleigh, NC | 590 | $50,970 | $24.5 | $69,480 | $32,000 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 40 | $50,830 | $24.44 | $77,880 | $31,000 |
| Wilmington, NC | 230 | $41,010 | $19.72 | $58,260 | $24,330 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 490 | $57,270 | $27.54 | $79,680 | $37,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Medical billers and coders are a liaison between insurers, medical offices, and patients.
If you want to start a career in this field, this page provides you with information about the North Carolina schools and programs that can prepare you for certification exams and employment in this field.
After completing your research, the next step is to decide what program best fits your needs and learning style.
