Best Medical Billing & Coding Programs in Kansas: Start Your Rewarding New Career
Will your exciting new career be in medical billing and coding? Discover your online program options in Kansas to get started today.
Medical billing and coding is a rewarding career offering steady salaries, advancement, and opportunities to meaningfully impact patients. This in-demand healthcare job is projected to grow for the next 10 years, making now an ideal time to become a medical coder and biller. Whether you’re just beginning your medical billing and coding studies or are a current healthcare professional shifting to medical billing and coding, attending an online medical billing and coding program in Kansas can help you achieve your goals.
Medical biller and coder specialists process payments for medical services, communicate accurately with insurance companies, and review patient medical records and treatments. Providing the right medical codes to insurance companies is one of their many important tasks and requires careful attention to detail to ensure all medical services are processed correctly. Those pursuing careers in medical billing and coding need a thorough understanding of the codes used in this field as well as knowledge of insurance policies and basic medical terminology.
Preparing yourself for a successful career in medical billing and coding is simple with one of the many excellent online medical billing and coding programs in Kansas. Keep reading to discover some of the state’s top medical billing and coding programs, employment data, career opportunities, and frequently asked questions.
Most Popular Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Kansas
Kansas is home to some of the best medical billing and coding programs and a growing number of jobs in the field. Three of the best online medical billing and coding programs in Kansas, each accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offering diverse curriculums with specialization opportunities, are detailed below to help you choose the program that’s right for you.
Garden City Community College
Garden University aims to prepare students for the numerous career paths available in the medical billing and coding field. This online medical billing and coding program in Kansas focuses on the primary coding systems used in the medical billing and coding field, including CPT Category II codes and ICD-10 codes. Students also gain practical experience with coding software, medical terminology, the role of insurance and Medicare in medical billing and coding, and pharmacology. Students can apply their course knowledge in the field through the program’s exciting externship experience. Upon completing the course, students are fully prepared to earn a professional certification in their chosen track. Those include the Certified Professional Code (CPC) exam, the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, and the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
Barton Community College
Students in the Medical Insurance Coder/Biller Certificate online program at San Juan College in New Mexico can finish their courses in as little as 16 months. Two start dates, one in the fall and one in the spring, line up with typical semester scheduling. Upon graduation, students are ready to take the American Health Information Management Association’s Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.
Students in this program learn medical terminology, the laws and regulations pertaining to coding and billing practices, the use of various coding classification systems (including CPT-4, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and HCPCS), and the ins and outs of health information technology in the use of billing and coding and throughout the broader healthcare system.
This 100% online medical billing and coding program in New Mexico is $5,800 for the entire program with in-state tuition; out-of-state students pay $10,500. Additionally, some New Mexico residents can enjoy free tuition through the NM Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships.
Cowley College
Cowley College offers both a medical coder biller associate’s degree program and a certificate program. Both programs are fully online and educate students on CPT, HCPCS, and ICD 9/10 codes as well as on the medical terminology they’ll encounter in the field. Although the online medical billing and coding programs in Kansas make it easier to earn your credentials at an affordable cost, Kansas residents may be eligible for additional financial aid to help cover program costs at Cowley.
While students can obtain entry-level jobs in medical coding with either an AAS or a certificate, an associate degree may elevate a resume in a competitive job market. However, the certificate program takes less time, which is appealing to those wanting to start in the workforce as soon as possible. The two-year AAS provides a more comprehensive medical coding program, though, by also focusing on computer literacy, business communications, healthcare finance, pharmacology, healthcare law, bioethics, and more. Students looking for an accelerated medical coding track should consider the 35-credit hour certificate program, which focuses on many of the same concepts in the AAS program at a condensed scale. Those completing Cowley’s medical conder biller program are eligible to obtain their CCA credential.
Medical Billing and Coding Salary & Career Overview for KS
Before you start your medical billing and coding career path, gain a clear picture of what you can expect in the workforce. Salary and job projections in the medical billing and coding field in Kansas are positive. Note that since the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide medical coder biller data, data for medical records specialists is used in the table below instead.
This entry-level role maintains competitive wages and significant job growth with mean annual wages around $50,000 and 6.5% job growth, higher than average. Although wages are steady throughout the state, consider targeting specific higher-paying areas like Lawrence and Topeka. Once you gain experience in an entry-level medical billing and coding role, you can advance into higher leadership positions with higher pay. Also consider adding more medical billing and coding certifications and specializations to your resume to help you achieve higher wages in your current position.
Although some healthcare facilities do not require certification for entry-level medical billing and coding jobs, most prefer (or are required by policy) to hire someone with sufficient training and certification. These credentials also make your resume more competitive and increase your chances of landing a higher-paying job.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $33,990 | $46,750 | $67,970 |
| Lawrence, KS | $34,760 | $51,340 | $61,510 |
| Manhattan, KS | $29,120 | $38,920 | $57,730 |
| Topeka, KS | $35,480 | $53,040 | $67,430 |
| Wichita, KS | $32,690 | $43,930 | $63,890 |
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 |
| Kansas | 2,000 | 2,130 | 130 | 6.5% | 150 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Careers for the Medical Billing and Coding-Certified
Billing Analyst
Billing Analysts monitor all billing procedures to ensure complete billing accuracy, from submitting claims to insurance providers to preparing medical statements for patients. A billing analyst ensures each patient is correctly billed and the medical institution receives proper payment. When discrepancies or questions arise in a patient’s statement or bill, a billing analyst works to answer questions and correct errors. Billing analysts need experience in billing and/or accounting and familiarity with basic billing databases and Excel. Although most billing analyst positions do not involve coding, others combine the role of a medical coder into billing analyst roles. Carefully read job descriptions to clarify if coding experience is required.
Coding Auditor
Strong attention to detail and thorough coding knowledge is essential for coding auditors. Primarily responsibilities involve analyzing medical coding documents for errors to ensure that insurance companies receive proper codes for patient treatments and procedures. Coding auditors frequently work with other billing departments, including medical records specialists or coding clerks, to ensure accuracy in the billing lifecycle. This may involve reporting coding errors to management and educating staff on proper coding procedures.
Medical Records Coordinator
Medical records coordinators perform a variety of administrative tasks in a physician’s office, clinic, or other healthcare facility. Their primary responsibility is managing patient medical records and organizing paper and digital data for both patients and staff. Since medical record coordinators work directly with patient data, the role requires strict adherence to ethical, legal, and administrative guidelines. Communication is an essential skill for this position since many daily tasks involve contact with patients and staff. Medical record coordinators notify patients of actions needed for proper documentation and ensure all records are accurate. They also work with medical staff to report any updates or discrepancies in patient data. Those pursuing this role need a basic understanding of medical terminology to accurately assess patient records, strong communication and customer service skills, and proficiency in data entry computer programs like Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
Reimbursement Specialist
Reimbursement Specialists work in a wide range of medical institutions from clinics and hospitals to occupational health facilities. They primarily manage outstanding balances owed to the medical institution and ensure accurate and timely payment processing. This role requires a thorough understanding of insurance policies and regulations and how these relate to reimbursement procedures. Reimbursement specialists work directly with medical professionals, administrators, insurers, and patients, so strong communication skills are key. Daily tasks for this role include researching credit balances, reporting reimbursement discrepancies, and issuing timely statements to those making payments.
Answering Your Pressing Questions
Can you get a medical billing and coding degree online?
Earning a medical billing and coding degree online is an efficient and affordable way of advancing your career in the healthcare finance field. If you’re a working professional or someone looking for a flexible study schedule, an online medical billing and coding program may be a good fit. Since many programs offer asynchronous courses, you can access learning materials at any time, making it easier to earn a degree alongside a current job and other responsibilities.
How much are online medical billing and coding classes?
The cost of your medical billing and coding program depends on a variety of factors including the institution, program duration, and if a program involves a certificate or degree. Online medical billing and coding classes are typically more affordable than in-person classes since students don’t have travel costs. Although online programs are already more affordable, check with your institution’s financial aid department to see which scholarships or funding opportunities are available.
How do I get medical billing and coding certification?
Earning your medical billing and coding certification requires completing a certification exam. These include CPC certification, CCA certification, Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification, and several others. The right certification depends on your career goals and any specialties you wish to pursue. The exact specifications required to take a medical billing and coding certification exam vary. In general, you need a high school diploma or GED and to complete a medical billing and coding training program within the last five to 10 years. You may still be eligible to take the exam without any certification if you have recent, supervised work experience in medical billing and coding. Check each exam website for eligibility and preparation requirements.
Can the medical billing and coding exam be taken online?
You can take most medical billing and coding exams online using secure, third-party proctoring programs. Some may require that you report to an in-person testing center even if taking the test online.
