In Idaho, the medical industry offers many job opportunities in different branches.
If you are looking for an administrative position, check out medical coding and billing.
This article will shed some light on the certification process and the training required to get a job in the field.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
Medical codes are a collection of shortcodes used to name services and ailments in the industry.
These shortcodes are only used by health workers.
You will need to know how to organize each code as well as what it is used for.
In Idaho, you have to know CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II coding.
The three categories of codes are:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
What is Medical Billing?
When a customer gets a procedure or a service, the healthcare worker will have to issue an invoice.
The invoice is sent to the client but also to the insurance company.
The process through which this is done is called billing and is used so the medical personnel can get paid.
To work in medical billing, you will have to know how the reimbursement and insurance process works.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
You will only need a high-school diploma or a GED in order to work in medical billing and coding.
You do not need any higher education.
However, in order to get a job in the industry, you will need to become certified.
The certifications are available through the AAPC, which the country’s biggest association of this type.
The certifications you need are:
- CPB certification is for billing
- CPC certification is for coding
You can also opt to get certified in both coding and billing.
This can bring you a higher salary and better job prospects in the future.
Before you get your certification, you will need to attend a training program.
There are a few schools that provide training for future medical coders and billers in Idaho.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO | 315 Falls Ave. Twin Falls, ID |
LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE | 500 8th Ave Lewiston, ID |
NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE | 1000 West Garden Avenue Coeur d'Alene, ID |
When choosing a school, there are a few things to keep in mind.
One of these things is whether you can attend the class in person, or you would prefer an online program.
If you want to get hired on an entry-level position right away, you should look for a program with job placement options.
Unlike other fields, you can start your career soon after getting certified, as the programs last for only 8 months.
Expected Salary in Idaho
After receiving your certification, you may want to know how much you will earn.
As a rule, salaries are higher in larger regions like Panhandle of Idaho non-metro area, Boise City and Coeur d’Alene.
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate in Idaho dropped to 3.5%.
This means that the industry keeps growing, and it will be easy for a freshly certified individual to find a job.
You will also receive a higher wage once you have some years of experience.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Boise | $36,346 |
Meridian | $36,308 |
Nampa | $35,963 |
Idaho Falls | $34,823 |
Pocatello | $33,289 |
Caldwell | $35,925 |
Coeur d'Alene | $37,694 |
Twin Falls | $33,174 |
Lewiston | $37,821 |
Post Falls | $37,776 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boise City, ID | 790 | $55,290 | $26.58 | $78,620 | $38,700 |
Coeur d'Alene, ID | 140 | $47,770 | $22.97 | $61,230 | $34,800 |
Idaho Falls, ID | 100 | $45,680 | $21.96 | $66,660 | $33,040 |
Lewiston, ID-WA | 50 | $46,930 | $22.56 | $63,270 | $32,740 |
Pocatello, ID | 70 | $47,910 | $23.04 | $59,290 | $36,600 |
Twin Falls, ID | 60 | $49,600 | $23.85 | $69,010 | $38,990 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Employment Info
If you want to know what companies are hiring medical coders and billers in Idaho, read below:
- Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center: This medical center was founded in 1986, and offers benefits like tuition reimbursement, a retirement plan, and a professional bonus program.
- St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital: There are over 500 employees in this hospital, that provides dental, vision, and orthodontic insurance, disability plans, and paid leave.
- West Valley Medical Center offers its employees a 401k plan, vacation time, paid leave, vision and dental insurance, and flex spending accounts.
Now that you have an idea of what you need to do to start your new career, you only have to find the right school to train at.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder