Medical billing specialists assist patients and healthcare providers with the insurance claims process.
They manage the patient’s account, answer questions about their coverage, and ensure that all claims are done in a timely manner.
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- Minnesota Billing and Coding Licensing Requirements
- AAPC Certifications
- 5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Minnesota
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do health care facilities still need medical billing and coding specialists?
- Where do medical billers and coders usually find jobs?
- What challenges will I face as a billing or coding technician?
- Can I find work-from-home billing and coding opportunities?
- What will my billing and coding classes teach me?
Minnesota Billing and Coding Licensing Requirements
Minnesota does not require medical billers and coders to have a license to work in this occupation.
However, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) has set medical billing and coding certification standards.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) also provides certifications that reputable health care employers recognize.
AAPC Certifications
AAPC certifications prepare you for billing and coding in a physician’s office, hospital, outpatient clinic, and more. For instance, you could become a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), or Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).
Usually, you would start as a CPC. Then, you probably would follow the CIC or COC learning tracks.
If you want to become certified, however, you must gain some hands-on experience before you take your exam.
This usually comes with working as an assistant for at least six months to a year while completing your certificate coursework.
AHIMA Certifications
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers several certification programs to help medical billing and coding professionals advance their careers.
For instance, you can earn the Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Coding Specialist – Physicians Based (CCS-P) credentials.
To obtain a CCA, you will have to gain six months of practice in writing codes in a medical setting.
Other certifications may require at least one year of paid hands-on experience before taking the exam.
5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Minnesota
Dakota County Technical College (DCTC)
This two-year college, located in Rosemount, Minnesota, offers a range of health programs, including courses in billing and coding specialist.
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited DCTC.
The Medical Specialist certificate and diploma programs will prepare you for your AAPC exam, and you can choose between hybrid, online, or on campus.
Courses will also cover varying depths of diagnosis, anatomy, and coding pertaining to your current position when you get hired.
Northwest Technical College (NTC MN)
The Medical Coding associate program offered by NTC MN teaches students how to assign accurate codes to medical records.
You will learn about anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology in this diploma training program too.
Courses will also prepare you for taking your AAPC exam.
Your classes also would provide a foundation for future management positions.
Ohana Coding
This AAPC-approved online school would teach you a variety of coding systems, such as HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, CPT, and reimbursement methodologies.
You will also learn diagnosis classification systems, and medical terms related to anatomy and physiology.
They may have both evening and morning classes, and you can use this program to make you ready for your most recent certificate exam.
PhysiCode Healthcare Solutions
PhysiCode Healthcare Solutions offers a certificate program in medical coding, which includes exam preparation that calls for learning specific medical coding abbreviation sets.
Some that you may learn to include the ICD-10-CM, CPT4, and HCPCS Level II or CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I, and CPCO protocols.
This 12-week course includes lectures, labs, and hands-on experience as you prepare to take your certification exam.
Minnesota Community and Technical College
The Medical Coding and Insurance diploma program teach required insurance coding and medical billing skills.
In the process, you will apply codes that identify specific patient conditions when processing their medical records.
You will also learn how to develop reimbursement schedules and make sure patients receive reimbursement entitled to them.
You would apply this training when employed at a hospital, doctor’s office, nursing home, blood bank, or other healthcare settings.
Billing and Coding Schools in Minnesota – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Minnesota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) | 1300 145th St E, Rosemount, MN 55068, |
| Northwest Technical College (NTC MN) | 905 Grant Ave SE, Bemidji, MN 56601 |
| Ohana Coding | 1515 N Warson Rd Ste. 256, St. Louis, MO 63132 |
| PhysiCode Healthcare Solutions | 75 Washington St. #413 PO BOX 413 Fairburn, GA 30213 |
| Minnesota Community and Technical College | 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 |
Salary
After about two years of hands-on experience and certificate training, the average salary for a Minnesota medical coder totals $57,300.
Entry-level billers usually make about $33,494.
The following cities hire billers and coders: Minneapolis, Lakeview, Brooklyn Center, or Stillwater.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Biller and Coders in Minnesota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $43,700 |
| St. Paul | $43,700 |
| Duluth | $38,900 |
| Rochester | $39,700 |
| Burnsville | $43,600 |
| Alborn | $38,500 |
| Bovey | $38,500 |
| Cleveland | $43,300 |
| Easton | $39,400 |
| Lynd | $36,200 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 260 | $51,240 | $24.63 | $62,040 | $40,230 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | 30 | $55,070 | $26.48 | $70,680 | $40,390 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1,780 | $61,450 | $29.55 | $82,490 | $43,710 |
| Rochester, MN | 280 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $64,890 | $42,030 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 210 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do health care facilities still need medical billing and coding specialists?
Researchers predict that in 2020 there will be about 416,400 new billing and coding jobs.
By 2030, this number is expected to grow by 37,100 jobs for a growth of about 9%.
Where do medical billers and coders usually find jobs?
Online resources in locations near you provide you with the most convenient job search.
You also could look for internal postings at hospitals, blood banks, or public clinics.
You also might find open positions within a school, nursing home, doctor’s office, or assisted living center.
What challenges will I face as a billing or coding technician?
Obviously, typing the same medical codes throughout the day can get boring.
When you have an increase in inpatient admissions, it becomes stressful.
You still have to work under both circumstances.
Can I find work-from-home billing and coding opportunities?
More people began working at home at least part-time after 2020.
However, that does not guarantee that you will find positions out of the office once you have acquired your certificate.
What will my billing and coding classes teach me?
Reputable courses will cover anatomy, physiology, or biology.
During your training, you will also become proficient in at least one of these coding protocols: CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II.
