Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Arkansas
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Arkansas State University – Mountain Home
Arkansas State University – Mountain Home offers professional certificate and associate degree programs at its campus in north central Arkansas. Established in 1995 as a satellite campus of Arkansas State University, the school offers academic programs in business, computer information systems, nursing, criminal justice, and allied health which includes a professional medical coder certificate.
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Black River Technical College
Black River Technical College is a two-year public college that confers professional certificates and associate degrees in Pocahontas, Ark. Founded in 1972 as a vocational technical school, the college seeks to meet the professional and academic needs of students in northeast Arkansas. The college has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1997, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
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Heritage College – Little Rock
Heritage College – Little Rock is one of eight Heritage College campuses in the United States. The Little Rock location offers professional certificates in X-ray medical technology, pharmacy technology, personal training, massage therapy, and healthcare administration. The college has been accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools since 2009.
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Remington College – Little Rock Campus
The medical billing and coding training program at Remington College – Little Rock Campus requires a completed externship, which exposes students to the real-world work environment.
General Arkansas Medical Billing and Coding Information
- Number of Medical Billing and Coding Employees in Arkansas: 1,490
- Average Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Arkansas: $32,200
- 90th Percentile Salary: $48,590
- 10th Percentile Salary: $19,540
Salary Averages – West South Central Region
Unemployment in Arkansas is on the decline, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports. In December of 2011, the unemployment rate was 7.6%. As of June 2012, that number had decreased to 7.2%. As the unemployment rate declines, the availability of employment increases, which is excellent news for Arkansas citizens who are looking for work.
In particular, education and healthcare jobs have increased since December of 2011, according to the BLS. Job prospects for prospective medical billing and coding professionals are improving. The list below, which has been derived from the BLS, elaborates on the state of employment for medical billers and coders.
Certified medical billers and coders have the best job prospects. To become certified, professionals must take a certification examination. In particular, AAPC medical coding certification is offered through many medical billing and coding programs, some of which may be taken online, in the classroom, or in hybrid format. These programs prepare students for the exam by teaching them coding languages, medical terminology, billing procedures, anatomy, and medical ethics.
Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Arkansas
Three significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals are:
Baptist Health
- Address: 9601 Baptist Health Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72205
- Email Address: info@baptist-health.org
- Phone Number: 1-888-227-8478
- Website: www.baptist-health.com
Baptist Health has served Arkansas communities for more than 80 years. It encompasses hospitals, clinics, wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and therapy clinics. A not-for-profit center, Baptist Health seeks to give Arkansas residents the medical care they deserve. Employees can look forward to a range of benefits, including dental plans, health insurance plans, retirement plans, preschool options, free parking, and tuition assistance.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
- Phone Number: (501) 686-7000
- Website: www.uamshealth.com
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) consists of multiple colleges, a graduate school, education centers, and institutions that seek to educate future Arkansas doctors, while also providing quality medical care. UAMS has 373 patient rooms and 64 bassinets for newborns. In addition to providing hospital services, UAMS now also has a new Psychiatric Research Institute. There are more than 10,000 UAMS employees, some of whom qualify for sign-on bonuses and benefits.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Address: 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202
- Phone Number: (501) 364-1100
- Website: www.archildrens.org
A non-profit hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in the state. It has 316 beds, which serve children until they turn 21. Its mission is to provide affordable health care for children across the state and throughout the rest of the nation. Employees benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, and retirement plans.
Top Cities in Arkansas for Medical Billing and Coding Careers
Below is a list of the top cities in Arkansas that employ medical billing and coding professionals. It is compiled from information provided by the BLS.
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Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers AR-MO
The 230 medical billers and coders that reside in this Arkansas area average $16.11 an hour or $33,500 a year. The top 10% earns $52,550 annually, on average, while the bottom 10% earns $20,410.
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Fort Smith AR-OK
Fort Smith employs 190 medical billing and coding professionals, who make an average salary of $13.85 hourly or $28,820 yearly, which puts this area among the lowest paying areas in Arkansas. The bottom 10% earns a low $16,780 a year, while the top 10% earns $46,600 a year.
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Hot Springs AR
There are only about 50 medical billers and coders in the Hot Springs area of Arkansas. However, they make an average annual salary of $32,690 or an average hourly salary of $15.72. The top 10% of medical billers and coders in this area makes $43,160, while the bottom 10% makes $24,170.
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Jonesboro AR
The city of Jonesboro employs approximately 80 medical billing and coding professionals. The top 10% of that number earns $50,390 annually, while the bottom 10% earns $20,550. The average professional brings in a salary of $14.88 hourly or $30,950 yearly.
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Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway AR
The Little Rock area houses the second-largest population of medical billers and coders in Arkansas. Here, the 480 medical billing and coding professionals earn an average salary of $36,510 a year or $17.55 an hour. The top 10% earns $50,840, while the bottom 10% earns $22,100.
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Memphis TN-MS-AR
A large metropolitan area, the most medical billing and coding professionals are concentrated here. On average, the 1,250 medical billers and coders in this area earn $16.55 hourly or $34,420 yearly. The top 10% brings in $56,070, on average, while the bottom 10% earns $20,490.
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Pine Bluff AR
Pine Bluff employs approximately 100 medical billing and coding professionals, who average an annual salary of $30,130 or an hourly salary of $14.48. Meanwhile, the top 10% of medical billers and coders in Pine Bluff earns $48,760 annually, while the bottom 10% earns $18,460 annually.
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Texarkana-Texarkana TX-AR
The Texarkana area employs the same amount of medical billing and coding professionals as the Pine Bluff area: 100. In this area, however, medical billing and coding professionals earn a higher average salary — $15.73 hourly or $32,710 yearly. The bottom 10% earns $17,980, while the top 10% earns $46,680.
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Central Arkansas nonmetropolitan area
Central Arkansas employs 90 medical billers and coders, who average $12.84 an hour or $26,700 a year, which are fairly low wages compared to the rest of the state. The bottom 10% only earns $16,700, while the top 10% earns $42,570.
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East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area
The 120 medical billers and coders who live in East Arkansas make an average salary of $13.50 an hour or $28,080 a year. The top 10% earns $46,160, while the bottom 10% earns $17,450.
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South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area
The South Arkansas area is home to 100 medical billing and coding professionals, who average an hourly salary of $13.71 or an annual salary of $28,520. The bottom 10% earns $16,920, while the top 10% earns $45,690.
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West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area
West Arkansas employs 90 medical billers and coders, who bring home an average yearly salary of $26,340 or an average hourly salary of $12.66. The top 10% earns $37,070, while the bottom 10% earns $17,910.