Medical billers and coders may find employment in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and outpatient centers.
They are responsible for coding medical records, processing insurance claims, and managing reimbursements.
If you live in New Mexico and are thinking about starting a career as a medical billing and coding professional, this page is for you.
Here you will find information about the best training programs that prepare New Mexico students for a career in this field.
Most programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge that prepare them for the Certified Coding Associate exam and cover topics such as Medical Terminology, Coding, Health Records, Anatomy and Physiology, and more.
Students typically complete the coursework in less than a year and receive a Certificate or Diploma.
Associate of Applied Science programs are also available and can be completed in one and a half or two years.
1New Mexico State
About the School
Founded in 1888, New Mexico State University provides comprehensive programs of education, as well as research, extension education, and public service at undergraduate and graduate levels.
New Mexico State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1926.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding program available at New Mexico State leads to a Certificate of Completion and awards 19 credits.
The curriculum includes the following classes:
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Insurance Billing
- Medical Coding
The coursework in this certificate applies to elective credit in the Associate of Applied Studies program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003
- Phone: 575-646-0111
- Website: https://catalogs.nmsu.edu
2The University of New Mexico
About the School
The University of New Mexico offers a variety of learning opportunities and certification programs that invest in the local workforce and economy.
Courses Offered
The following medical billing and coding programs are available at the university:
- Administrative Medical Coding and Billing Specialist
- Certified Professional Coder Test Prep
- HCPCS Level II: Coding
- Medical Coding and Billing Professional (Online)
The Administrative Medical Coding and Billing Specialist program covers all the aspects of medical coding and billing to prepare students to become nationally certified Certified Professional Coders with AAPC.
The program is instructor-led and covers the following modules:
- Medical Terminology
- CPT-4 Coding
- ICD-10-CM Coding
- HCPCS Coding
- Medical Billing and Healthcare Specialist
The course is 156 hours.
Students need a score of 70% or greater in all modules and final exams to pass the course and obtain a certificate of completion.
The Certified Professional Coder Test Prep course is designed for students who want to be prepared for the AAPC-certified professional coder exam.
Before completing this class, students should have taken CPT-4, ICD-10, and HCPCS Level II at UNM Continuing Education or an equivalent program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1634 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone: (505) 277-0077
- Website: https://ce.unm.edu
3IntelliTec College
About the School
IntelliTec College provides students with flexible study options and hands-on career training.
The college has locations in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo.
Convenient day or evening classes are available to meet different student schedules.
The programs are designed to focus only on the most practical skills to get students ready for a career fast.
The college has more than 50 years of experience in providing career training programs.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, IntelliTec College offers a program that prepares students for careers as Medical Billers and Coders.
The programs are between 12 to 18 months long.
Students take a College and Readiness course, Human Anatomy and Physiology with Medical Terminology, the importance of HIPAA, and Medical Laws and Ethics courses.
The following Medical Billing & Coding programs are available:
- Medical Billing & Coding Certificate- a 12-month program available in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo
- Healthcare Administration: Medical Billing & Coding Associate Degree- an 18-month program designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as Medical Biller and Coders in a variety of healthcare settings; this program is available in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo.
IntelliTec College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Contact Information
- Address: 772 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506
- Phone: (970) 245-8101
- Website: https://intellitec.edu
4Carrington College
About the School
Carrington College offers a Medical Billing and Coding program that teaches future medical secretaries the skills and knowledge necessary to perform medical coding and process medical insurance billing and claims in a healthcare setting.
Students earn a Certificate of Achievement in as few as nine months.
The program is offered in a Blended Online format.
Students learn topics such as:
- Medical Billing Software
- Human Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Records Management
Blended online delivery formats include live classes as well as in-person classes.
The program provides coursework that is not time-specific, with on-demand videos, reading assignments, and virtual activities that are self-paced with scheduled deliverables.
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Contact Information
- Address: 1001 Menaul Blvd. N. E. Albuquerque NM 87107
- Phone: (505) 200-3745
- Website: https://carrington.edu
5San Juan College
About the School
San Juan College offers educational opportunities for those who want to get an associate degree, transfer to a four-year college, come back to school after a long gap, or are looking for a career change or work opportunities.
Many of the programs can be completed in two years or less and many classes are available online for added flexibility.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Medical Coder/Biller Program as well as a Health Information Technology program, among many other academic paths.
The Medical Coder/Biller program leads to a Certificate in Medical Insurance Coder/Biller and makes students eligible to take the American Health Information Management Association’s Certified Coding Associate exam.
The total cost for this program is $5,446 for in-state students.
The courses are offered online only.
Students need access to a computer, the internet, and a webcam.
Each course in the curriculum must be completed with a “C” or better and students are required to maintain a GPA of 2.75
Contact Information
- Address: West Classroom Complex, Room 1911
- Phone: (505) 566-3320
- Website: https://www.sanjuancollege.edu
6Santa Fe Community College
About the School
Santa Fe Community College has been providing affordable, high-quality educational programs for more than 35 years.
The college enrolls more than 13,000 students per year in credit, noncredit, and adult programs.
Santa Fe Community College is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality Improvement Program.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate at Santa Fe Community College prepares students to sit for the American Health Information Management Association’s Certified Coding Associate exam and/or the American Association of Professional Coders Certified Professional Coder Exam.
The program equips students with skills in:
- Interpreting and applying diagnostic information from source documents/health records to coding and billing tasks using the most current references
- Basic billing skills required of entry-level coders and billers
- Demonstrating a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body and a thorough understanding of medical terminology
- And more
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems
- Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmacology and Lab Procedure
- Coding Class Systems
- Reimbursement Methodologies
- Coding Seminar
- Pathophysiology for Allied Health
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
- Phone: (505) 428-1000
- Website: https://www.sfcc.edu
7Pima Medical Institute
About the School
Pima Medical Institute offers a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program designed for students who want to work in allied healthcare as a medical coder.
The program is available on-campus and can be completed in nine months.
The courses focus on terminology, insurance, reimbursements, patient records, claims management, and many other topics.
Students learn the skills needed to work in the field.
Courses are taught by instructors with years of experience and focus on computer basics, billing procedures, and medical terminology, among other topics.
Medical law and ethics are also covered by this program to provide students with a well-rounded education.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Coding curriculum includes classes such as:
- Anatomy, Physiology and Terminology
- Computer Basics
- Math Fundamentals
- CPR & First Aid
- Medical Office Management
- Insurance, Billing, and Coding Fundamentals
- Principles of Insurance
- Electronic Health Records
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4400 Cutler Ave N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87110
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- Website: https://pmi.edu
8Charter College
About the School
Charter College offers a variety of flexible, career-focused programs.
The college has provided relevant career training for more than 35 years to help turn students into professionals.
Courses Offered
Charter College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Billing and Coding.
The program can be completed in as little as 15 months.
Classes start every five weeks to provide students with flexibility and help them graduate on time.
Students need a high school diploma, a recognized equivalency certificate, or to have passed a state-authorized exam recognized as the equivalent of a high school diploma.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- The Health Care System
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
- Medical Terminology Fundamentals
- Computerized Billing and Coding
- Medical Insurance Processing and Coding
- Insurance and Coding Specialist
- Electronic Health Records
- Professional Success Strategies
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3030 E 20th St, Farmington, NM 87402
- Phone: (505) 793-8087
- Website: https://chartercollege.edu
9Southern New Hampshire University
About the School
Southern New Hampshire University offers 200 career-focused programs, including an online Medical Billing and Coding class that can be completed in eight weeks.
The course costs $990.
There is no application fee.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Coding Classification Systems- students learn about the systems that group aspects of patient information and characteristics into categories based on established criteria, logic, and conventions.
- The ICD-10- a system of diagnosis codes representing conditions and diseases, related health problems, abnormal findings, signs and symptoms, injuries, and external causes of injuries and diseases.
- HCPCS II- a standardized coding system used primarily to identify products, supplies, and services
- CPT and Evaluation Management- a medical code set used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services to physicians, health insurance companies, and accreditation organizations for medical billing
- Modifiers and Terminologies- these provide extra details about a procedure or service provided by a physician for more clarity and preciseness
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH 03106
- Phone: 800.668.1249
- Website: https://www.snhu.edu
10UEI College
About the School
UEI College provides a Medical Billing and Insurance Coding program that includes online class lectures, on-campus labs, and hands-on training at a local employer during an externship.
Students learn about topics such as billing systems, medical law and ethics, diagnostic coding, and general office procedures.
Then, they venture into the real world for on-the-job training during a 250-hour externship in a medical and/or claims office.
The program can be completed in 10 months.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
UEI College in Riverside is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.
The program is available in hybrid and fully online formats.
Courses Offered
The Medical Billing and Insurance Coding curriculum at UEI College includes courses such as:
- Insurance Billing
- Insurance Coding Principles
- Medical Law & Ethics
- Documentation & Records
- Insurance Practices
- Medical Office Procedures
- Dental Office Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1860 University Ave. Riverside, CA 92507
- Phone: (877) 463-4472
- Website: https://www.uei.edu
Regional Salary in New Mexico
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albuquerque, NM | 630 | $50,160 | $24.11 | $70,700 | $35,380 |
Farmington, NM | 70 | $50,750 | $24.4 | $71,480 | $34,140 |
Las Cruces, NM | 80 | $40,360 | $19.4 | $55,250 | $30,920 |
Santa Fe, NM | 70 | $53,200 | $25.58 | $66,750 | $36,080 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best medical coding and billing schools in New Mexico, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so make sure you have information about all the relevant factors before deciding where to enroll.
Once your research is complete, choose a program that fits your schedule and teaches you all the skills required for certification and employment.