Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Louisiana

Louisiana's healthcare industry is concentrated in two main corridors: the Greater New Orleans area and the Baton Rouge-Lafayette region. Ochsner Health is the largest nonprofit health system in the Gulf South, operating over 40 hospitals and more than 320 health centers across Louisiana and the region. LCMC Health operates several prominent New Orleans hospitals including University Medical Center and Children's Hospital New Orleans.

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS), headquartered in Baton Rouge, is another major employer. Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport is the dominant provider in northwestern Louisiana. The state has significant healthcare challenges, including high rates of chronic disease, a large Medicaid population, and rural access gaps, all of which drive substantial claims volume and demand for accurate medical billing and coding.

Louisiana has one in-state program in the national databases: Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, a public university offering health information management programs with billing and coding coursework at approximately $6,401 per year for in-state students. Online coursework is available, making it one of the more affordable four-year university options for this field.

Louisiana's community and technical college system (LCTCS) may offer related programs at some campuses. Check directly with Delgado Community College (New Orleans), Baton Rouge Community College, and Bossier Parish Community College for current offerings. Louisiana residents also have access to strong online options: Ultimate Medical Academy, Western Governors University ($7,710/yr), Penn Foster ($1,049 to $1,869), Purdue University Global ($10,080/yr), and DeVry University ($14,392/yr). For more details, see our online programs guide.

Louisiana doesn't require a state license to work as a medical biller or coder. Employers rely on nationally recognized certifications. The three most common entry-level credentials are the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) from AAPC, the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) from AHIMA, and the CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) from NHA.

The CPC is the most frequently requested credential in Louisiana job postings. Ochsner Health and other large systems typically list CPC or CCS as preferred qualifications. AAPC has active local chapters in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport that provide networking and continuing education. For a full certification comparison, check our guide.

Medical billing and coding professionals in Louisiana earn an average of $60,098 per year, or approximately $28.89 per hour (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). That's about 20% above the national BLS median of $50,250.

Louisiana's cost of living is below the national average across most of the state. Housing costs in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are particularly affordable. Entry-level coders typically start in the $40,000 to $48,000 range, while certified professionals with 5 to 10 years of experience can earn $58,000 to $70,000. AAPC data shows professionals with three or more certifications average $81,227 nationally. For complete salary data, see our salary guide.

Louisiana's major healthcare employers include Ochsner Health (the Gulf South's largest nonprofit system), LCMC Health (New Orleans), Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (Baton Rouge), Willis-Knighton Health System (Shreveport), and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (Baton Rouge). Louisiana's VA Medical Centers in New Orleans, Shreveport, and Alexandria are also significant employers, offering federal pay scales with competitive benefits.

Remote work has expanded options for Louisiana-based coders. With approximately 64.8% of medical records specialists working remotely (AAPC 2025), you can access positions with employers nationwide. The BLS projects 7% growth for medical records specialists from 2024 to 2034. Louisiana's high healthcare utilization rates, large Medicaid-enrolled population, and ongoing infrastructure expansion all support sustained demand.