Medical Billing and Coding Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota's healthcare sector runs on regional systems like Sanford Health (one of the largest rural health systems in the country, headquartered in Sioux Falls), Monument Health in Rapid City, and Avera Health. These systems, along with community hospitals, rural clinics, and tribal health facilities, all need medical records specialists to handle coding, billing, and revenue cycle work.

Because the state doesn't have dedicated campus-based billing and coding programs, most South Dakota residents train through online programs from nationally accredited institutions. That's actually an advantage: online graduates can work remotely for employers in any state, and AAPC reports that 64.8% of medical coders now work from home.

Since South Dakota doesn't have IPEDS-listed campus programs for medical billing and coding, you'll want to look at nationally accredited online providers. Several well-established options accept South Dakota students, with tuition ranging from $1,049 to $10,080 per year.

AAPC and AHIMA also offer their own online coding courses that prepare you directly for certification exams. These are shorter and more focused than full degree programs, making them a practical choice if you're changing careers and want to get certified quickly. For a broader comparison, check our online programs guide.

South Dakota doesn't require state licensure for medical billers and coders. However, professional certification is the standard hiring requirement across the industry. You'll choose from three main entry-level credentials:

CPC (Certified Professional Coder) from AAPC is the most widely recognized coding credential. It's a 100-question, 4-hour open-codebook exam costing $425. The CCA (Certified Coding Associate) from AHIMA is an entry-level option with 105 questions and a 2-hour time limit ($199 for members, $299 for non-members). The CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) from NHA is the most affordable at roughly $117.

All three exams can be taken remotely with online proctoring, so you won't need to travel to a testing center. For a detailed side-by-side breakdown, see our certification comparison.

South Dakota's medical billing and coding professionals earn $58,969 per year on average (AAPC 2023). For context, the national BLS median for medical records specialists is $50,250, so South Dakota sits above that baseline. The state's comparatively low cost of living means your take-home purchasing power goes further than in higher-cost markets.

Certification is your most reliable way to boost earnings. Nationally, certified coders average $66,979 per year, while those without certification average $55,721. If you stack three or more credentials, that number jumps to $81,227 (AAPC 2025). Remote work also opens the door to employers in higher-paying states, which can push your compensation well beyond local averages.

Sanford Health, headquartered in Sioux Falls, operates hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities across the Dakotas and upper Midwest. Avera Health, also based in Sioux Falls, spans rural South Dakota with dozens of facilities. Monument Health serves the Black Hills region from Rapid City. Together, these three systems are the state's largest healthcare employers.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) operates facilities serving tribal communities, and the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Fort Meade and Hot Springs employs federal medical records specialists. Remote coding positions have expanded the job market for South Dakota residents well beyond state borders.