Asking yourself a few questions can help you choose the right medical billing and coding program.
For instance, will you be seeking certification upon completion of the program?
Do you want to work in an inpatient or outpatient clinic?
Here are five great programs worth checking out!
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5 Medical Billing and Coding Schools in California
Cosumnes River College
The A.S. in Health Information and Technology program at Cosumnes River College is accredited.
The program has accreditation in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association.
The program is completed online for a total of 60-semester units.
After completion of the A.S program, you can register for the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate.
The certificate program is 27-semester units and it prepares you to take a certification exam.
Tuition for summer and spring semesters costs $46 per unit to complete, for resident students, and $395 per unit for non-resident students.
Cypress College
Cypress College offers an Associate in Health Information Technology.
The program prepares you for a career handling medical data such as medical billing and coding.
There are three areas of specialization to choose from, including Health Information Management, Health Information Technology, and Health Informatics.
Completing an A.S in Health Information Technology sets you up to pursue a certificate of completion (at any college offering it).
Or, you may wish to opt for taking the certification exam straight away once you graduate.
The program takes 7 semesters to complete for a total of 77 units.
Additionally, if you have already taken core curriculum courses like math, for instance, you may be able to transfer them to this program, so you may set up a session to chat with a counselor.
Residents and non-residents must pay an enrollment fee of $46 per unit in addition to a health fee of $21 per semester.
Fresno City College
The college offers an Associate in Science with a specialization in Health Information Technology.
Classes you take include those such as coding diagnostics and coding procedures.
This is a great program to get the basics of what you will need to succeed as a medical biller and coder in California.
To complete this program, you will need to take a total of 42-42 units and pass each course with a grade of C or above.
Work-study incentives, financial aid, and scholarships are available based on merit.
Tuition is $46 per unit for in-resident students (not including book or parking costs).
Some distance education classes are offered, although it is best to check with the school website as these classes tend to be available by semester and are subject to change.
Santa Barbara City College
Besides a gorgeous scenic view, the college offers transfer programs as well as stand-alone degrees and certificates.
You can get an Associate of Science in Health Information Technology, while some courses may be transferred to the school if you have taken them previously at a different institution.
Keep in mind that 20% of the courses must be taken at Santa Barbara.
The program is a total of 60 units maintaining a 2.0 minimum GPA to graduate.
Additionally, the college offers a certificate of achievement in Healthcare Data Analytics which includes courses like procedural coding and diagnostic coding, for a total of 44 units to complete.
For California residents, tuition fees are $46 per unit for enrollment.
San Diego Mesa College
The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology degree at San Diego Mesa College prepares you for a career as a Registered Health Information Technician after completing 33 units.
You will learn how to manage information software and databases in a clinical setting as well as have the opportunity to put your skills to use with an optional internship towards the end of the program.
The program is accredited by the Commission for Health Informatics and Information Management and it prepares you to take the certification exam through the American Health Information Technology Association.
Additionally, the college offers a Bachelor’s in Health Information Management as well as a Coding Specialist Certificate of Achievement.
Tuition costs $46 per unit.
Billing and Coding Schools in California – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in California
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cosumnes River College | 8401 Center Pkwy, Sacramento, CA 95823 |
| Cypress College | 9200 Valley View St, Cypress, CA 90630 |
| Fresno City College | 1101 E University Ave, Fresno, CA 93741 |
| Santa Barbara City College | 721 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 |
| San Diego Mesa College | 7250 Mesa College Drive San Diego, California 92111-4998 |
Salary
As of February 2022, the salary for a Health Biller and Coder in California ranges between $47,921 and $64,784 with an average salary of $55,246.
Salary variation depends on several factors, including education and years of working experience.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Biller and Coders in California
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $46,400 |
| San Diego | $44,300 |
| San Jose | $51,500 |
| San Francisco | $51,300 |
| Long Beach | $45,700 |
| Fresno | $40,800 |
| Sacramento | $44,300 |
| Oakland | $48,800 |
| Santa Ana | $45,800 |
| Anaheim | $45,800 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 410 | $52,860 | $25.41 | $90,960 | $33,180 |
| Chico, CA | 100 | $58,160 | $27.96 | $90,910 | $34,300 |
| El Centro, CA | 80 | $48,010 | $23.08 | $80,930 | $31,260 |
| Fresno, CA | 580 | $52,240 | $25.11 | $81,420 | $33,010 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 40 | $47,700 | $22.93 | $58,870 | $31,660 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 8,290 | $67,880 | $32.63 | $101,120 | $37,120 |
| Madera, CA | 90 | $55,130 | $26.51 | $78,370 | $36,540 |
| Merced, CA | 90 | $43,650 | $20.99 | $57,990 | $30,970 |
| Modesto, CA | 310 | $49,150 | $23.63 | $63,220 | $35,360 |
| Napa, CA | 60 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $71,940 | $38,100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 350 | $54,650 | $26.27 | $98,520 | $29,970 |
| Redding, CA | 80 | $53,270 | $25.61 | $105,000 | $30,880 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,710 | $65,800 | $31.63 | $97,510 | $34,780 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 1,300 | $73,810 | $35.49 | $102,180 | $37,790 |
| Salinas, CA | 150 | $51,610 | $24.81 | $66,720 | $38,380 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 1,630 | $57,990 | $27.88 | $91,380 | $36,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 2,630 | $73,800 | $35.48 | $107,530 | $43,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,070 | $71,090 | $34.18 | $105,370 | $44,500 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 90 | $50,340 | $24.2 | $73,450 | $30,070 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 120 | $55,490 | $26.68 | $102,500 | $35,040 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 220 | $55,240 | $26.56 | $93,510 | $30,850 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 180 | $62,520 | $30.06 | $81,870 | $38,070 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 380 | $67,490 | $32.45 | $99,710 | $35,910 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 230 | $62,770 | $30.18 | $82,910 | $38,660 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 190 | $49,190 | $23.65 | $75,040 | $32,960 |
| Yuba City, CA | 40 | $48,630 | $23.38 | $74,410 | $34,750 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
- Bakersfield, CA3 Schools
- Fresno, CA7 Schools
- Los Angeles, CA6 Schools
- Oakland, CA3 Schools
- Riverside, CA5 Schools
- Sacramento, CA6 Schools
- San Diego, CA5 Schools
- San Jose, CA4 Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need certification to become a medical billing and coding specialist in California?
While California does not require you to be certified, most employers prefer employees to have certification or education from an accredited school or program.
What types of certifications are available?
The most highly regarded associations offering certifications include:
- AAPC–American Academy of Professional Coders
- AHIMA–American Health Information Management Association
- AMBA–American Billing Association
Certification exams available in California include:
- CMRS–Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist
- CCA–Certified Coding Associate
- CPC–Certified Professional Coder
- CPC-P–Certified Professional Coder-Payer
- COC–Certified Outpatient Coder
What are the annual fees for holding my license?
According to MTI college, in California, you do not need to recertify annually as a medical biller and coder.
What are the highest average earning cities in California?
Vallejo, Fairfield–$65,080
Stockton, Lodi–$64,250
Sacramento, Roseville, Arden, Arcade–$63,880
Are billing and coding different?
Coders translate a patient visit into universally understood codes.
Billers use codes to submit claims to insurance providers.
