Trade Schools
If you want to start a career as a medical billing and coding specialist and you’re wondering where to complete your training, this page is perfect for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical records specialists was $46,660 as of May 2021.
This means that half of all workers in this profession earned less than this amount while half earned more.
Depending on education, region of employment, employers, and a variety of other factors, salaries range from less than $30,000 to more than $74,000.
This profession will grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the same report.
As the demand for medical services increases, so will the need to hire people who know how to code and bill medical procedures.
As a medical biller and coder, you will help healthcare facilities manage insurance claims, invoices, and payments.
You must know how to take the provider’s diagnostic and procedural notes and convert them into the correct codes for record and billing purposes.
All these skills can be learned by attending a post-secondary training program.
This page compiles information about the best medical billing and coding schools in Iowa.
1Northwest Iowa Community College
About the School
Northwest Iowa Community College is a community college located in Sheldon, Iowa.
Academic programs are available online, on campus, and in a hybrid format.
Courses Offered
The Medical Coding program available at Northwest Iowa Community College is available online and teaches students how to apply codes, submit bills, and communicate with other healthcare professionals.
After completing this diploma program, students are eligible to take the Certified Coding Associate certification exam through the American Health Information Management Association to receive the CCA credential.
To graduate from this program, students must receive at least a “C” in all courses.
The diploma credits may be applied to the completion of an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology.
The program can be completed in two semesters.
Fall semester entry is available for full-time students.
Part-time students may enter in any term.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Computers
- Medical Coding
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Pathology
- Reimbursement Methods
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 603 West Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa 51201
- Phone: (712) 324-5061
- Website: https://nwicc.edu
2Hawkeye Community College
About the School
Hawkeye Community College provides an intensive, short-term Certified Professional Medical Coder program designed to help students prepare for one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare.
Students learn:
- Medical coding related to the main code books: CPT, ICD-10-CM Code Set, and HCPCS Level II
- Medical terminology and anatomy
After completion of these online modules and coding instruction part students will participate in a practicum.
During this time students gain experience by coding 600 actual medical records.
This is equivalent to one year of professional coding experience.
After successfully completing the practicum students may enter the workforce as certified professional coders without having to complete an apprenticeship.
The program is certified by the American Academy of Professional Coders.
The program costs $3,999 and includes books, an AAPC student membership, practice, exam, the Certified Professional Coder certification exam, and a Practicode CPC-A Practicum.
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, IA 50704-8015
- Phone: 319-296-2320
- Website: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu
3Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines Area Community College offers training programs at six campuses: Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Urban/Des Moines, and West Des Moines.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program offered by Des Moines Area Community College teaches students how to translate medical diagnoses and procedures into numbers or codes for reimbursement and statistical purposes.
Diploma and certificate options are available for Medical Billing and Coding professionals, depending on the desired career path.
Students must complete all coursework and maintain a 2.0 grade point average to complete this program.
The program is available in Ankeny.
Students may start any semester.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Intro to Computer Business Application
- Business Math
- Essentials of Health Records
- Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health Professionals
- Reimbursement Methods
- ICD-10 Coding
- CPT-4 Coding
- And more
Tuition is $170 per credit.
Contact Information
- Address: 2006 South Ankeny Boulevard, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
- Phone: 515-964-6200
- Website: https://www.dmacc.edu
4Iowa Western Community College
About the School
Iowa Western Community College provides a medical billing and coding program in a hybrid format.
The program incorporates classroom and online learning.
Students spend at least 12 hours of work outside the classroom.
After completing the program, students may sit for the Certified Professional Coder exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Students enrolled in this program need:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Successful completion of anatomy and medical terminology course
- Working knowledge of Windows-based PC and Microsoft Office
- Access to a computer with high-speed internet
Courses Offered
The Certified Professional Coder program includes courses on:
- Principles of medical billing
- Understanding of health insurance
- Fundamentals of medical coding
- Evaluation of management review
- Preparation for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder exam I
- And more
The program costs $3,599
Contact Information
- Address: 2700 College Rd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Phone: 712-325-3200
- Website: https://www.iwcc.edu
5Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
About the School
The Medical Billing and Coding program at Eastern Iowa Community College includes 370 course hours.
The program can be completed in 12 months.
This self-paced program costs $2,995 with a voucher.
After completing the program, students may choose a voucher for the professional certification that best aligns with their interests and goals:
- Certified Professional Coder exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders
- Certified Coding Associate exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association
Courses Offered
Medical Billing and Coding students learn:
- Medical billing and coding
- Medical coding terminology
- The disorders and medical procedures common to each body system
- Legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts central to this field
- The main coding manuals
- How to code diagnoses, services, and procedures for all systems of the body
- Fundamentals of medical billing & coding and medical terminology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Eastern Iowa Community College District, Business & Industry Center, Davenport, IA 52801
- Website: https://careertraining.eicc.edu
6Western Iowa Tech Community College
About the School
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public community college.
The college has campuses in five locations in northwestern Iowa.
The college’s main campus is located in Sioux City.
Additional campuses are located in Mapleton, Le Mars, Denison, and Cherokee.
Courses Offered
Western Iowa Tech Community College provides a Medical Coding Specialist diploma program that teaches students how to assign codes to diagnoses and procedures using the nationally recognized coding system.
The program awards 43 total credits.
The in-state total tuition for this program is approximately $7,440.
Students enrolled in this program prepare for jobs such as:
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
- Medical Transcriptionists
- Medical Secretaries
Contact Information
- Address: 4647 Stone Avenue, Sioux City, Iowa 51106
- Phone: 712.274.8733
- Website: https://www2.witcc.edu
7Indian Hills Community College
About the School
Indian Hills Community College is a public post-secondary institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
The college is also accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.
The college provides more than 100 degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The average class size is 14.
Courses Offered
The Medical/Insurance Coding program can be completed in 12 months.
Students pay $8,460 for in-state tuition and fees.
A Medical Insurance Coding Diploma program is also available at the college.
After completing this program, graduates are ready to become Certified Coding Specialist by passing the certification examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Grandview Avenue, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Phone: (641) 683-5111 or (800) 726-2585
- Website: https://www.indianhills.edu
8Northeast Iowa Community College
About the School
Northeast Iowa Community College serves eight counties in northeast Iowa and surrounding areas.
Academic programs are available in a variety of disciplines.
Online and blended learning as well as customized business and training disciplines and short-term certificates are available at the college.
Northeast Iowa Community College provides a Health Information Technology program that prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need for high-paying, rewarding employment in this healthcare field as a licensed Registered Health Information Technologist.
The program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree and awards 68 credits.
The program is available online.
Courses Offered
The program includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Computer Business Applications
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Pharmacology for HIT
- Introduction to CPT
- Legal Aspects of Health Information
- Human Body: Health and Disease
- Information Governance
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar, Iowa 52132
- Phone: 844.642.2338
- Website: https://www.nicc.edu
9Ross Medical Education Center
About the School
Ross Medical Education Center offers online Associate of Applied Science degrees and quality education from knowledgeable instructors.
The available programs include Medical Billing Administrative Specialist, Medical Office Management, Medical Assistant, and more.
The center has seven campuses in Indiana: Evansville, Fort Wayne, Granger, Kokomo, Lafayette, Merrillville, and Muncile.
Courses Offered
Ross Medical Education Center provides a Medical Billing Administrative Specialist Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Students learn skills such as:
- Describing basic human anatomy and physiology
- Demonstrate administrative office skills, including fashioning and management of electronic medical records, current medical office software, and more.
- Using interpersonal and customer service skills
- Applying financial record-keeping skills
- Completing medical insurance claim forms
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 227 N Green River Rd, Evansville, IN 47715
- Phone: (812) 475-9685
- Website: https://rosseducation.edu
10Purdue Global
About the School
Purdue Global is a provider of individualized online education designed for adults who have to keep a job while working towards a degree or certificate.
The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program available at Purdue Global prepares students to sit for a virtually proctored certification exam during their final term and additional medical billing and coding certification exams.
Students gain hands-on experience through a 40-hour practicum in a healthcare facility.
The program is approved by the AHIMA Professional Certificate Approval Program.
Students complete the program in 11 months, on average.
44 credits are required to graduate.
The cost per credit hour is $371.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding curriculum includes courses on:
- Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
- Data information processing
- Medical billing, coding, and terminology
- Insurance billing
- Medical terminology and medical office management
Students must be high school graduates or possess a General Education Development certificate or equivalent.
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 844-PURDUE-G
- Website: https://www.purdueglobal.edu
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 70 | $42,240 | $20.31 | $56,230 | $32,170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 220 | $47,960 | $23.06 | $61,950 | $36,600 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 250 | $43,900 | $21.11 | $59,540 | $31,360 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 470 | $47,850 | $23.01 | $60,680 | $37,070 |
| Dubuque, IA | 90 | $46,170 | $22.2 | $57,490 | $36,650 |
| Iowa City, IA | 370 | $58,090 | $27.93 | $65,290 | $46,680 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 110 | $43,500 | $20.91 | $56,110 | $32,770 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 110 | $43,460 | $20.89 | $57,790 | $33,560 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Medical billers and coders are a liaison between insurers, medical offices, and patients.
If you want to start a career in this field, this page has provided you with information about the schools and colleges in Iowa that offer programs designed to prepare you for certification exams and employment in a medical office, hospital, or another healthcare setting.
Now that you have read our selection, the next step is to continue the research and decide where to enroll.
