Iowa provides many work opportunities for those working in healthcare.
If you also want to get a job in the field, consider medical billing and coding as an option.
You will find out more about the average salary, career opportunities, and training requirements in Iowa below.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
In the medical field, services and ailments are gathered in a collection of shortcodes.
These shortcodes are organized differently and also have different uses.
To work in the field, you will need to be familiar with them and what each code stands for.
In Iowa, you will have to know the following shortcodes:
- CPT,
- ICD-10-CMN,
- HCPCS Level II.
They are part of these 3 major sets of codes:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
What is Medical Billing?
Medical workers need to be paid for the services they offer to customers.
For this to happen, the insurance company and the individual are sent an invoice called billing.
In medical billing, you will need to be familiar with the reimbursement process and know-how insurance works.
You will also have to know how to release an invoice, as well as other specific terms within the industry.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
To start a career in medical coding and billing, you don’t need any higher education, but you do have to get proper training.
All you need to enroll in a program is to have is a high-school diploma or a GED.
In addition, medical billing and coding training usually does not last for more than 8 months.
So, you will be able to start working on an entry-level position soon after.
You will also need to get one of the certifications offered by the AAPC.
The AAPC is the largest medical organization that focuses on billing and coding in the US.
If you want to work in billing, you need to get a CPB certification.
If you prefer to pursue a career in medical coding, you will need to get a CPC certification.
In Iowa, there are some schools that provide training and certification in the field.
These can be seen in the table below.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE-QUAD CITIES | 2119 Kimberly Rd. Bettendorf, IA |
HAMILTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 1011 E 53rd St Davenport, IA |
INDIAN HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 525 Grandview Ave Ottumwa, IA |
KAPLAN UNIVERSITY | 7009 Nordic Drive Cedar Falls, IA |
KAPLAN UNIVERSITY | 3165 Edgewood Parkway SW Cedar Rapids, IA |
KAPLAN UNIVERSITY | 1801 East Kimberly Road Davenport, IA |
KAPLAN UNIVERSITY | 4655 121st Street Urbandale, IA |
KAPLAN UNIVERSITY | Plaza West 2570 4th Street SW Mason City, IA |
You can also opt to get a certification in both billing and coding.
This will bring you better career opportunities and the chance to earn a higher wage.
Before picking a school, you should think about whether you want to attend online or in person.
You can also decide on a school that provides employment places after the training course.
Since medical billing and coding pertains to the administrative field, you can also choose to work from home on some occasions.
Expected Salary
Once you finish your training program and receive your certification, you can start looking for a job.
You may also want to know what is the expected salary in medical billing and coding.
You will be able to earn more after you get some years of experience.
Furthermore, salaries are higher in the bigger cities in Iowa like Iowa City, Omaha-Council Bluffs, West Des Moines, or Ankeny.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Des Moines | $37,058 |
Cedar Rapids | $36,346 |
Davenport | $36,181 |
Sioux City | $31,872 |
Iowa City | $36,047 |
Waterloo | $34,630 |
Ames | $36,713 |
West Des Moines | $37,058 |
Council Bluffs | $36,217 |
Ankeny | $37,058 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ames, IA | 50 | $44,240 | $21.27 | $60,230 | $32,280 |
Cedar Rapids, IA | 220 | $50,290 | $24.18 | $65,490 | $37,540 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 360 | $48,000 | $23.08 | $60,320 | $36,260 |
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 850 | $51,520 | $24.77 | $60,810 | $38,420 |
Dubuque, IA | 70 | $49,110 | $23.61 | $61,120 | $38,750 |
Iowa City, IA | 360 | $58,480 | $28.12 | $74,370 | $48,300 |
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 100 | $45,330 | $21.79 | $56,290 | $34,580 |
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 100 | $46,440 | $22.33 | $60,510 | $36,500 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the medical billing and coding in Iowa will see an increase over the following years.
Other Info
If you are looking for a place of employment, check out the following facilities in Iowa:
- Adair County Health System, Fontanelle: Founded in 1950, the facility provides dental and vision insurance, a retirement plan, and paid leave.
- Allen Hospital: This hospital provides benefits like vacation time, health insurance, a 401k plan, and disability plans.
- Buena Vista Regional Medical Center: Some of the benefits you can get by working at this center include vision and dental insurance, disability options, professional education assistance, and paid leave.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder