Best Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Wisconsin

Medical billing and coding not only brings you the confidence that you’re doing something crucial for patients but also brings the income and job security you need to make sure you and your own family are doing well. Those who want to get started right away are in luck, as medical billing and coding programs take anywhere from a few months to a few years. Choose the one that best suits your needs and aligns with your busy schedule.

Once you choose the program you want, you might be pleased to learn it’s entirely online. This allows you to work at your own pace and gives you even more incentives to fit higher education into your already-packed schedule. Online learning is also a boon for those who have children and other family obligations, as you can attend class at a time that’s most convenient.

Learn more about medical billing and coding programs in Wisconsin and what you can expect from a medical billing and coding career after graduation. Read on to see which schools made their way onto our list as the greatest options for prospective students like you.

Important Features of Top Programs

Not all medical billing and coding programs are created equal. Some programs stand out from others in terms of accreditation, cost, and more. Here are the points to consider when choosing the best program for you in Wisconsin.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an absolute must for medical billing and coding programs in the state of Wisconsin. Accreditation means that the program or school has been evaluated by an independent accrediting body and found to meet the standards of a high-quality education. Without accreditation, your degree or certification isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on – and that means you might not get hired, no matter how well you did in the program.

Two accrediting bodies specifically focus on accreditation for medical billing and coding: the Commission for Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education and the American Academy of Professional Coders. If the program is accredited by one of these organizations, that information should be listed on the website. However, keep in mind that regional accreditation for the school itself can be enough to satisfy an employer’s requirements.

Certification Exam Preparation

Most people can’t simply walk into their certification exam with no study time and be ready to ace it. That’s why so many schools include certification exam prep as part of their curriculum. This might be incorporated into the program or offered separately after the program ends. Either way, the preparation can make you a stronger test-taker and help you review the essentials before the big day.

A good example of this is the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The program offers not only exam preparation but also a voucher to cover the cost of the exam. Students can choose from one of three exams that help move their career forward in the direction they want to take.

Cost and Financial Aid

The cost of a medical billing and coding program might not seem affordable at first blush, but that’s where financial aid comes in. Many students receive financial aid in the form of grants or scholarships that can help defray the cost. Some students take out loans to cover the remaining costs. Keep in mind that the stated tuition price is just the baseline – that number often goes down when financial aid is applied.

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (most commonly referred to as the FAFSA) is the first step toward getting financial aid to help cover program costs. Applying for scholarships can also help. Nationwide scholarships, such as the Scholarship of Excellence from the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, are a great option. Colleges in Wisconsin also offer in-house scholarships for students and scholarships for students in special categories or demographics, such as veterans.

Curriculum and Specializations

Though much of the curriculum is the same across schools, some allow students to specialize in areas of medical billing and coding that interest them the most, including coding in dermatology, oncology, pediatrics, and the like. These specializations are often incorporated into the curriculum and allow students to practice broadening their coding and billing experience.

The certification you choose can make a difference as well. For instance, you can opt to work as a certified inpatient coder (where you would work in a hospital or rehabilitation center), a certified outpatient coder (working in – you guessed it – outpatient services), and even a certified professional medical auditor, where you double-check the work of others.

Duration and Flexibility

How long the program lasts can make a big difference to those who want to get started in allied health careers as soon as possible. Medical billing and coding programs can be completed in only a few months; for instance, the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire allows students a maximum of 12 months to complete the program.

Some schools require more time than that, however; at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, students take at least three terms (or semesters) to complete the program. Other programs take only four weeks and are fully online. Before you make a decision, look into accelerated programs carefully to determine if they’re right for you.

Format

There are three formats for medical billing and coding programs: fully online, hybrid, or in person. In-person programs must be completed at a physical location and require a lot of time in a classroom. Hybrid programs offer some courses online while others are in person. And the fully online programs are just that – all courses are taken online. You might not even visit a campus during the program.

Most schools in Wisconsin offer their medical billing and coding programs online, though some do require on-campus visits, proctoring for certain tests, or taking those tests in a location that has been designated by the school.

Salary and Career Outlook in Wisconsin

Once you've completed your medical billing and coding education, it's natural to wonder about your career prospects in Wisconsin—and the kind of salary you can expect once you start working. On the first point, there's good news. Medical billing and coding professionals are projected to be increasingly in demand, with an estimated 8.5% growth rate over the next decade nationally, which is well above average. In Wisconsin, the outlook is even brighter, as medical billing and coding jobs in the Badger State are projected to grow at an even higher rate of 11.2% over the next ten years. You can expect not only plenty of job opportunities but also a decent salary, with the average medical billing and coding professional in Wisconsin earning $51,870 annually. The expected salary is even higher in densely populated and higher cost-of-living areas; for instance, in Appleton, as shown in the table below, the median medical billing and coding worker earns an average of $59,650 per year.

Medical Billing & Coding Schools FAQs for Wisconsin Students

Do you still have questions about medical billing and coding in the Badger State? We’ve got the answers you need to make an informed decision about which program might be right for you.

How do I become a medical coder in Wisconsin?

It all starts with the education. Expect to take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete your program, depending upon the school you choose. Preparation for your exam comes next. You can choose between three potential examinations, each of which certify you to handle medical billing and coding for a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and more.

How much does medical billing and coding pay in Wisconsin?

That depends upon where you live and work in the state. The average for the state is about $54,000, but the range stretches from about $36,000 to over $76,000. Much of what you earn depends upon your experience, your years in the business, and your employer.

Is medical billing and coding worth it?

Many find that working in medical billing and coding, especially if you’re working in a remote office, gives you a lot of freedom and satisfaction. Many also find that the job outlook is great and the pay is on par with what they’d expect from allied health professions.

Is medical billing and coding hard?

The answer to that depends upon your passion and dedication. For some, working with numbers just makes sense – for others, working with numbers is a little terrifying. Those who want to work in the field might have to apply themselves harder if they’re among those who are wary of numbers. But many thousands of students pass the test and wind up in good-paying jobs after their program is over.

Is medical coding a good remote job?

That depends upon your employer. While some prefer to have their coders right there on the health facility campus, others are more than happy to allow you to work from home. Since medical coding is quite information-heavy and performed almost exclusively on a computer, working remotely isn’t a stretch. If that option is important to you, check with your potential employer before you sign any employment paperwork to determine if you can work remotely.