Medical Billing And Coding Salary Indiana - SalaryInfoGuide.com (2023)

Is Medical Billing And Coding Right For You

I keep coming back | Chandra Stephenson | AAPC HEALTHCON

Medical billing and coding is an in-demand career thats expected to grow over the next decade. If youre looking for a career in the medical field that is focused more on administrative duties and less on direct patient care, becoming a medical coder could be the perfect job for you.

Medical coding is a great fit for people who

Become a certified medical coder with Penn Foster

If you know medical billing and coding is the right fit for you, the next step is to get the training you need to prepare for a career as a certified medical coder or biller. With Penn Fosters online Medical Billing and Coding Training Program, you can learn the basics of medical terminology, electronic health records, and ICD and CPT codes on your schedule, from home. Youll also prepare for the CBCS exam to become certified! To learn more about becoming a medical coder or to get started on your career journey today, reach out to our expert Admissions Specialists at !

Average Salary For Medical Billing And Coding Specialists

While candidates can pursue medical billing and coding jobs with postsecondary certificates or high school diplomas, those interested in becoming a medical billing and coding specialist can earn higher salaries with degrees. The American Academy of Professional Coders reports that the average medical coder salary for those with a master’s degree or higher is just under $70,000. Medical coders with no college average just over $50,000 per year.

The graphic below lists current hourly wages for each degree level and for no college education.

$25.12

Source: AAPC

How Can Medical Coders Increase Their Salary

Increasing your pay as a Medical Coder is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Medical Coder that oversees more junior Medical Coders, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

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Is Medical Coding Hard

Yes, medical coding can be hard. With the amount of knowledge you need to work in an entry-level position, learning how to become a medical coder can seem daunting. And the learning doesnt stop when you finish your diploma or training program. With codes and policies being updated every year, youll have to be prepared to relearn some codes and learn new ones regularly.

But if youre interested in working in the healthcare industry, the hard work is worth it! Skilled, certified medical coders are in-demand so learning what you need to start a career in the field can be difficult, but in the end its something that can help you find the job you love.

Learn how working, single mom Amanda Boucher went back to school for her Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma.

Are There Online Medical Biller Or Coder Programs

Yes. Online technical schools are an excellent option for those who have caregiving responsibilities, work part time, or need to work from home. Many online programs offer self-paced courses, allowing students to train in a vocational trade at their own speed.

U.S. Career Institute offers a 100% online program for those hoping to become medical coders. The course uses a self-paced format and prepares students to take the Certified Professional Coder Certification exam. Tuition begins at $1,239.

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Is Medical Billing And Coding A Good Career

U.S. News & World Report ranked medical records technician as #9 on its list of 25 Best Jobs that Dont Require a College Degree,” #12 in Best Health Care Support Jobs and on the The 100 Best Jobs list.

Course Objectives

• Be fully prepared to pass one of the following professional certifications that best aligns with your interest and career 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

Which States Have The Lowest Medical Billing And Coding Salary

Unsurprisingly, the criteria that make the difference between salary estimates on average per state are their cost of living and their importance in STEM – particularly in the medical field. Alabama has the 2nd lowest average in the nation, only paying around $48,000 per annum. It also has one of the lowest cost of living indicators in the country, placing 11th on the list of the cheapest states to live in.

Mississippi, by contrast, has both the lowest average salary in the field and is also the cheapest cost of living state in the US, proving that salary is largely affected by state averages rather than solely relying on the demand of the field. Mississippi Medical Billing and Coding technicians on average are paid $46,250 annually.

Other than Alabama and Mississippi, all other states pay their technicians at least $50,000 per year or more, on average. Some of the lowest include West Virginia, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.

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What Factors Can Affect My Salary

While the median salary for medical records and health information specialistsa category that includes medical billers and codersis just over $46,000 a year, pay may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live, how much experience you have, what certifications you have earned, and your level of education.

What Are The Highest Paying States For Medical Billers And Coders

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The salary for medical billing and coding professionals can vary by state. This is due to the demand for medical coders, the overall economy of the state, and other factors such as the number of jobs available in the field. The five states that offer the highest salary for medical billers and coders include

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How Can I Earn More

You cant control some things that impact your pay: For example, you cant fast forward in time so you suddenly have more experience. That said, billers and coders can take steps within their power to earn more.

Most important is to be thoughtful and strategic about which steps you takeand in what direction.

Not long ago, several people on Korns staff wanted to advance their careers, so they started a coding program. The problem: The program didnt focus on the type of skills needed to grow their career in the way they wanted. A program or certification only takes you where you want to go if it aligns with your goals, Korn explains.

Education:

More education generally translates to a higher income. Can you take classes part time to earn an associate or bachelors degree? You can increase your earning potential by studying online or in person.

Certification:

Medical coders who have a basic credential, such as a Certified Professional Coder , generally earn more than those who have finished a training program but havent sat for a certification exam. You can also stack certifications, adding more throughout your career to potentially increase your pay.

Networking:

When you network with other professionals in the field, you open yourself up to advance your career, Korn says.

How To Become A Medical Coder

To become a medical coder, you first need a high school diploma or GED. These are necessary for taking the next steps toward a rewarding, in-demand career in healthcare. From there, youll want to pursue a diploma or certificate program in medical billing and coding.

Medical billing and coding involves understanding medical terminology, diagnoses, diseases, and the proper codes used to bill insurance companies and patients. While youre not expected to memorize every medical code and term, knowing how to properly use them and look them up is vital to being successful on the job.

Besides technical skills like understanding and translating codes, a successful medical biller or coder needs to have soft skills such as being detail-oriented, adaptable, and personable.

According to Jaime Nguyen, MD, MS, MPH and Director of Allied Health Programs for Penn Foster, in order to be a great medical biller and coder you have to really enjoy detail and like communicating with people. And like communicating with different parties, and really wanting to help people. If Im a patient and Im ill, one of the most stressful pieces of is understanding the financial piece of it. How much is my insurance going to cover, how much am I going to owe for this medical bill?

A great medical biller or coder should be able to explain what is covered by the patients insurance and what the patient is responsible for.

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Average Medical Billing And Coding Salary By Workplace Size

Another factor in determining your potential salary as a medical coder is the size of the practice or business you work for. Larger practices or medical facilities are likely to pay more for experienced coders than smaller practices due to the revenue they bring and the increased workload you may be expected to take on.

Medical coders who work for larger healthcare systems can expect to earn more than someone working for a small doctors office with an average annual salary of $57,862.

Job Prospects And Potential Pay

Medical billers and coders in Indiana earn an average salary of $36,440 per year. There is room for even more earning potential as experienced medical billers and coders can earn up to $54,490 on an annual basis. The job market is continuing to demand more medical billers and coders as there is expected to be an 18% job increase in Indiana over the next decade.

Some Indiana cities you may look to for medical billing and coding education information: Vincennes, South Bend, Indianapolis, New Albany, Michigan City, Hammond, and Greenwood.

Top Indiana cities/areas for medical billing and coding careers: Indianapolis, Carmel, Gary , Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, Louisville , Jefferson County, Cincinnati , Middleton , Columbus, Kokomo, and Lafayette.

Just a few employers of medical billers and coders in Indiana:

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What Is Medical Coding

Medical coding is the process of translating procedures, diagnoses, prognoses, medical services, and medical equipment into codes using numbers and letters. These codes are used by medical professionals, healthcare administrators, and insurance companies to properly process invoices and accurately bill the appropriate parties for medical costs.

Because the job involves specialized knowledge, such as an understanding of different codes and how to use them, most medical coders need some formal education in the field. Usually, this education can be completed as a career diploma or certificate within a little more than a year. Once youre working in the field, you may also be required to pursue continuing education on a regular basis to stay up to date with the newest codes, policies, and medical procedures.

While you dont necessarily need experience in the medical field before becoming a medical coder, many coding professionals start out as nurses, medical office assistants or managers, or in other healthcare jobs before transitioning to coding. If you dont have experience in the medical field before working as a medical coder, earning your certification can help you stand out when applying for jobs.

Indiana Medical Biller Or Coder Overview

Medical billing and coding share some similarities and both are classified as health information technicians. However, they are two separate professions. The two are categorized together in many instances, yet the job requirements are different.

Medical billers in Indiana are at the center of the billing process. They are entrusted with preparing bills to be sent to insurance companies and other responsible payers. There are other tasks that come with the job, which include balancing daily deposits, handling claims disputes and filing appeals.

There is a fair amount of clerical work in medical billing, but the job also requires dealing with people on an individual basis. Medical billers are often required to explain the details of claims to patients and frequently resolve any inquiries made by insurance companies. Therefore, it is important for medical billers to be very adept in knowing all the complexities that come with various insurance policies.

Requests for additional information from insurance companies are also directed to medical billers. Meanwhile, interpreting insurance benefits to patients is a common job assignment. To handle all of these responsibilities, medical billers in Indiana should have good writing and communication skills. Multi-tasking is another asset of a medical biller and good customer service skills are also a plus.

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Average Salary / Medical Billing And Coding / Indiana

Average salary for Medical Billing and Coding / Indiana is $33,288 USD per year. The most typical earning is $32,008 USD. All data are based on 1 salary surveys. Salaries are different between men and women. Men receive an average salary of n/a. Women receive a salary of $33,308 USD.

Based on education, the highest salaries receive people with High School with salary of $33,308 USD. The second most paid education level is n/a with salary of n/a.

Different experiences affect earning as well. People with 1-2 Years of experience receive salary of $33,308 USD. Employees with n/a of experience receive n/a.

Medical Billing And Coding Salary In Indiana

Difference Between CNA & MA Job Tasks

How much does a Medical Billing And Coding make in Indiana? The salary range for a Medical Billing And Coding job is from $35,864 to $54,159 per year in Indiana. Click on the filter to check out Medical Billing And Coding job salaries by hourly, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, and yearly.

HOW SHOULD YOU USE THIS DATA?

Employees: Use this as a guide for salary expectations, but be aware that responsibilities can change across companies for the same job title, so there may be differences between this data, other free site and our subscription products bought by employers.

Employers: This data could be used as reference point in your market pricing, but not the only source, due to differences across jobs locations, and sizes of companies.Consider additional sources like our Employer reported data.

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1. Emergency Department FAQs English | Midland Health To help you understand what to expect during an emergency department visit, we have provided answers to some commonly asked questions. Another process that we at Midland Health implemented was a separate treatment area to treat acutely ill patients with

S To Become A Medical Biller Or Coder

Below is a step-by-step guide to becoming a medical biller and coder. These steps include general requirements, but specific education requirements vary by state.

1. Obtain a high school or GED diploma.

2. Enroll in a medical biller or coder program at a technical school or an associate degree program.

3. Continue your education through on-the-job training.

4. Earn certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders, if desired, to become a certified professional coder.

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Reasons To Start A Medical Billing And Coding Career

Medical billing and coding certification can provide you with a way to enter the healthcare field quickly and with a relatively low barrier to entry. This administrative role will not have you interacting with patients daily, but it is vital to the proper functioning of our healthcare system. Here are 10 reasons to start a medical billing and coding career today:

You do not have to be involved in patient care to enjoy a rewarding career in healthcare. As a medical biller and coder, you will be responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers receive appropriate compensation for the care they provide while helping patients get the maximum benefit from their insurance.

The most common medical billing and coding job settings include hospitals, doctors’ offices, and insurance agencies. Government agencies have also been known to employ medical billers and coders, including the National Center for Health Statistics and Medicaid offices. Some medical billing and coding professionals even work for companies that develop medical software, and others work for educational institutions that train other medical billers and coders. You may even have the option to work from your own home.

What Is The Difference Between Certification Exams

Obtaining a CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification implies that an individual has met competencies in the field of medical billing and coding. Certification is invaluable to the student’s career goals. Students have an opportunity to make confident, informed decisions about the national certification they prefer.

The Certified Professional Coder exam is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders . It is the gold standard entry-level coding certification for physician, or professional fee, coders.

The Certified Coding Associate is offered by the American Health Information Management Association . It is an entry-level medical coding certification across all settings–physician practices and inpatient hospital.

The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist is offered by the National Healthcareer Association and is currently an entry-level medical billing certification for physician practices. In the summer of 2021, the exam will transition to an entry-level billing and coding certification, with the inclusion of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II testing.

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