Minnesota Medical Billing & Coding Schools and Salary Guide

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.

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

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.

Regional Salary in Minnesota