Medical Coding and Billing Certificate

This fully online curriculum prepares students for billing positions in physician offices and billing offices. Students take courses in computing, insurance procedures, CPT, ICD-10-CM coding, and medical terminology. Students must receive a minimum grade of C in all courses.

Learn More

Medical Coding and Billing Certificate

First-come, first-served application process.

Minimum Requirements

• Placement into English 090/097/098 and MAT 070. Placement tests are available at Oakton’s Testing Center.
• While the program does not have clinical requirements, an employer may require passing a drug test, having a clear criminal background check, and clear health requirements, including vaccinations and insurance.
• Make an appointment with Jennifer Crowley, health career specialist.

We also recommend that you view our Information Session video below prior to applying.

1. New students should apply online. Current Oakton students should apply through their myOakton account.
2. View your Admission Checklist. Your New Student Portal includes an Admission Checklist and next steps.
3. Submit admission documents, including transcripts (high school, college, AP, military) and proof of residency.
4. Complete the minimum requirements for admission.
5. Complete an interview. The application process must be completed prior to an interview.

Essential Skills Expected of a Health Information Technician, Medical Coder and Biller, and Cancer Tumor Registrar
Successful completion of the HIT and CRM programs requires the student to participate in and satisfy the Professional Practice Experience (PPE) portion of the program. Students attend a variety of PPE settings including but not limited to hospitals, long term care centers, ambulatory settings, specialty treatment facilities, and managed care facilities. Participation in the PPE requires essential skills that allow the student to perform successfully. Students may be expected to perform satisfactorily in the following domains:

Physical
The student should be able to:

• View computer screens for long periods of time.
• Use keyboard or input devices to enter data into computer.
• Have good hand-eye coordination skills to enter data, answer phones, and write.
• Lift light objects such as medical records and code books and push carts loaded with records.
• Spend long periods of time sitting.
• Hear adequately enough to permit contact with patients, physicians and other employees.

Cognitive
The student should be able to:

• Demonstrate the interpersonal skills necessary to regularly interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, co-workers and other facility personnel.  
• Conduct extended inter-personal professional conversations and dialogues, as well as participate in extensive collaborative and team discussions and project work.
• Demonstrate the organizational and time management skills necessary to carry out multiple functions on a daily basis.
• Follow job related logical thought processes to make judgments. Take initiative and work independently, yet recognize self-limitations. Regularly accept guidance and supervision from superiors.
• Demonstrate prolonged concentration skills in activities like coding and abstracting.
• Apply numeric logic and analytical skills in interpretation and presentation of data.
• Accurately interpret reading material, spell accurately and regularly communicate health information in written and verbal format.

Emotional/Psychological
The student should be able to:

• Cope in an appropriate manner to common job related stressful situations.
• Articulate ideas and communicate information clearly in verbal, written, and digital formats.
• Exhibit flexibility in response to shifting priorities.
• Display a courteous and professional manner through interaction, appearance, and attitude.
• Keep confidential material confidential.
• Meet the ethical standards of the profession.

The above statements were derived in part from job descriptions and work expectations from various employers of health information technicians and from guidance from AHIMA for the HIT A.A.S., and NCRA for the CRM certificate. Each student’s right to participation in the PPE portion of the curriculum is also contingent upon compliance with the rules of the PPE. The PPE has the sole discretion to determine when its rules have been violated.

While the Medical Coding and Billing Certificate program is not accredited, many of the classes are a part of the Health Information Technology (HIT) associate in applied science degree (which is).

The Health Information Management accreditor of Oakton College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for an Associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2028.

All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312.235.3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

After you graduate from the medical coding and billing certificate, you may sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC—through American Academy of Professional Coders), Certified Coding Associate (CCA—through AHIMA). Or, with experience the Certified Coding Specialist — Physician (CCS-P—through AHIMA). After successful passing of the exam, you may put the initials CPC, CCA, or CCS-P, respectively, after your name. These are recognized nationally as a HIT professional.