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Perhaps you want to start a career in the medical industry.
In such a case, medical billing and coding could be the right profession for you.
Read on to learn more about how you can get your first job if you live in Colorado.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coders take medical reports and turn them into short-codes.
After that, these codes can be used for different purposes in the medical field.
The major 3 sets of codes include:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
If you want to work in medical coding, you should know how to operate these codes.
In Colorado, you will need to know how to work with CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II coding.
There are different types of codes and each of them uses different terms.
These terms represent medical procedures or ailments.
What is Medical Billing?
Patients receive medical treatments and undergo procedures for which they are invoiced.
Such invoices are delivered through a process named billing.
Both the insurance companies and the person who received the medical service receives an invoice.
This method is used to pay the medical personnel offering medical services.
You will need to know how the insurance process works as well and what affects the reimbursement process.
As a biller, you need to learn specific terms that will help you make an invoice.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
In order to start a career in medical billing and coding, you will need to undergo training.
Usually, a training program in the field does not last longer than 8 months.
This means you can get your diploma quite fast and then find your first job.
There are some schools that also provide job placement options, which can save you the time you would spend applying to jobs.
If you don’t have enough time to attend a full-time course, you can also enroll in an online program.
To get your first job in medical billing and coding you will not need higher education.
The licenses are provided by the AAPC, which is the biggest association of this type in the US.
You can get a CPB or a CPC certification, depending on the branch you want to work in.
CPB certification is requested for billing, and the CPC certification is necessary for coding.
There are many schools in Colorado that offer courses, such as the ones below.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 5401 W. 20th St. Greeley, CO |
| CONCORDE CAREER COLLEGE | 111 N. Havana Street Aurora, CO |
| EVEREST COLLEGE | 9065 Grant St Thornton, CO |
| NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 8242 South University Blvd, Suite 100 Centennial, CO |
| NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 1915 Jamboree Drive, Suite 185 Colorado Springs, CO |
| NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 1079 Space Center Drive, Suite 140 Colorado Springs, CO |
| NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 1325 S. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 100 Denver, CO |
| PUEBLO COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 900 West Orman Avenue Pueblo, CO |
You can also choose a program in both billing in coding.
Such a program will provide you with better career opportunities in the future.
Expected Salary
The overall outlook is positive all throughout the US for jobs in medical billing and coding.
This is also the case for Colorado, where job openings are expected to increase as per the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
One benefit of choosing this career is the possibility to work from home, unlike in other healthcare branches.
When it comes to salaries, you can expect to earn more once you have some years of experience.
Generally, entry-level positions make less money.
Another aspect related to the salary is the region your place of employment is.
Larger cities in Colorado offer a higher salary compared to the rural areas of the same state.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $38,740 |
| Colorado Springs, | $38,127 |
| Aurora | $38,715 |
| Fort Collins | $37,292 |
| Thornton | $38,740 |
| Arvada | $38,740 |
| Westminster | $38,740 |
| Pueblo | $35,526 |
| Boulder | $39,303 |
| Greeley | $37,450 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 120 | $55,390 | $26.63 | $65,760 | $43,070 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 160 | $53,280 | $25.62 | $72,010 | $38,760 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 940 | $63,670 | $30.61 | $85,890 | $41,470 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 70 | $58,600 | $28.17 | $81,070 | $42,470 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 60 | $51,120 | $24.58 | $68,540 | $36,030 |
| Pueblo, CO | 80 | $54,380 | $26.15 | $77,250 | $39,630 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Other info
Perhaps you want to know which are the main employers in Colorado.
Such facilities include:
- University of Colorado Hospital: UCH is a well-known employer that provides tuition reimbursement, a 401k plan, and health insurance.
- The hospital also has a reputable medical school.
- University of Colorado Health: This nonprofit was founded in 1925, and became one of the most prestigious organizations in the state.
- Some of the benefits they offer include retirement plans, insurance options, as well as disability benefits.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder
Medical Billing and Coding Classes by City
Medical Billing and Coding Classes by State