Finding a good, accredited medical billing and coding school in California can be a crucial step toward a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. After conducting a series of studies, I will give you information about the best accredited medical billing and coding school in California.
According to recent statistics, California boasts a network of educational institutions offering comprehensive programs in the field.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical billing and coding is one of the ten fastest-growing allied health occupations. Employment for medical records and health information is expected to increase by 8% within a decade.
If you are eager to embark on the journey towards a thriving profession in medical billing and coding, exploring the top-notch schools in the state is an essential first step.
How much does medical billing and coding pay in California?
Medical billers and coders in California earn a mean annual salary of $65,850. This makes California the second-highest paying state in the USA for medical billers and coders, just about $3,000 less than New Jersey at 68,500.
The mean pay of medical coders and billers in California is about $20,000 higher than the national average of $47,180. California also has the highest number of employed medical billers and coders. Looking at the statistics, I can confidently tell you that California is one of the best states to work in as a medical biller or coder (medical records specialist).
The raw data I used directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for more information and insights, see Medical Records Specialists.
The best state overall for medical billers and coder is surely Alaska. This is because Alaska has the highest concentration of medical records specialists with 4.41 of every 1,000 employed people in the state being medical records specialists. The state also has an annual mean wage of $56,210.
Francis Tisk.
Best accredited medical coding and billing institutions in California
The following institutions are the top 10 accredited medical coding and billing institutions in California, as selected by us at Bing Educate:
- High Dessert Medical College
- California Medical College
- American College of Healthcare
- Contra Costa Medical Career College
- Asher College
- Health staff training institutions
- Healthcare Career College
- North-West College
- Integrity College of Health
- Code Masters, Incorporated
High Dessert Medical College
Program Duration: 35 weeks.
High Dessert Medical College (HDMC) is a college that has received recognition at a national level and is well-established in the field of education. With over a decade of experience, their skilled and knowledgeable staff provide effective career training for students, thereby enabling them to excel in high-demand career paths.
They prioritize practical learning in a supportive setting to help their students achieve professional aspirations. High Desert Medical College has obtained accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). ACCET is a nationally recognized accrediting agency established by the United States Department of Education.
The medical billing and coding courses you will learn in this program include the following:
- Career Development
- Medical Office Procedure
- Electronic Health Record
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical billing and coding
- Externship
California Medical College
Program Duration: 128 study hours.
California Medical College is dedicated to offering students top-quality education and valuable practical training in a shorter duration, all at reasonable tuition fees. The medical courses at California Medical College are taught by certified physicians who are seasoned professionals and specialists.
The priority of the institution is to simplify the path to success for its students. The school provides free tutoring, certificate support, and help in finding employment, ensuring that their medical certification training stands out as one of the most advantageous options available.
Specific skills you will learn in this program include the following:
- Claim processing
- Healthcare payers
- Inpatient and outpatient Billing
- Medical coding
At the end of this program, you should be able to do the following:
- Show a fundamental grasp of body structure and medical language necessary to record patient details related to treatment and diagnoses correctly.
- Recognize various patient insurance schemes, confirm qualification, and display familiarity with the necessary claim forms (CMS 1500).
- Showcase proficiency in utilizing HCPCS, CPT, and ICD-10-CM manuals in practical settings.
- Become eligible for practical work experience and craft a resume that positions the student as a strong contender for job opportunities.
If you are interested in this school, jump right into its program page: Medical Billing and Coding San Diego.
American College of Healthcare
Program duration: nine months.
The American College of Healthcare is a well-established school for medical career training. It is situated across three campuses in Riverside, California. Santa Ana, California, and Huntington Park, California.
It is a suitable place if you are looking to lay the groundwork for a fulfilling career or to enhance your existing one. You can choose from various healthcare programs tailored to your needs.
The American College of Healthcare and Technology (ACHT) diligently adheres to the standards established by different accrediting bodies. This ensures that you receive the appropriate education, the campus and facilities meet required standards, and the faculty is accredited. The programs have accreditation from ABHES.
You will learn the following things in the program:
- Medical terminologies
- Medical office management
- Billing/coding
- Communication between medical officers and patients
- Assigning letters
- Numbers to disease
- Conditions, Injuries
- Medical procedures
- Speeding up the process of payment
Contra Costa Medical Career College
Contra Costa Medical Career College’s program for Medical Administrative Assistant/Billing and Coding Specialists helps students acquire the administrative skills essential in the field.
The curriculum integrates a comprehensive range of front-office topics aligned with current industry standards.
It encompasses vital aspects such as medical office management, maintaining medical records, client service skills, legal and ethical considerations, and client education.
The course equips students with the ability to manage health information and electronic health records effectively.
The program also provides comprehensive training to teach students how to accurately code patients’ medical records, ensuring optimal reimbursement for a diverse range of medical services.
The course covers many topics, including current procedural terminology, international classification of diseases, and healthcare procedure coding systems.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion in Medical Terminology along with a certificate for the Medical Administrative Assistant/Billing and Coding Specialist program.
You will also become eligible to take the National Certification exam through the NHA (National Healthcareer Association) for both Certified Medical Administrative Assistant and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist. Join the best medical coder and biller. For further information, see Conta Costa Medical Career College.
Asher College
Course duration: 10 months.
Asher College is an accredited school that teaches and offers certification for medical billing and coding in California and other states such as Las Vegas, Dallas, and Sacramento. Asher College is accredited by a prominent accreditation agency in the United States Department of Education known as ACCET.
Asher College teaches and offers multiple certifications in the medical field, business career programs, and IT career programs. Its medical career programs include the following:
- Pharmacy technician
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Health information specialist
- Medical records specialist
From my experience and research conducted this institution is a perfect option for busy or working-class people, this is because its medical billing and coding can be completed in 10 months with a flexible schedule.
This is because, without them, the healthcare industry will not be able to transmit the necessary data required for the payment of medical professionals.
In this program, you will learn the following topics:
- Ms. Essentials
- Typing fundamentals
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical Terminologies
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Electronic Health Records
- Advanced Billing and Reimbursement
- Advanced Physicians Coding
- Career Success
- Advance Career Development
If you are searching for a medical coding and billing school that offers financial support, Asher is one of them.
In addition to that, you will also have a high chance of getting employed after completing the program. This is due to the school’s partnerships with many organizations, such as CVS, Intel, Robert Half Technology, Envisions RA, Blue Shield, Sutter Health, and Caram Health Care, among others.
After completing the program, you will be eligible for the following certifications:
- CMAA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant/National Healthcareer Association
- CPB Certified Professional Coder / AAPC
- CEHRS Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist / National Healthcareer
- CPC-A Certified Professional Coder / AAPC
- CBCS Certified Billing and Coding Specialist / National Healthcareer Association
From my research, one of the advantages of Asher College is that you do not need to wait until the beginning of any session before enrolling. This is because the school is always open and enrollment is held every 2-4 weeks.
Health Staff Training Institution
Course duration: 240 Hours.
Health Staff Training Institution is an accredited medical biding and coding school, founded in 1989. This school will teach you the vital knowledge required to work in a healthcare organization.
Health Staff Training Institution will also teach you the basic skills required and provide opportunities to work in medical offices, home health agencies, skilled nurse facilities, medical billing service companies, clinics, and insurance companies.
The cost of learning medical billing and coding at this institution is $6,395. This cost includes the registration fee, tuition fee, and cost of equipment. You can learn online, in-person, or you choose the hybrid option. The learning schedule at this institution is flexible.
If you enroll in the medical billing and coding program offered by this institution, you will learn the following things:
- Career management and communication skills
- Medical office etiquette and ethics
- Medisoft and other computer programs
- Coding Techniques for CPT
- Coding Techniques for ICD-9 and ICD-10
If you are interested in this institution, check out its medical billing and coding program: Medical Billing and Coding – HealthStaff.
Healthcare Career College
Course duration: 11 months.
Healthcare Career College is an accredited school that offers certificates for medical coding and billing. This institution is accredited by the Council of Occupation Education and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
This school offers free certification and testing and also gives financial support to make learning easy. The tuition fee for this institution is affordable. You will also learn in an uncrowded setting free from distraction.
You will learn the following skills at this institution:
- Procedure and diagnostic coding
- Medical and dental office procedures
- Insurance billing and collections
For more information about the program from Health Career College, see Medical Biller and Coder Program.
North-West College
Course duration: Flexible.
North-West College is an online accredited institution that teaches and offers certification in medical coding and billing. In this institution, you will learn the skills required to be a medical coding and billing specialist.
From my experience and research, this institution is a good one. Unlike other traditional schools, learning at North-West College does not involve coming to the classroom. You can learn online at your own pace because you can pause your class and resume anytime.
You will learn the following modules in this program:
- Seminar for Success
- Medical Financial Procedures
- Secretarial
- Insurance I
- Insurance II
- Communications/Insurance III
- Computer
- Career Seminar
- Clinical Internship
Integrity College of Health
Course Duration: 9 months or 35 weeks.
Integrity College of Health (ICH) is an institution that offers certification for medical coding and billing. The certification offered by Integrity College of Health is a hybrid program; having a combination of online and in-person classes.
There are five modules in this program:
- Comprehensive Medical Billing and Coding Procedures
- Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology
- Current Medical Software
- How to prepare and file Insurance Claims
- How to Analyze Benefits
Learning in ICH is flexible; this makes it easy for you to work and learn at your own pace. However, you must have a high school diploma or other equivalent and pass the entrance exam. This institution is willing to make learning easy by providing financial aid.
Code Masters Incorporated
Course duration: nine months.
Code Master Incorporated is an online institution that provides quality and affordable education on medical coding and billing. Learning at this institution is flexible; you can work and learn at your own pace.
After completing your medical coding and billing training, you are given support to get a placement. In this placement, you will be able to work flexibly at your own pace.
How long does it take to become a medical coder in california?
Becoming a medical coder in California typically requires completing a training program, which ranges from several months to two years, depending on the certification or degree.
The duration varies based on the educational path chosen, including certificate programs, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees in medical coding.
At the end of your program(s), you will have to take a certification exam from an approved organization to get licensed.
How do I become a medical coder in CA?
To become a medical coder in California, the following steps should be considered:
- Obtain a high school diploma or GED: A high school diploma or equivalent is equally the first step toward pursuing a career in medical coding.
- Choose a medical billing and coding program: Those interested in pursuing this career path should carefully consider which educational program best suits their needs. Typically, students have three main choices: a certificate, a diploma, or an associate degree.
- Complete your course work: Finish your classes No matter how you decide to get your certificate or degree, most of the classes will focus on four important topics: rules about the law, health insurance, coding, and the human body. Because each program has its own specific thing to learn, the way they teach these subjects will be different.
- Prepare for your CPC certification exam: After you finish SJVC’s certificate or associate program, you should take the Certified Professional Coder exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is a certification for medical billing and coding. Although you do not always need this certification to work in the field, many employers see it as an important qualification for the job.
- Stay updated: As the field of medical coding continually evolves, staying informed about the latest coding guidelines, regulations, and industry trends is crucial for maintaining professional competence.
- Apply for positions: Once you have completed your training and obtained relevant certifications, start applying for entry-level medical coding positions in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, or other healthcare settings.
How much does a medical coder make an hour in california?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical billing and coding specialists in California earn $31.66 per hour.
This considerable salary range indicates potential for career growth and higher pay based on skills, location, and years of experience. Moreover, with an increasing demand for remote medical coders, there is a likelihood of more job opportunities and competitive wages in the field.
Conclusion
There are many medical billing schools out there, but choosing the right one will be very important in your journey toward attaining a successful medical billing and coding career. Medical coding and billing specialist is a lucrative and highly demanded job in healthcare organizations; do not relent in your journey towards a successful career in this field.