Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Montana
Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Montana
Two significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals in Montana are:
Billings Clinic
- Address: 801 N. 29th Street, P.O. Box 37000, Billings, MT 59107
- Phone Number: 406-238-2500
- Website: www.billingsclinic.com
Billings is a not-for-profit health care organization that is the community’s largest employer. The organization’s services include neonatal intensive care, a transitional care unit, a Level II emergency and trauma center, inpatient cancer care, and a surgery center. Employee benefits at Billings include medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage, spending accounts, long-term disability, employee assistance, and paid time off.
Wheatland Memorial Healthcare
- Address: 530 3rd St. NW, PO Box 287, Harlowton, MT 59036
- Email Address: Click here for the center’s contact form.
- Phone Number: 406-632-4351
- Website: www.wheatlandmemorial.org
This facility has served Wheatland County and the surrounding areas for more than 60 years. Its services include acute inpatient treatment, swing bed, x-ray services, an emergency room, therapy, and telehealth. Benefits at Wheatland include paid time off, a 401(k) plan, health, life and dental insurance, cancer coverage, direct deposit, tuition assistance, a longevity incentive, clinic and hospital service discounts, and an employee assistance program.
Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Montana
Employment prospects are a bit better in Montana than they are nationwide. Unemployment for the state was at 3.9% in September 2017, compared to 4.2% nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Montana saw minimal overall employment growth (in the nonfarming sectors) from September 2016 to September 2017, increasing 1.2%. The greatest growth was in the area of mining and logging, which grew 5.9% during that time period. Education and health services was on par with growth statewide, with an increase of 2.9%. Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow by 13% nationwide through 2026, according to the BLS, buoyed by an aging population that is expected to demand more medical tests and procedures.
Salaries for medical billers and coders in Montana are slightly less than the national average for the profession. According to the BLS, the national median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $38,040 as of 2016, compared to an annual mean wage of $36,320 for those in Montana.
Those looking for the best employment opportunities are encouraged to seek medical coding certification. According to the BLS, most employers prefer to hire medical records and health information technicians with professional certification. This is available through the AAPC, which offers a certification exam. Many online programs in medical billing and coding prepare students for this exam and some even include the option of taking it at the end of the program.
Top Cities in Montana for Medical Billing and Coding Careers
Below is a list of the top Montana cities that employ medical billers and coders. Information is derived from the BLS.
Billings, MT
Billings has the largest number of medical billers and coders in the state, employing 300 in total, according to the BLS, and they earn the highest wages. The average hourly wage in Billings is $19.93, which translates to an average annual salary of $41,460.
Missoula, MT
Missoula employs the second largest number of medical billers and coders in Montana and has the second highest wages. There are 100 billers and coders here, according to the BLS, and they make an average of $33,950 per year, or $16.32 per hour.
Great Falls, MT
There are 60 medical billers and coders in Great Falls, according to the BLS and, on average, they make $36,600 per year. This is equivalent to an hourly rate of $17.60.
