Unfortunately for Tennessee, the state was among the least prepared when the announcement was made that federal regulations would mandate the use of electronic health records by the year 2015. However, Tennessee has made up for this lack of preparedness by pushing for programs within the state to offer medical billing and coding courses to students across Tennessee. One such program, the Dyersburg State Community College, had agreed to offer new medical billing and coding programs to all students across the state.
Tennessee regularly offers medical billing and coding training programs (sometimes with state grants making the program free of charge) in an effort to prepare students for emerging health information technology jobs. Each Tennessee medical billing and coding program is designed to prepare the student for a National Competency Exam for medical professionals, as well as to equip them with the knowledge and tools that he or she needs to become a medical biller and coder that handles electronic medical records.
General Tennessee Medical Billing and Coding Information
- Number of Medical Billing and Coding Employees in Tennessee: 3,310
- Average Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Tennessee: $31,000
- 90th Percentile Salary: $46,970
- 10th Percentile Salary: $19,620
Medical Billing and Coding Training and Education in Tennessee
Dyersburg State Community College
Medical Coding Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as coding professionals. Program topics include ICD-9 coding, CPT coding, HCPCS Level II coding, and medical terminology. Many textbooks can be purchased directly from AHIMA. After completing this program, students may take the Certified Coding Associate exam administered by AHIMA. After two years of work experience, students may go on to take the Certified Coding Specialist exam or the Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based exam. The program consists of 30 credit hours divided into two semesters. Tuition and fees for a full-time state resident total approximately $3,103.
Nashville State Community College
Medical Coding Technical Certificate
The Medical Coding Certificate program is intended to provide entry-level skills for those wanting to begin careers in coding medical records. Certification exams are provided by the AAPC and AHIMA. If students wish to pursue an A.A.S. degree in Healthcare Management with a Coding Concentration, they may transfer all of the required credits from this program. This program consists of 30 hours to be completed in three semesters and includes courses such as Anatomy and Physiology, ICD-9 Coding, CPT Coding, and Insurance and Reimbursement. In-state tuition is $118 per credit hour.
Pellissippi State Community College
Medical Insurance Coding and Reimbursement Certificate
This program prepares students for employment in medical insurance and healthcare claim processing. The program comprises 19-25 credits, including courses such as Medical Terminology, Medical Insurance Coding, Insurance Billing & Coding, and Health Care Insurance Survey. After successful completion of the program, students may take the professional certification exam offered through the AAPC or AHIMA. Students may also apply certificate credits toward an associate’s degree in Administrative Professional Technology-Health Care Office Administration. Tuition and fees for in-state students is $162 per credit hour.
Tennessee AAPC CPC Exam Information
- City: Cleveland
- Proctor Name: Lara Louderback, CPC
- Registration Deadline: 11/6/2011
- Exam Date: 12/04/2011
- City: Chattanooga
- Proctor Name: Charlotte Kathleen Davis, CPC
- Registration Deadline: 11/12/2011
- Exam Date: 12/10/2011
- City: Cookeville, TN
- Proctor Name: Debbie Sue Cook, CPC
- Registration Deadline: 11/19/2011
- Exam Date: 12/17/2011
Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Tennessee
Three significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals in Tennessee are:
Centennial Medical Center
Part of the TriStar Health System, CMC at Ashland opened its doors in July 1987 and today has 12 inpatient beds and over 100 physicians. Services offered include 24/7 emergency care, post-acute care, rehab, and diagnostic imaging. Benefits at CMC include medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage, life insurance plans, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement, a 401k, and other perks.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center
- Address: 1 Medical Center Boulevard, Cookeville, TN 38501
- Email Address: Click here to access their contact form.
- Phone Number: 931-528-2541
- Website: www.crmchealth.org
CRMC is a 247-bed facility employing over 140 physicians in 36 specialties. These specialties include sleep disorders, outpatient rehab and therapy, sports medicine, surgical services, and more. Employee benefits at CRMC include group life and AD&D coverage, enrollment in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), a 401k, paid time off, short-term disability banks, a 529 college savings plan, a 457 retirement plan, and long term disability.
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
- Address: 2018 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37901-5010
- Email Address: Click here to access their contact form.
- Phone Number: 865-541-8000
- Website: www.etch.com
Open since 1937, ETCH is a 152-bed facility that treats thousands of children each year. The pediatric services offered include gynecology, neonatology, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, and others. The benefits of working at ETCH include health, dental, life, and vision insurance, the option to join a credit union, on-the-job training, paid time off, paid holidays, and more.
Top Cities in Tennessee for Medical Billing and Coding Careers
1. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN
Twenty-two percent of medical billers and coders in Tennessee can be found in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin metropolitan area, where the highest wages in the state can be found along with approximately 730 workers. The average hourly wage is $16.71, highest in the state but still lower than the national average. The average annual wage is $34,750, also highest in the state but lower than the national average. The tenth percentile wage is $20,990 per year and the ninetieth percentile wage is $51,680.
2. Memphis, TN
The highest concentration of medical billers and coders in Tennessee work in Memphis. About 840 workers make up a quarter of the state total. The average worker makes $15.30 an hour and $31,830 per year. The annual tenth percentile wage is second-highest in the state, $21,120, and the annual ninetieth percentile wage is $47,740.
3. Chattanooga, TN
There are about 290 medical billers and coders in Chattanooga, where the average hourly wage is $15.65, second-highest in the state, and the average annual wage is $32,540, also second-highest in the state. The highest earning bracket makes $50,620 annually while the lowest makes $20,840 annually.
4. Clarksville, TN
In Clarksville there are approximately 60 medical billers and coders. The average hourly wage is $15.09 and the average yearly wage is $31,380. The lowest ten percent of wages is highest in state, $22,290, and the highest ten percent of wages is $47,460.
5. Johnson City, TN
Around 140 medical billers and coders work in Johnson City. The hourly mean wage is $14.70 and the annual mean wage is $30,580, both below the national and state averages. The annual tenth percentile wage is $18,780, below national and state averages, and the annual ninetieth percentile wage is $50,120.
6. Knoxville, TN
The 430 medical billers and coders in Knoxville earn, on average, $14.28 per hour and $29,700 per year. Those in the top ten percent of earners make $42,050 annually and those in the bottom ten percent make $20,500.
7. Jackson, TN
In Jackson, there are approximately 130 medical billers and coders who make an hourly mean wage of $13.20 and an annual mean wage of $27,450. The top ten percent of wages is $40,770 annually and the bottom ten percent is $20,830 annually.
8. Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
There are about 210 medical billers and coders in the Kingsport-Bristol metropolitan area. The average worker makes $12.59 an hour and $26,190 per year. The annual tenth percentile wage is $16,430, $3,000 below the state average. The annual ninetieth percentile wage is $40,450, $6,500 below the state average.
9. Morristown, TN
In Morristown, there are about 50 medical billers and coders. The average hourly wage is $11.54 and the average annual wage is $24,010. The lowest ten percent of workers earn $16,880 annually and the highest ten percent earn $33,930 annually, $19,500 less than the national average.
About our expert. Jan Jacobs has worked in medical offices since the early 1980's. Ms. Jacobs has worked for M.D.'s and D.O.'s in primary care and specialty care. She is employed as a senior medical biller and has been at her current job for nearly 10 years, where she uses three different billing systems.
