Medical Billing and Coding Certificates in California

California is the most heavily populated state in the United States and the third largest state by area, aside from Texas and Alaska. Due to the heavy population, educational institutions in the state are some of the best in the country and the growing number of health care jobs available is at a staggering all-time high. The climate of California is warm and mild, and accompanied with its number of beaches the state lures students from all over the country. Many graduates of health care or the popular medical billing and coding schools in California never leave, but make the state their home. Some of the leading medical billing and coding schools in California include Empire College, Kaplan College, and American Career College.

Kaplan College

Another medical and coding school in California available to students is Kaplan College and is an exceptional choice for students wanting to advance their career in the health care field. Kaplan is an accredited institution with program and degree options in the medical billing and coding field

Diploma
Diploma: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
San Diego, Riverside, Vista, Panorama City, Chula Vista

Empire College

Empire College offers a sunny and warm campus with diplomas provided in medical billing and coding. State-of-the-art software programs and data transmission allow students to take part in a hands-on learning environment. The program length consists of four quarters and can be taken at the student’s preferred pace.

Diploma
Medical Billing/Coding
Santa Rosa

Mayfield College

Certificate
Medical Billing and Coding
Cathedral City

Summit Career College

Certificate
Medical Billing and Coding
Colton, Anaheim

UEI College

Diploma
Medical Billing and Insurance Coding
Huntington Park, Chula Vista, Ontario, San Bernardino, San Diego, Van Nuys, El Monte, San Marcos, Anaheim

Charter College

Certificate, Associate, Diploma
Medical Insurance Coding and Billing, Medical Office Administration: Concentration in Medical Coding and Billing
Oxnard, Canyon Country, Lancaster, Long Beach

Everest College

Diploma
Diploma - Medical Insurance Billing & Coding
Anaheim, Los Angeles, City of Industry, Alhambra, Gardena, Hayward, Ontario, Reseda, San Jose, Santa Ana

TechSkills - Medical

Associate
Medical Coding: Healthcare providers depend on Medical Coders to ensure quality patient care, compliance and financial profitability. Coding professionals fulfill these needs through providing concise clinical data that is compliant and maximizes reimbursement.
Other programs available at TechSkills - Medical: Medical Billing
Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco

Newbridge College

Diploma
Medical Biller / Office Management, Medical Administrative / Insurance
Long Beach, Santa Ana, El Cajon

American Career College

The American Career College is a medical billing and coding school in California that emphasizes health care and the medical fields. Students who graduate from the certificate program are primed to enter the lucrative career as a certified coder and biller for area hospitals, medical offices, or nursing care facilities.

Certificate
Health Claims Examiner/Medical Biller
Los Angeles, Anaheim, Ontario

Concorde

Diploma
Insurance Coding and Billing Specialist
Garden Grove, North Hollywood, San Diego

Heald College

Associate
Medical Insurance Billing and Coding
Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Stockton, Fresno, Hayward, San Francisco, Milpitas, Concord, Salinas, Salida

High-Tech Institute

Diploma
Medical Billing and Coding
Rancho Cordova

Carrington College California

Associate, Certificate
Medical Billing, Medical Billing and Coding
Sacramento, San Jose, Pleasant Hill, Emeryville, Antioch, San Leandro, Citrus Heights

Casa Loma College

Diploma
Medical Insurance Billing and Coding
Anaheim, Hawthorne, Van Nuys

How to Become a Medical Billing Specialist

As a medical billing specialist, you have the option to work in a hospital, doctor's office, or in an office clerical position. Insurance companies also benefit from the skills and services of medical billing specialists. Regardless of the work setting, you will need certain skills and abilities to perform your duties efficiently. Here are some pointers to help you get started in your new career.

Education

Although a certificate is not always required, having one will increase your possibilities of finding a job. If you'd like to receive formal training on becoming a medical billing specialist, you'll need to find a reputable medical billing school near you.

If you prefer to take online courses, you may want to consider Allied Medical School for your training. This school offers the benefit of a flexible schedule, and all of the coursework and exams take place online at your convenience.

A medical billing program generally costs between $1,000- $6,000. Whether you take the courses online or onsite is a determining factor. Many schools offer financial aid. Find out from the school under consideration whether this is an option for you.

Regardless of whether you attend a school or take online classes, look for a program that equips perspective medical billing specialists with the knowledge and skills to maintain medical records proficiently. Additionally, the program should provide training on how to fill out insurance forms, as it may be part of your job, depending on the position. Other important areas are:

  • Submitting claims to insurance companies
  • Collection methods and procedures
  • Processing appeals
  • Working with denied claims
  • Making credit adjustments

Independent Certification

Further, you may choose to take a certification exam, which the Medical Association of Billers administers. You may take the certification through the medical school of your choice upon completion of the course. Even though certification is not a requirement to work in a medical billing position, it complements your credentials and is greatly valued in today's competitive medical field.

On-the-job Training

Other ways to become a medical billing specialist is to receive on-the-job training. Many billing specialists started out working as a receptionist or customer service representative for an insurance company, doctor's office, or hospital. Some companies offer cross-training. Working in such a company allows employees to receive training while earning a salary.

Once you have training, whether through a school or a company, you have the option of working from home. Some medical billers do billing and coding for multiple clients. Nonetheless, it is important to develop organizational and multitasking skills. The ability to manage time efficiently is critical. You can expect to perform multiple tasks and duties through the course of a day.

Overall, the median starting salary for a medical billing specialist is $12 per hour. After the first four years, it increases to $14.50 per hour. These rates may vary depending on where you live - the rate usually increases if you reside in a big city. Medical billing specialists are in high demand, and the demand continues to increase as people live longer. Medical billing specialists have the option of working in the medical field of their choice such as for a medical doctor, a psychologist, or a pediatrician. If you choose to become a medical billing specialist, you can expect to have a rewarding and satisfying career.

Other cities in California

Online Schools

The following is a list of schools that offer online Medical Billing and Coding Certificates programs.

National American University

  • Healthcare Coding
  • Healthcare Coding

OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA

Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education

4640 Maine Ave, Baldwin Park, California 91706
Telephone:(626) 856-4101
http://www.bpace.k12.ca.us

Canada College

4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City, California 94061
Telephone:(650) 306-3100
http://canadacollege.edu

Career College Consultants

5015 Eagle Rock Blvd Ste 302, Los Angeles, California 90041
Telephone:(323) 254-2203
http://www.sticcc.com

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, California 94545
Telephone:(510) 723-6600
http://www.chabotcollege.edu

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center

5451 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, California 95824
Telephone:(916) 433-2600 x1011
http://www.scusd.edu

City College of San Francisco

50 Phelan Ave, San Francisco, California 94112
Telephone:(415) 239-3000
http://www.ccsf.edu

Clarita Career College

27125 Sierra Hwy Ste 329, Canyon Country, California 91351
Telephone:(661) 252-1864
http://claritacareercollege.com

Cosumnes River College

8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, California 95823
Telephone:(916) 688-7344
http://www.crc.losrios.edu/

Cuesta College

Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, California 93403
Telephone:(805) 546-3100
http://www.cuesta.edu

Cypress College

9200 Valley View, Cypress, California 90630
Telephone:(714) 484-7000
http://www.cypresscollege.edu

East Los Angeles College

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, California 91754
Telephone:(323) 265-8650
http://www.elac.edu/index.htm

Empire College School of Business

3035 Cleveland Ave, Santa Rosa, California 95403
Telephone:(707) 546-4000
http://www.empcol.edu

Four-D College

1020 East Washington Street, Colton, California 92324
Telephone:(909) 783-9331

Institute of Technology Inc

564 W Herndon, Clovis, California 93612
Telephone:(559) 297-4500
http://www.it-colleges.edu

Ladera Career Paths Training Centers

6820 La Tijera Blvd Ste 217, Los Angeles, California 90045
Telephone:(310) 568-0244 x135
http://www.laderacareerpathsinc.com

MCed Career College

2002 N Gateway Blvd, Fresno, California 93727
Telephone:(559) 456-0623
http://www.mced.edu

Mendocino College

1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah, California 95482
Telephone:(707) 468-3000
http://www.mendocino.edu

Rio Hondo College

3600 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601
Telephone:(562) 692-0921
http://www.riohondo.edu

Santa Barbara City College

721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93109
Telephone:(805) 965-0581
http://www.sbcc.edu

United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus

6055 Pacific Blvd., Huntington Park, California 90255
Telephone:(323) 277-8000