Top Medical Billing and Coding Programs in South Dakota: Online & Campus
Popular online medical billing coding programs can open new career opportunities with the advantage of flexible work-from-home positions for people in South Dakota. Begin your career journey today.
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If you are thinking about pursuing a healthcare career but you’re not interested in direct patient care and prefer the comforts of working remotely, consider a career in the medical billing and coding field. It’s also great for people who enjoy working with computers and learning new programs, all while making an important contribution to the healthcare field.
People in the medical billing and coding profession are responsible for assisting with medical reimbursement, which means they must code medical procedures properly so that healthcare providers are paid by insurance companies. In order to do this, workers not only need to understand the procedures providers offer but also the corresponding codes used when submitting paperwork to health insurance companies.
This job comes with a lot of responsibility, and if you think you’re interested in tackling this challenge, you can get the training you need from online medical billing programs in South Dakota.
Continue reading to learn about online medical billing programs in SD and how they can prepare you for this career. You’ll see profiles of specific schools that offer this training, as well as information on the career outlook for the profession and how much workers earn.
Reputable Schools: Medical Billing & Coding Programs in South Dakota
Getting the right training is essential for starting your medical billing and coding career on the right foot. This means you need to find the best program for you. The following is a look at schools that offer online medical billing programs in South Dakota.
Dakota State University
Dakota State University has a healthcare coding certificate that can be earned entirely online or in a hybrid format for students who want to spend some of their time learning on campus. During their studies, people learn how to properly document patients’ symptoms and diseases in addition to the therapies, operations, and procedures they may undergo. Some of the specific courses students take include human health and biology, basic medical terminology, and the legal implications of healthcare.
In addition, students learn the technological side of the profession. This includes courses about computing basics and digital health informatics, as well as the ICD-10 CM/PCS coding classification systems professionals are expected to know.
To help people succeed after they’ve completed the program, Dakota State is partnered with the South Dakota Workforce and Innovation Opportunity Act program. Through WIOA, people who complete this online medical billing program in South Dakota have access to support that can help them navigate the state’s labor market and find employment in the field.
American Academy of Professional Coders
The medical billing and coding program offered by AAPC is designed to prepare students to earn the Certified Professional Coder and the Certified Professional Biller certifications when they have completed their coursework. Although not required for admission, there are some prerequisite classes that AAPC suggests students complete to be successful in the program. By taking the fundamentals of medicine, medical terminology, pathophysiology, and anatomy, students receive the foundation needed to understand program material and get a head start on certification exam preparation.
During a training course, students learn about the insurance claims process and the regulatory compliance healthcare professionals must understand when working with insurers. As a result, graduates are able to prepare and submit forms to insurance companies so providers can be paid for services in a timely manner. Students also gain expertise in the ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding standards.
Black Hills State University (in Partnership with Ed2Go)
The six-week medical coding program from Black Hills State University, which is provided online through Ed2Go, begins with medical coding basics. This gives students a look at the history of the profession so they understand the context for work in today’s field. Also, people study the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy.
Students then learn the realities of working as a medical biller and coder. This includes gaining an understanding of the ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems. In addition, there is instruction on how to code medical services related to different parts of the body, including the respiratory, endocrine, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems.
In order to participate in online classes, students must have a personal email account, a computer with at least Windows 8 or macOS 10.6, and the latest version of the web browser they use — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari — and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Billing Coding Students in South Dakota
If you’re wondering whether online medical billing programs in South Dakota are worth the time and money, check out the information below. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t specifically list medical biller and coder information, it does gather info for medical records specialists, which is a close match.
These types of healthcare professionals in the state do make a good living, according to the BLS. The pay range for this role around the state is $34,080 to $74,240, with the median salary being $49,950.
The salaries that records specialists in South Dakota earn are slightly less that the national average. Around the country, workers make between $35,080 and $77,810, and the median salary is $48,780.
However, the highest earners in South Dakota make more than the state and national salaries. The top earners are in Sioux Falls, where they earn $82,290 per year.
Also, BLS provides information about the professional outlook in the state. Between 2020 and 2030, there will be a 13.9 percent increase in jobs for this type of medical role in South Dakota. This means there will be 100 new positions created every year during this time.
On the national level, there will be an 8.5 percent increase in jobs for medical billers and coders, which will amount to 15,000 new jobs added to the profession annually.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,080 | $48,780 | $77,810 |
| South Dakota | $34,080 | $49,950 | $74,240 |
| Rapid City | $31,530 | $49,950 | $63,690 |
| Sioux Falls | $34,080 | $54,060 | $82,290 |
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 |
| South Dakota | 1,150 | 1,310 | 160 | 13.9% | 100 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Careers for SD’s Medical Billing and Coding Certified Students
Billing Analyst
Billing analysts are tasked with ensuring that an organization’s customers are invoiced correctly. These professionals work closely with a company’s accounting and finance departments to review billing statements for accuracy and make any corrections when errors occur.
In order to do this, billing analysts may conduct monthly reviews of invoices and balance sheets to confirm that information is accurate; conduct reviews of billing procedures in an organization and determine ways the process can be improved; and work with customers when they have inquiries about their invoices.
Coding Auditor
The accuracy of patient medical records is paramount to ensuring that people get the quality care they need and insurance companies pay the providers. A coding auditor is tasked with guaranteeing that these records are being coded correctly.
Auditors in this role perform duties such as conducting quality assurance and accuracy reviews of coders and reporting on any areas where they need to improve. This requires extensive knowledge of different types of medical codes and medical terminology, as well as a strong attention to detail.
Medical Record Coordinator
When medical records in a hospital or clinic need to be maintained, a medical record coordinator oversees this process. In addition to compiling and processing patient records, these professionals must maintain them based on several standards.
As a result, the medical record coordinator must be deeply familiar with regulatory standards in healthcare, along with the legal and ethical requirements of the field. They must also understand medical terminology and have strong communication skills, because they’re often required to collaborate with other medical professionals who work with patient files.
Reimbursement Specialist
A reimbursement specialist works with insurance companies so healthcare providers can receive payment for their services. They’re required to collect insurance information from patients, verify that all of the information is accurate, and submit the necessary paperwork for reimbursement. In the event that a claim is denied, these professionals file an appeal to help providers get the payments they deserve.
Answering Your Pressing Questions
Is it worth studying medical coding and billing?
Yes, it is worth it to complete an online medical billing program in SD. This is because professionals will see growth in the field in the coming years. Between 2020 and 2030, according to Projections Central, there will be a 13.9 percent increase in jobs. It is also worth studying medical billing and coding because professionals can earn annual salaries that are between $34,080 and $74,240.
How much is medical billing and coding training?
The tuition for medical billing and coding training depends on where you enroll. For example, Dakota State University charges a per-credit rate of $354.75 for in-state students and $464.90 per credit for those from other states. Students in the program offered by Black Hills State University (in partnership with Ed2Go) pay a flat $135 rate.
How long is a medical billing and coding program?
Online medical billing programs in South Dakota can be completed relatively quickly, so students are able to begin their careers in a timely manner. This training can take about one year to complete, though some programs can be finished within a matter of weeks.
How do I find an accredited online medical billing and coding program?
The best way to find out if an online medical billing program in South Dakota is accredited is to get information from the school. It may be posted on a program’s website, or you may want to call or email a school to find out accreditation information.
