Medical Coding Bootcamps vs. Traditional Programs: Which is Right for You?

Whether you’re just entering the workforce, returning after a break or transitioning careers, pursuing a career in medical billing and coding may be right for you. Jobs in medical billing and coding allow you to work in the dynamic and growing field of healthcare without being involved in direct patient care. Instead, you can make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of others by ensuring that healthcare providers are properly reimbursed for services and that patients receive the insurance benefits they need.

To become a medical biller or coder, you can choose from several educational pathways that prepare you to enter this high-demand field. From medical coding bootcamps to traditional degree programs, educational options exist to support a range of personal needs and professional goals.

What is a medical coding bootcamp?

A medical coding bootcamp is a short-term intensive program that focuses on the skills you need to work in the healthcare industry. Like other bootcamps in the computer and information technology fields, medical coding bootcamps are concentrated programs that teach essential skills and provide hands-on training in the field.

The purpose of a medical coding bootcamp is to help you earn the skills that employers desire without spending the additional time and money needed to earn a college degree. The condensed and fast-paced format of a coding bootcamp means that you may be able to complete your education in six to 12 weeks, depending on the bootcamp format and timing.

“[In a medical coding bootcamp], students are instructed on the fundamentals of medical billing and coding, along with more of a deep dive with billing and coding concepts, coding guidelines and exercises, data analytics, health insurance and payer guidelines, etc. Students get real-world knowledge through lectures, assignments and hands-on training exercises all in an effort to prepare and fast-track employment opportunity,” says Lee Williams, MBA, MHA, RHIA, CPC, CPCO, CEMC, CHONC, CRC, CCS, CDIP, Senior Director of Education at AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders).

What are traditional medical coding programs?

Traditional medical coding programs can include an associate or bachelor’s degree in related areas such as computer science, forensics, health information management, or healthcare administration. A degree program offers a broader educational experience that includes coursework in areas such as liberal arts and the general sciences in addition to studies related to medical billing and coding and the overall healthcare system.

While this multi-disciplinary approach gives you the skills you need to succeed in a broader variety of career options within the healthcare field, completing these programs requires more time and money than bootcamps. A full-time student typically requires two years to complete an associate degree and four years to complete an undergraduate degree, with costs reflecting the additional educational time. However, for many people, the investment in an associate or undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is worthwhile since it provides an educational foundation for advanced degrees in the future.

Other traditional options include college-level certificates and diploma programs. These programs are offered by community colleges, career colleges and traditional colleges and universities. With an average duration of nine to 12 months, certificate and diploma programs typically have a faster time to completion than a degree. Unlike bootcamps, the curriculum of a certificate or diploma program typically involves more than one course for completion.

Which educational pathway is right for me?

The decision to pursue a medical coding bootcamp over a traditional education is a personal decision based on your needs and professional goals. As a result, a bootcamp appeals to different students for different reasons.

“[In a bootcamp], we have a very diverse student population, from nurses and other clinicians, to those already working in a business or administrative healthcare role, to those with no healthcare experience  We get individuals who are transitioning from one career looking for a new opportunity, as well as those who have been stay-at-home parents or have been unemployed for quite some time looking to get back into the employment market,” says Williams.

If you’re sure that medical billing and coding is right for you, there’s no doubt that medical coding bootcamps help you begin your career much faster than pursuing a college degree. “Since bootcamps are typically shorter in duration, students may be able to enter the workforce a bit earlier compared to traditional programs that typically take two to four years. Because bootcamps focus on building the skills needed for career readiness, students are able to benefit from course activity that will directly impact and prepare them for the job force. Most students entering a bootcamp, like our coding bootcamp, have already decided a role as a medical coder or a role in revenue cycle is what they aspire to be,” explains Williams.

A traditional program may be right for you if your long-term goals involve pursuing more advanced roles in the healthcare revenue cycle with responsibilities beyond medical billing and coding. The broad education you earn with a college degree can position you for higher-level roles and more diverse responsibilities in some industries. A college degree from an accredited institution can also be used as a foundation for an advanced degree or a second degree in another field of study. “A traditional degree may be most appropriate for those who are seeking a role where the employment criteria require an undergrad or graduate degree,” says Williams.

Factors to consider when choosing between a medical coding bootcamp or a traditional program

While there are pros and cons to both types of medical coding education, here are some aspects to consider when deciding which educational pathway is right for you: