Best Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Arkansas: Find Your Top Match
Pursue an exciting new career in medical billing and coding. Explore Arkansas’ best online program options to get started today.
Every student who signs up for an online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas has a particular goal in mind. For some, that might be the desire for a steady salary in a field that shows an impressive growth rate in the state. For others, it might be the desire to work from home in a career that gives them room to grow while allowing for significant flexibility in their schedule. Still, others might want a position in allied health and look to medical billing and coding as an opportunity to impact the lives of patients in a positive way.
When you’re ready to move into a medical billing and coding career, seek out an online school that offers all the things that matter to you. From strong student support to low tuition rates, there are plenty of options in Arkansas that will meet your needs.
Another important need is flexibility, and in today’s fast-paced world few people have the time to sit in a classroom every day. Students who choose online medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas can take courses whenever they can fit them into their busy schedule. This makes online learning the ideal vehicle for people who already have a full-time job or need to juggle work and family obligations as they go through their courses.
This guide aims to help you in your journey by providing examples of what solid programs should look like and answering your questions about what comes after graduation. Read on for those details and more.
Most Popular Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs in AR
Medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas are available through community colleges and universities and often take less than a year to complete. Here are some of the top schools with standout online medical billing and coding programs in Arkansas.
University of Arkansas Community College
The online medical billing and coding program at University of Arkansas Community College allows students to begin their educational journey at any time. The curriculum consists of two main modules: the first is medical terminology, which prepares you for the second module in medical billing and coding.
The program prepares students to take one of three examinations — the Certified Professional Coder, Certified Coding Associate, or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist — and provides a voucher upon completion that will pay for the exam you choose.
Hands-on experience with the most common medical billing and coding software and an externship are both integral to the program. Students will also learn the guidelines for the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, CPT Category II, and ICD-10 codes, all of which are solid preparation to dive into the workforce.
For those who aren’t interested in coding, a separate program in medical billing is available as well. Either way, the self-paced program takes 12 months or less to complete.
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Northwest Arkansas Community College offers a fully online medical billing and coding program for people who want to complete their program in as little as 12 months. Open enrollment means you can begin the course at any time, and a student advisor will work with you to figure out the best schedule to completion if you need more than 12 months.
The 370 course hours cover medical terminology, billing practices, various coding methods, working with health insurance companies, reimbursement law and practices, revenue cycles, pharmacology, and Medicare and Medicaid claims. Discussing direction with professors is possible and encouraged to help sort out any problems, but for the most part the course is meant to be taken independently with little guidance necessary.
Though there are no prerequisites required to gain admission to the program, it is important to note that in order to take the national exams, a high school diploma or equivalent is required; therefore, NACC recommends students earn one of these before beginning the course.
Those who complete this online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas will receive a voucher to take one of the three popular national exams: The CPC, CCA, or CBCS.
University of Arkansas Grantham
The medical billing and coding online certificate program at University of Arkansas Grantham requires 18 credits to complete, which is usually finished within eight months. There is no set start date to join this program, which happens to be one of the most affordable in the country.
The program prepares students to work with the most common coding programs in the healthcare industry; understand regulations on the local, state, and federal level; manage records and insurance claims; and understand their role in varied healthcare facilities and medical-related environments.
Program modules include healthcare delivery systems, medical terminology, basic diagnosis coding systems, basic procedure coding systems, reimbursement methodologies, and certification preparation.
This program is accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission, which helps ensure that this program meets quality requirements and fully prepares students to move into the workforce with the right knowledge and skills.
Salary & Career Overview in Arkansas for Medical Billing and Coding Students
Students who graduate from an online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas will want to know where the jobs are and how much they can expect to earn from them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides some answers, although they don’t provide data specifically for medical billers and coders. Instead, the stats below are for the similar “medical records specialists.”
The job growth for medical records specialists is very strong in Arkansas, reaching an almost 19% expected growth rate. That means more than 230 new jobs open up each year in the state, which is much higher than the 8.5% growth rate seen for these specialists in the entire U.S.
The pay for medical specialist graduates is solid, but where you work makes a difference. For instance, people with jobs in the Hot Springs area will see a median wage of $36,130, while those who work in Little Rock will earn a median wage of $42,100.
Perhaps surprisingly, the highest paying areas include Fort Smith, where the highest wage earners make about $69,750 per year. That’s higher than what people in Little Rock can expect when they reach the upper levels of this type of profession.
Keep in mind that the amount of money made for working in this type of medical career vary depending upon the facility in which you work. Some graduates will choose to work independently, while others may be hired by hospitals, doctors in private officers, or outpatient clinics. Specialists who work for more affluent physicians might make more than people who work for hospital systems.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $30,790 | $37,340 | $63,810 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | $31,990 | $37,870 | $64,420 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $30,690 | $36,940 | $69,750 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,210 | $36,130 | $58,120 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $30,240 | $39,730 | $57,580 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $32,610 | $42,100 | $67,930 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | $30,600 | $36,870 | $58,840 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
| Area | Current Jobs | Projected Jobs | New Jobs | Job Growth | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 194,300 | 210,900 | 16,600 | 8.5% | 15,000 |
| Arkansas | 1,230 | 1,460 | 230 | 18.7% | 110 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020 – 2030
Top Careers for Medical Billing and Coding-Certified Students
Billing Analyst
These professionals are often found in a company’s billing department, where they work with others in accounting to handle billing for patients. Their job is to ensure that billing is correct, bills and invoices are issued promptly, and that the company makes the money they are expected to make. In the medical world, this work requires ensuring the proper codes were applied for procedures and treatments, that bills are issued to the insurance company and/or the patient as appropriate, and that payments are applied to the proper accounts.
Coding Auditor
Coding can be difficult in that there are so many numbers to remember and use properly; one wrong usage can mean the difference in thousands of dollars billed or services not rendered due to insurance company rules. A coding auditor reviews the work of other coders and ensures that the codes are entered properly for the procedure or treatment. They also make sure that any mistakes are corrected and paperwork resubmitted to the insurance company, and that repeated errors are reported to the appropriate oversight committees. A coding auditor might also be expected to provide training and support to medical coding clerks.
Medical Records Coordinator
A medical record coordinator is responsible for compiling, coordinating, processing, and maintaining the medical records of patients while meeting all important requirements of a healthcare system — including staying consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory guidelines. These coordinators are highly trained to handle or spot problems in diagnosis, procedures, medical services, equipment, and other factors that play into the medical coding systems used by the majority of U.S. healthcare facilities.
Reimbursement Specialist
These specialists focus on compensation and benefits for employees and job analysis tasks for employers. Many choose to drill down and focus on specific areas, such as pension programs or position classifications. Much of their work involves auditing. Reimbursement specialists in the medical field provide guidance on billing and coding practices and requirements, work to connect employees with medical and health services, and help ensure that employees get their benefits as determined by their position, worked hours, years in service, and other parameters set by the employer.
Your Questions, Answered
How can I make sure a program is accredited?
To earn accreditation, a school or program is evaluated by an independent accrediting body and found to be up to high quality education standards. In order to sit for the national examination for coders and billers, the graduate must have completed an accredited program.
Accreditation for billing and coding programs comes from the Commission of Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education or the American Academy of Professional Coders. The school itself might be accredited as well; these regional accreditations are approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. If your school or program is listed by the CHEA, you can rest assured that you have the accreditation you need to quality for the national exam upon completion of your education.
What are some entry level medical billing and coding jobs?
In many cases, entry-level positions will be available in large hospital systems or physician offices. These include medical billers and medical coders who work only for that organization and serve as the go-between for the hospital or office, the insurance companies, and the patient.
Other options include work as a medical claims processor for an insurance company, a medical secretary who works in a dedicated office or hospital area, and a medical records specialist for any sort of healthcare organization. Some people find that working in a closely-related field, such as human resources, can help you get the experience you need to move into a dedicated medical billing or coding position.
Student support services and the career office at your school will have local leads to jobs that will suit your goals.
How do I get medical billing and coding certification in Arkansas?
Students who want to earn their certification should graduate from an accredited medical and billing program before they can take the exam. These programs might be a post-secondary certification, which allows a student to focus only on the medical and billing aspects of education, or might be an associate degree, which requires general education courses in addition to the medical billing and coding courses. Some programs take as little as four weeks, while others take between 12 months and two years.
However, it is important to note that medical billers and coders do not need exam certification or a license to practice their work in the state. Having no certification might work well for people who want to an entry-level position or are on the fence about making this their career. But, keep in mind that in order to advance or seek out greater pay, you will likely need the higher education and certification that allows you to stay competitive in the market.
How much do medical billing and coding programs cost?
The price of an online medical billing and coding program in Arkansas depends greatly upon where you choose to pursue it. For instance, some online programs cost as little as $800. However, these are usually bare-bones with no test prep included, teaching only the basics of what you need to know. Others cost a few thousand dollars but provide you with much more information and better prepare you to pass the test to become a medical biller and coder.
Those who choose to earn an associate degree will pay the costs associated with the higher level of education, which can often cost $10,000 or more through a community college. Though, there are often financial aid options available for those who choose to earn their associate degree.
Keep in mind that there is also the cost of certification tests. Depending upon the test, you could pay between $200 and $500 per exam.
