If you want to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Wisconsin, you can seek employment while earning your first certificate.
After assisting another professional who already has at least one certification, you might consider additional specializations.
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Licensing Required to Become a Wisconsin Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
The state of Wisconsin does not offer licenses for medical billers and coders through their agencies, nor do they make it mandatory to have one.
Most healthcare employers, however, do require them.
The three primary certification bodies host most of the popular entry-level and advanced certificate exams.
You can take it after you studied under an approved instructor for at least a few months.
AAPC Certifications
American Academy of Coders (AAPC), the largest certifying body of its kind, offers the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Professional Biller (CPB).
They also provide specialized credentials to prepare you for work for a chiropractor, dentist, counselor, or other physical and mental health professional.
NHA Certifications
Popular credentials issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) include the Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certificates.
You could also enhance your training with a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS), which also prepares you for medical office positions.
AHIMA Certifications
American Health Information Management (AHIMA) offers the Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P) certificates.
They also have additional certificate exams to prepare you for advancement once you have worked in an entry-level position for a year or two.
4 Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Wisconsin
1. Rasmussen University
This school offers eight chances a year to start classes, so that should encourage you if you do not want to procrastinate going back to school for too long.
You can find the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate in about nine months.
It prepares you for the CCA credential offered by AHIMA.
If you are a returning student, you could use this coursework to prepare for the CCS exam.
Practice in AHIMA virtual labs is included, and it helps you become acquainted with the technology that Wisconsin billers and coders use.
You also receive hands-on practice.
2. BlackHawk Technical College
Blackhawk partners with the AAPC to prepare you for their exams.
After you complete the Medical Administrative Coder Associate degree program, managing health records, patient billing and insurance claim process and medical ethics will become second nature.
You will also learn basic medical terms for diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, you will learn the parts of the human body and other foundations that provide you with medical context while working in your position.
3. Madison Area Technical College
This school prepares you for handling patient cases from when they first arrive for care until they are sent home.
After completing the Medical Billing certificate program, which takes less than one year, you will know how to handle insurance claims and patient questions about them.
If you wish to work as a biller instead of a coder, you will become equipped for efficient and compassionate invoice processing.
You will become ready to take an exam hosted by NHA to earn the CMAA or CEHRS credential.
4. Lakeshore Technical College
You can download the latest Medical Coding Specialist Program Summary, which they have updated every year from 2013 to 2021 so far.
During this training, which you could complete in two semesters, you will learn HCPCS and CPT abbreviations.
In addition, you will receive training in ICD coding and become acquainted with the software used to assist patients.
Your time spent in this coursework will also prepare you for the legal side of healthcare, especially patient privacy regulations.
Billing and Coding Schools in Wisconsin – Summary Table
Top 4 Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Rasmussen University | 904 South Taylor Street Suite 100 Green Bay, WI 54303 |
| BlackHawk Technical College | 6004 S County Rd G, Janesville, WI 53546 |
| Madison Area Technical College | 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | 1290 North Ave, Cleveland, WI 53015 |
Salary
The median (average of most people) salary for medical coding and billing specialists in Wisconsin totals $55,620 as updated in April 2022.
However, annual incomes range from $48,240-$65,210.
You might find the most jobs in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, Madison and Eau Claire.
Sheboygan, Appleton, and Green Bay also have plenty of openings.
The potential to earn more per year in Wisconsin earn up to $73,831 comes with every certification you earn, especially if becoming a manager or instructor.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Biller and Coders in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $40,700 |
| Madison | $40,300 |
| Green Bay | $39,500 |
| Kenosha | $40,400 |
| Racine | $40,400 |
| Appleton | $39,500 |
| Waukesha | $40,500 |
| Oshkosh | $39,200 |
| Eau Claire | $38,300 |
| La Crosse | $37,600 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 110 | $54,190 | $26.06 | $65,100 | $40,450 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 140 | $54,010 | $25.97 | $73,050 | $38,310 |
| Green Bay, WI | 470 | $42,480 | $20.42 | $61,140 | $35,340 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 120 | $53,020 | $25.49 | $60,970 | $45,470 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 180 | $50,430 | $24.25 | $60,030 | $35,360 |
| Madison, WI | 590 | $55,430 | $26.65 | $74,010 | $36,750 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 1,340 | $53,420 | $25.68 | $66,260 | $36,820 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 120 | $54,050 | $25.99 | $71,570 | $45,860 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60 | $54,620 | $26.26 | $71,330 | $39,760 |
| Wausau, WI | 90 | $52,700 | $25.34 | $67,560 | $39,050 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Wisconsin billing and coding jobs are there?
The number of open positions will increase by about 9% over the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This equals about 34,300 openings per year until at least 2030.
In Milwaukee and surrounding areas, this adds up to approximately 1420 people currently working already based on multiple data reports published from 2016 to 2022.
In Madison, about 640 people already work in this field.
You could be one of those people once trained.
How long does billing and coding training take?
You can start out by earning the CPC or CPB certificate within four months and take your first exam by the sixth month.
It is important to gain some on-the-job experience before you decide to take your exam.
Otherwise, you might want to consider an unpaid internship.
Some people study to achieve additional certifications, and they might also attend school for two years and acquire an associate degree.
If they want to run a hospital wing or medical clinic, they might stay in school for about four years and earn a bachelor’s degree.
What is the typical certification process?
Usually, you would start out in a certificate program at the school of your choice.
The two-year program includes a set of certificates that allow students to complete one certificate when they first register for classes.
Then, they often take other classes that could later make up the courses required to earn an associate degree.
To become a hospital administrator, you might also take business management and health information courses and earn a bachelor’s degree.
How much does WI billing and coding training cost?
You could complete a single certification for maybe $2,000-$4,000 online.
Payment plans, scholarships, and financial aid may help people cover the cost.
Sometimes, it is more economical to take an associate degree program, which provides information relevant to several certifications.
How much does yearly certification renewal cost in WI?
It depends on how many certificates you have and which ones you want to renew.
Each exam usually costs you about $200-400, which may or may not include practice study materials and continued education training.
