Medical Billing Courses Queens: Program Types and Costs
Queens offers several medical billing certificate programs through community colleges and vocational schools. Queensborough Community College provides a medical billing and coding certificate that typically takes 4 to 6 months to complete, with tuition around $1,800 for New York State residents. The program covers ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems, along with medical office procedures and insurance claim processing. Students can enroll in fall, spring, or summer semesters, with both in-person and hybrid formats available. For working adults, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University offers continuing education courses in medical billing through its School of Public Health, with individual course fees ranging from $150 to $400 per credit hour.
Private career schools in Queens, such as the American Institute of Commerce and the Career Centers network, provide accelerated medical billing training programs lasting 8 to 12 weeks. These programs cost between $2,500 and $4,500 and focus on practical skills like claims submission, denial management, and electronic health record navigation. Many schools offer payment plans and financial aid options for qualifying students. The New York State Education Department maintains a searchable database of all registered private career schools, allowing prospective students to verify program accreditation and completion rates before enrolling.
Certification Pathways and Industry Requirements
Medical billing professionals in Queens typically pursue national certification through organizations like AAPC or AHIMA. The AAPC Certified Professional Biller (CPB) credential requires passing an exam covering medical terminology, insurance regulations, and billing compliance. AAPC reports that certified billers earn an average of 18 percent more than non-certified counterparts, with the CPB exam fee currently set at $399 for members and $599 for non-members. Preparation courses for the CPB exam are available through AAPC-approved training centers in Queens and online platforms.
AHIMA offers the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) credential, which focuses on both coding and billing workflows in physician offices and hospitals. The CBCS exam costs $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members. Both certifications require renewal every two years through continuing education units. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical records and health information technicians, including billing specialists, to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Career Outlook and Salary Data for Medical Billers in Queens
Medical billers in Queens, New York earn a median annual salary of approximately $52,000, according to data from the New York State Department of Labor. Entry-level positions typically start around $40,000, while experienced billers with certification and specialized skills can earn over $65,000 annually. Major employers in Queens include NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System, and numerous private physician practices and outpatient clinics. The concentration of healthcare facilities in Queens creates consistent demand for billing professionals across specialties including primary care, orthopedics, and behavioral health.
Remote medical billing roles have expanded significantly since 2020, with many Queens-based companies offering hybrid or fully remote positions. Organizations like UnitedHealth Group and Optum maintain billing operations in the New York metro area, hiring certified billers for claims processing, audit support, and revenue cycle management. The American Health Information Management Association provides a directory of accredited programs and employer partnerships to help graduates connect with hiring opportunities in Queens and across New York State. Additional labor market data for medical billing careers in Queens is available through the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook.