For those who are looking for a career change with steady pay, decent growth, and rewarding workdays, pursuing a position in medical billing and coding might be the next best step.
Medical billing and coding specialists ensure that providers receive compensation for the services, procedures, and treatments that they provide.
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- 5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Arkansas
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need an H.S. Diploma or GED to study Medical Billing & Coding in Arkansas?
- Do I need an interest in medicine to work in billing and coding?
- What kind of license or certificate do I need to become a medical coding specialist?
- Will I be working with patients as a medical billing and coding specialist in Arkansas?
- How much experience do I need to qualify for a billing and coding position in Arkansas?
5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) is the perfect choice for students who want a 100% online, flexible start educational experience while ending up with an associate’s that certifies them to practice medical billing and coding in the state of Arkansas.
The NACC program can accommodate education needs remotely, state-wide.
The virtual program teaches students the basic tools they need to enter this field, such as utilizing the Healthcare Common procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and the CPT Category II and ICD-10 codes.
Arkansas State University
For those on a time crunch and a budget, Arkansas State University’s Professional Medical Coding program might be the best fit.
This program only lasts one semester and offers affordable tuition rates per credit hour.
Best of all, it gives emerging billing and coding professionals the hands-on experience and software know-how they need to reimburse providers to the best of their abilities when they complete the program.
University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas offers a 100% remote six-week course as an introduction to the medical billing and coding field.
This course would be a great opportunity for someone who is deciding whether to pursue medical billing and coding as a job or look into other fields.
The course teaches the basics of medical billing and coding while introducing students to the CPT manual and IDC-10-CM, necessary documents in any medical coding and billing office.
AAPC
AAPC offers virtual and in-person options for 12-week medical coding classes.
These classes meet at regularly scheduled times and utilize the CPC curriculum.
AAPC prides itself as one of the premier resources for learning about the medical coding career and receiving quality training for a transition into this role.
Southeast Arkansas College
Southeast Arkansas College offers a Medical Coding Certificate, which has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
SEARK’s Medical Coding Program also opts for membership with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Students who choose Southeast Arkansas College’s Medical Coding Certificate program will appreciate dedicated, high-quality preparation for basic medical coding.
The program provides students with intense instruction and practice with procedural coding.
SEARK introduces students to the ICD 10-CM/PCS and CPT-4 classification systems.
This will serve students well after graduation.
Billing and Coding Schools in Arkansas – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Arkansas
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Northwest Arkansas Community College | 1 College Dr, Bentonville, AR 72712 |
| Arkansas State University | 2105 East, Aggie Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401 |
| University of Central Arkansas | 201 Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR 72035 |
| AAPC | 2736 Buckthorn Way Naples, Florida |
| Southeast Arkansas College | 1900 S Hazel St, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 |
Salary
According to Salary.com, “the average Medical Coder salary in the United States is $51,241 as of March 29, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $44,450 and $60,092.”
For medical coders in Arkansas, the median salary for medical coders tends to fall around $46,626 for those living in cities such as Bentonville, Arkansas.
Salaries are subject to vary because of factors such as location, demand, experience, and education level.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Biller and Coders in Arkansas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $38,000 |
| Fort Smith | $35,800 |
| North Little Rock | $38,000 |
| Fayetteville | $37,300 |
| Jonesboro | $37,700 |
| Pine Bluff | $36,700 |
| Springdale | $37,300 |
| Conway | $37,600 |
| Rogers | $37,100 |
| Hot Springs | $37,600 |
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 290 | $44,320 | $21.31 | $64,420 | $31,990 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 90 | $44,370 | $21.33 | $69,750 | $30,690 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 60 | $40,390 | $19.42 | $58,120 | $29,210 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 80 | $41,860 | $20.12 | $57,580 | $30,240 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 780 | $47,040 | $22.61 | $67,930 | $32,610 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 40 | $41,080 | $19.75 | $58,840 | $30,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an H.S. Diploma or GED to study Medical Billing & Coding in Arkansas?
To become a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, job seekers must first earn an associate’s degree in Medical Coding or a related major.
They may also receive alternative certifications, provided that these certifications are from an accredited program.
Most associate’s and post-secondary certification programs require an H.S. Diploma or equivalent.
It is always best to check with a school before applying to see what their current admissions requirements are.
Do I need an interest in medicine to work in billing and coding?
An interest in healthcare and a willingness to learn basic medical terminology are two important keys to success in medical billing and coding.
However, if someone is too squeamish to become a doctor but still passionate about helping people in the medical field, billing and coding can be a great way to get involved.
What kind of license or certificate do I need to become a medical coding specialist?
In the state of Arkansas, medical billing and coding professionals do not need to pay for a license or sit for a board exam to work in the field.
However, there is an optional voluntary certificate from the American Health Information Management Association that may benefit medical coding specialists at a professional level.
A certificate is not the same thing as a license.
Will I be working with patients as a medical billing and coding specialist in Arkansas?
Medical coding and billing specialists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, and medical clinics.
Some medical coding and billing specialists work away from the patients in their own department’s office, others work more closely with patients in a registration role and customer service.
How much experience do I need to qualify for a billing and coding position in Arkansas?
The bare minimum requirement to qualify for billing and coding specialist positions in Arkansas is a certificate or associate’s degree in Medical Coding or a related major.
This educational level may require an H.S. Diploma or equivalent.
More competitive or advanced roles may require years of experience, a bachelor’s degree, or both.
