Countless educational and job opportunities exist for those seeking a career in the medical billing and coding field.
This profession is growing due to growth within the overall healthcare sector, which means medical billers and coders have many employment choices.
This possibility type can open an entirely new future that is comprised of job stability and earning potential.
Best of all, it does not take a significant educational or time commitment to become a medical biller and coder in Ohio.
To learn more about this growing and required professional, keep reading!
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5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Ohio
Many schools across Ohio offer medical billing and coding programs, including:
Belmont College
Belmont College offers a medical coding certificate in which students develop an understanding of medical coding, gain knowledge of terminology, pathophysiology, physiology, and anatomy, and eventually master medical coding.
The tuition cost at Belmont College is $3,600 for in-state and $6,000 for out-of-state students.
Cuyahoga Community College
At Cuyahoga Community College, students can earn a certificate as a medical billing specialist.
Through this program, students learn medical terminology, standardized coding, reimbursement practices, web and information technology, OIG and HIPAA compliance, fraud and abuse, processing insurance claims, and appeal and denials.
This program can be completed in-person or online and has an in-state tuition of $4,000 and out-of-state of $7,500.
Eastern Gateway Community College
Eastern Gateway Community College has a medical coding certificate with an online option available.
Tuition for this certificate is $3,500 for in-state students and $4,300 for out-of-state attendees.
This program will teach students about the coding system, surgical and medical procedures, and no-physician services.
Upon completion of the certificate, students can sit for the CCA exam.
Fortis College – Cincinnati
Fortis College at Cincinnati offers a medical billing and coding training program where you can earn an associate degree.
Coursework is a balance of small group instruction and traditional classroom with topics including medical terminology, medical coding techniques, and office management.
The tuition cost to earn this degree is $15,000, whether you’re in-state or out of state, and the program length is around two years.
Terra State Community College
Terra State Community College offers a certified medical billing and coding specialist certificate in a fully online course format.
Coursework includes how to use the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, ICD-10, and the CPT Category II codes along with hands-on practice using related software.
Following program completion, you will receive a voucher to take the CBCS, CCA, or CPC exam.
In-state tuition costs $4,442, while out-of-state tuition is almost $7,000.
The certificate program lasts under one year.
Billing and Coding Schools in Ohio – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Ohio
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Belmont College | 68094 Hammond Rd, St Clairsville, OH 43950 |
| Cuyahoga Community College | 4250 Richmond Rd, Highland Hills, OH 44122 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College | 4000 Sunset Blvd, Steubenville, OH 43952 |
| Fortis College – Cincinnati | 11499 Chester Rd Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
| Terra State Community College | 2830 Napoleon Rd, Fremont, OH 43420 |
Salary
Nationally, the average salary of a medical coder is around $51,000 with pay ranging from $38,000 to $68,000.
Medical coders in Ohio are right on par with the national median and pay range.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Biller and Coders in Ohio
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $40,500 |
| Cleveland | $40,600 |
| Cincinnati | $40,100 |
| Toledo | $39,700 |
| Akron | $39,400 |
| Dayton | $39,900 |
| Antwerp | $38,100 |
| Youngstown | $39,000 |
| Canton | $39,300 |
| Lorain | $39,900 |
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 490 | $50,880 | $24.46 | $71,710 | $35,990 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 170 | $46,590 | $22.4 | $62,980 | $32,040 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,480 | $52,250 | $25.12 | $71,850 | $37,280 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 1,260 | $54,780 | $26.34 | $74,230 | $37,120 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,300 | $53,820 | $25.87 | $74,780 | $37,280 |
| Dayton, OH | 440 | $50,220 | $24.14 | $71,130 | $35,910 |
| Lima, OH | 130 | $46,760 | $22.48 | $69,250 | $31,820 |
| Mansfield, OH | 40 | $44,570 | $21.43 | $62,160 | $34,200 |
| Springfield, OH | 40 | $44,530 | $21.41 | $60,090 | $27,030 |
| Toledo, OH | 350 | $47,100 | $22.64 | $62,550 | $35,430 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 160 | $41,800 | $20.1 | $57,430 | $30,270 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Ohio State licensing requirements for becoming a medical biller and coder?
Ohio’s Government has no formal licensing requirements for medical billers and coders.
This means those who choose this profession can work in across a variety of healthcare facilities ranging from hospitals and ambulatory services to health clinics, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and even law firms that deal with healthcare law.
Each of these facilities requires medical coders and billers to properly document patient health information.
What certification requirements exist in Ohio?
One of the quickest methods of gaining employment in this field is to earn a certification from a post-secondary school that provides medical billing and coding training.
Certificate programs can be completed in around nine months and cover medical coding, healthcare documentation, and medical terminology.
Also, earning a two-year associate degree in Medical Billing and Coding is an adequate form of certification required by employers.
Who administers the national certification exams?
After completing a medical billing and coding program, you will have the required skills to pass the national certification exams.
These examinations are administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Earning a certification from either of these organizations will improve your chances of finding a job.
It is important to note that while certifications are not mandatory in Ohio, potential employers highly regard them.
What educational requirements are necessary to enroll in a program?
Having a high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational prerequisite for enrolling in a medical billing and coding program, as required by the state.
However, you do not need additional credits or school to begin this education.
Many institutions and colleges request copies of high school transcripts as a standard part of their admissions process.
Is a medical biller and coder the same job?
No, medical billing and coding training is combined during the educational process, but there are many differences in the actual position.
Some companies hire candidates to perform both while others have separate roles.
Medical billers focus on generating accurate patient bills (claims), which includes verifying medical codes, applying precise details of every insurance policy, and reviewing patient histories.
The job duties of a medical coder include translating medical services into standardized reporting codes, which is an independent role that does not have much direct supervision.
Medical coders take medical reports and write descriptions of the numerous services a patient received to assign the appropriate code.
These codes then appear on insurance claims, which are critical to the medical billing process.
