Utah Medical Billing & Coding Schools and Salary Guide

Have you ever considered a Utah billing and coding position in a medical office instead of taking patient temperatures, drawing blood, or other close-contact services?

Licensing Requirements to Become a Utah Medical Billing & Coding Specialist

You do not need a license from the state of Utah to become a billing and coding specialist.

However, you do have to follow the guidelines set by the learning institutions you are your preferred certification body.

For instance, you should have already completed your high school diploma or a GED, during which time you could take courses to prepare you for college.

Then, you will want to find a school that trains you in the subjects required to pass your exam hosted by one of three major organizations.

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The AAPC has received recognition as the largest billing and coding certificate association in the United States.

Most people start out with the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) training.

Then, they may decide to pursue specialized certificates, so they can use the codes required for the medical setting they prefer to work in.

You could become a Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) or a Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRAC), for instance.

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

AHIMA provides several credentials, including the Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®), or Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P®).

This certification body also provides advanced verification of skills, such as with the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

National Health Career Association (NHA)

The NHA could start you off with the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) credential.

Then, you could become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS).

Otherwise, you can become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

Additional Associations

You might not hear of these associations as often as you do the AAPC, AHIMA, and NHA.

However, that does not make them any less legitimate.

You could seek specialized credentials from the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS), Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), and the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC).

4 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Utah

1. University of Utah

The University of Utah does have a Medical Coding and Billing track.

Alternatively, you could enroll in the Pharmacy Technician with Healthcare Billing online program, which would train you for pharmacy technician and billing and coding certification.

While enrolled in this coursework, you could study for the PTCB test and the CBCS exam.

With your training, you receive a voucher for the exam cost.

During this time, you will also receive hands-on training opportunities.

2. Ogden-Weber Technical College

Ogden-Weber officers a Medical Coding and Billing Specialist certificate program.

With this training, you will gain insight on how to comply with federal standards and insurance requirements for hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, or long-term stay facilities.

In addition, you will become proficient in applying health diagnosis and treatment codes when processing patient medical records and invoices.

Likewise, you will learn all the medical terminology you need to provide the foundation for remembering the alphanumeric classifications you need to use.

This course also teaches you interpersonal skills, such as basic telephone etiquette because you’ll need to talk to patients. Combine this training with hands-on experience.

3. Utah Valley University

This school provides both medical billing and medical coding training through CareerStep online.

Each track takes about 12 months to complete.

You could use your instruction to prepare you for the CBCS exam, for which you would receive a voucher.

Your preferred coursework includes about 10 modules, and you work through these mini-classes until finished.

Learn the background terminology you need for working in a medical setting and coding used for different purposes, such as in a pharmacy or doctor’s office.

4. Salt Lake Community College

This Medical Coding & Billing (KMC2) program prepares students to work in a physician’s office, urgent care center, hospital, or nursing home.

Your time spent in this training could also equip you for outpatient billing or coding.

This instruction includes an introduction to broad concepts, such as anatomy, physiology, and medical terms.

These foundational courses provide you with a context that makes it easier to remember alphanumeric abbreviations.

This SLCC training includes 780 hours of courses, of which full and part-time students must commit to either 24 or 12 hours to complete.

This equals about 32 or 64 weeks.

Billing and Coding Schools in Utah – Summary Table

Salary

A report from April 2022 reveals that Utah billing and coding specialists make an average of $41,167.

The earnings usually range from $38,307-$45,014.

You could earn $48,517 or more with every new certification you earn.

Besides Salt Lake City, you can find jobs in Provo, Riverton, and Ogden.

Regional Salary in Utah