Best Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Kentucky (KY)
If you’re looking for a remote and flexible role, a job in medical billing and coding in Kentucky may fit the bill. To help, we compiled all the resources required for you to enter this field, including the top school in the area.
Medical billing and coding is a fast-growing field with opportunities for remote roles and above-average job security. Typically, people in this field process administrative paperwork and organize patient healthcare data for hospital systems and smaller healthcare practices. Because this work is mainly administrative, it can be done from anywhere and often provides better work/life balance and adds up to less stress than other healthcare roles.
Plus, the process of becoming a medical biller or coder is relatively easy. In Kentucky, billing and coding professionals have to complete a certification program before they start work. These courses usually take less than a year to complete, and there are many accredited online medical billing and coding programs available.
If you want to learn more about this career field and how to enter it, you’re in the right place. This guide covers everything you need to know about medical billing and coding in Kentucky including the best online programs, financial aid opportunities, and how to spot an accredited program. It also details how much money you should expect to make after graduating and the rate at which this industry is growing in the state. Read on to discover the school that made it onto our list as the top choice in Kentucky.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Public
Features of Top Medical Billing/Coding Programs in Kentucky
Choosing a medical billing and coding certification is a big decision. The right choice puts you on the trajectory for a meaningful career. The wrong certification may not be recognized by employers and other academic institutions. To ensure you make the best choice, consider these factors.
Accreditation
This is the most important feature of any medical billing and coding certification. Without accreditation, your degree is not recognized by future employers. Generally, you want to look for institutional and programmatic accreditation.
For medical coding programs, find ones recognized by an industry organization. The two most popular organizations are the American Academy of Professional Coders and the Commission of Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The schools highlighted in this guide, such as Eastern Kentucky University, are fully accredited.
Certification Exam Preparation
Kentucky does not have a government-mandated exam for medical coders, which is unlike some other states. The minimum work requirement is the successful completion of a certificate program. To make your resume stand out, you can take an exam by an industry organization, such as the American Health Information Management Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Many schools, such as Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, even prepare students to sit for a certified medical coder exam.
Cost and Financial Aid
Cost is a key concern when looking at different certifications. Along with choosing one with low tuition, consider applying for additional financial aid such as student loans, scholarships, or grants. Coding Clarified is an aggregate website that can help you find privately funded scholarships while also making it easier to apply for these opportunities.
Your program may also have financial aid resources. At the University of Louisville, for example, medical coding students receive a voucher for 36% off the course price.
Curriculum and Specializations
Medical coding and billing is a vast field that features technologies which can change quickly. To stay up-to-date with these changes, many schools such as Sullivan University offer a specialization in medical technology. Others such as Kentucky Community and Technical College offer an opportunity for students to take electives in their areas of interest. When looking at different certification programs, consider your career interest and search for programs with aligned electives or specialized learning tracks.
Duration and Flexibility
The beauty of medical billing programs is that they take less than a year to complete. Some programs take as little as four weeks. However, if you’re working full-time or have other obligations while completing a program, the shortest program may not be the best, because it covers the curriculum in a quick and more intense time frame.
For those in need of flexibility, consider the program at Eastern Kentucky University. If speed is a top concern, consider Sullivan University.
Format
Medical billing and coding programs come in three formats: online, hybrid, and in-person. Each program type has advantages and disadvantages. For a rewarding experience, choose a program that aligns with your learning preferences and lifestyle.
For a hands-on approach, an in-person program such as the one at Campbellsville University is a great fit. To learn from the comfort of your home or on-the-go, consider an online certification like the one from Kentucky Community and Technical College. For a mix of both formats, consider hybrid programs like the one at Sullivan University.
Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Kentucky
Medical billers and coders make healthy salaries across the United States. After graduating, these professionals can expect to make somewhere between $35,000 and $77,000 per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data on all medical record specialists (including coders and billers).
However, those in Kentucky make below the national average, as reflected in the table below. Salaries are higher in certain parts of Kentucky, such as in the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox area. While coders and billers earn less in Kentucky, your money may go further than in other states. This is because Kentucky has a low cost of living, meaning goods and services cost less here than they would in other states, including nearby Tennessee and Ohio.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $35,080 | $53,690 | $77,810 |
| Kentucky | $31,760 | $46,840 | $64,810 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $34,680 | $46,600 | $62,330 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | $37,180 | $49,480 | $74,310 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $37,150 | $49,690 | $64,870 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $34,740 | $48,860 | $67,580 |
| Owensboro, KY | $32,350 | $46,130 | $53,340 |
| West Nonmetropolitan Area | $29,350 | $40,890 | $56,310 |
| South Central Nonmetropolitan Area | $28,600 | $41,780 | $58,350 |
| Central Nonmetropolitan Area | $30,500 | $46,610 | $64,470 |
| East Nonmetropolitan Area | $24,220 | $36,930 | $49,670 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
Career Outlook and Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kentucky is one of the five states with the highest concentration of medical records specialists. That means there are already ample opportunities in the field, including for medical billers and coders.
However, the open roles in Kentucky are expected to grow 0.1% slower than open roles in the country as a whole. Fortunately, 8.4% is still a healthy growth rate, making medical billing and coding a promising field for Kentucky residents.
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 28,600 | 8.5% | 27,400 |
| Kentucky | 520 | 8.4% | 510 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020 – 2030
Your Questions, Answered: Medical Billing & Coding Schools in KY
While this guide is a great start to your medical billing and coding journey, it doesn’t cover everything you need to know about the field. To address any remaining questions, we compiled the most asked questions about medical billing and coding in Kentucky.
How do I become a medical coder in Kentucky?
Becoming a medical coder in Kentucky is straightforward. Professionals must graduate from an accredited certification program. The state doesn’t have any licensing exams or other requirements.
How much does medical billing and coding pay in Kentucky?
Medical billers and coders in Kentucky earn a healthy amount, with an average salary of $46,840. While this is lower than the average for all Americans in this field, Kentucky also has a low cost of living, meaning your salary goes further in this state than it would in others like California or New York.
Is medical billing and coding worth it?
Medical billing and coding is worth it for many in the field, thanks to healthy salaries, job security, and ample opportunities to work remotely. However, the field isn’t for everyone, which is why it’s important to consider if this career path fits your values and preferred lifestyle before enrolling in a certification program.
Is medical billing and coding hard?
Like any other field, medical billing and coding comes with its challenges. The technology in this field moves quickly, meaning billers and coders can expect to be retrained on different tools and software throughout their careers. Coders and billers must also balance tech savviness with industry-specific knowledge, such as anatomy and medical terminology.
Is medical coding a good remote job?
A major selling point of the medical coding field is that many roles can be performed in a remote or hybrid capacity. Remote roles are a great fit for working parents and caregivers or those who want more work/life balance. For a better idea of who employs remote medical billers and coders, watch this video.
