Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Oklahoma (Programs & Salary Information)

Oklahoma employs the second most medical billers and coders in the country.

Medical coding and billing is an administrative sector of the healthcare system that is relatively easy to enter.

If you live in Oklahoma and want to learn more about this occupation, read on!

Medical Billing – Requirements, Exam, Certification

The first thing to know about this field is that the person hired in this position is in charge of creating medical invoices for the facility employing them.

The individual received proper training and certification, after passing an exam.

These are the requirements for this occupation:

• Obtaining an associate’s degree – recommended but not mandatory
• Already being familiar with or undergoing training for these topics:
  • Anatomy
  • Medical terms
  • Pathophysiology
• Become an AAPC member
• Score a minimum of 70% on the exam

The exam costs $399, is administered by AAPC, and if you pass it, you’ll become a Certified Professional Biller (or CPB).

Should you fail the exam, you can retake it for free, if less than 12 months passed.

Medical Coding – Requirements, Exam, Certification

Many processes in the healthcare industry have been made easier thanks to the shortcodes invented by AAPC.

Requirements for the position:

• High school diploma or GED
• Knowledge of anatomy
• Knowledge of medical terms
• Earn the AAPC certification

The coding field has a few specializations:

• Certified Outpatient Coder
• Certified Inpatient Coder
• Certified Risk Adjustment Coder
• Certified Professional Coder

To earn the certification, you’ll need a score of at least 70% on the test with 150 questions and lasts for 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Undergoing some training before the exam increases your chances to pass.

The following books are allowed during the exam:

• AMA’s CPT Professional Edition
• Your choice of ICD-10-CM code manual
• Your choice of HCPCS Level II code manual

A certified coder turns the information found in medical records into shortcodes.

There are 3 sets of codes you’re expected to know really well:

• CPT,
• ICD-10-CM,
• HCPCS Level II

Getting Trained

AAPC  is the main institution where training for both billing and coding is offered through such classes that are organized at various colleges across Oklahoma too.

Those attending classes at one of these colleges can even earn their Associate’s degree, for better career prospects and salary.

AAPC is the best source for medical coding classes, as it offers the certifications for all the specializations.

All classes last for less than a year, with some allowing you to complete them in not more than 6 months.

Future medical billers will learn about:

• Te various codes
• The different types of insurance plans
• The local and national coverage determinations
• The payer policies,
• The rules and regulations in the healthcare industry, especially those related to billing
• The life cycle of a billing claim for the medical world

AAPC, as well as some of the schools, offers help with job placement to those becoming certified.

To increase their chances, a double certification for coding and billing is mandatory.

Expected Salary and Other Information

Your experience, earned degrees, location, and certifications will influence your salary the most.

In Oklahoma, you’ll want to search for a job in cities like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, or Broken Arrow, though other good locations also exist.

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

The most important employers in Oklahoma, in this administrative field, are:

• Arbuckle Memorial Hospital, where employees receive health, dental, life and vision coverage, a 403b plan, and other benefits.
• The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, where the staff is offered paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and the possibility of joining the smoking cessation program, among others.
• Duncan Regional Hospital where the following perks are made available to the personnel: paid days off, health, dental, vision and life insurance, long term disability, and more.

Medical Billing and Coding Classes by City

Medical Billing and Coding Classes by State