The healthcare system in the State of Kansas is growing and offers many employment possibilities to those who are interested in this field.
One option is medical billing and coding, which is part of the administrative aspect of this system.
Here you can learn more about the certification you need, schools, and what salary you can expect in this position in this state.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding is nowadays, an important part of this field, especially when it comes to collecting data.
Through the process of coding, a person transforms ailments and treatments alike into a code, which can then be used elsewhere by another person.
Medical coders work with these main codes:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
They are however expected to know these sets even better:
- CPT,
- ICD-10-CMN,
- HCPCS Level II.
One can’t really know these codes without attending some classes.
Specialized training will show you:
- What the codes are
- How to use them
- How they’re organized
Once training is over, you’re expected to pass a test and then you’ll receive the CPC certification.
What is Medical Billing?
Most of the time, medical code is used to create medical bills, which help patients pay for the treatments they received in hospitals or clinics.
These bills are also needed by the insurance companies so that those who have insurance can benefit from it.
A medical biller learns about all these aspects, and more, during a training program.
Those who want to work in the medical billing field, need to pass the test at the end of the program to obtain the CPB certification.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
To start your training as a future medical coder or biller you need to prove you graduated from high school or that you have a GED.
Fortunately, having higher education or degrees are not mandatory for such a position.
Furthermore, there are no other special requirements either, making this occupation easy to access.
AAPC is the institution that created the certifications for medical billing and coding in the US.
The certifications are issued by AAPC, but training courses can be found at a series of colleges across Kansas as well.
The training usually doesn’t last for more than 8 months, and the classes are available online as well, not only in person.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
BARTON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 245 NE 30th Road Great Bend, KS |
BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE | 9705 Lenexa Dr. Lenexa, KS |
BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE | 2106 South 9th Street Salina, KS |
BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 901 S Haverhill Rd El Dorado, KS |
COLBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 1255 S Range Colby, KS |
COWLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 125 S 2nd St Arkansas City, KS |
GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY | 16025 West 113th Street Lenexa, KS |
HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 606 W Main Highland, KS |
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 1300 N Plum St Hutchinson, KS |
JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 12345 College Blvd Overland Park, KS |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 10310 Mastin Overland Park, KS |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 7309 East 21st Street North Suite G-40 Wichita, KS |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 8428 West 13th Street North Suite 120 Wichita, KS |
NEOSHO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 800 W 14th St Chanute, KS |
RASMUSSEN COLLEGE-KANSAS | 620 SW Governor View Topeka, KS |
WICHITA AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100 Wichita, KS |
WICHITA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 2051 South Meridian Wichita, KS |
WRIGHT CAREER COLLEGE | 10700 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, KS |
Make sure that the school you’ll enroll at is willing to help its graduates with finding a job, should they need it.
Expected Salary
Those who choose to get both certifications to have better employment opportunities and a higher salary.
Your salary will also increase as you accumulate more experience.
There are some cities where medical billers and coders earn, on average more than in the rest of the state.
These cities are Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, and Lenexa, to name a few.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Wichita | $36,890 |
Overland Park | $37,491 |
Kansas City | $37,606 |
Olathe | $37,389 |
Topeka | $35,814 |
Lawrence | $36,391 |
Shawnee | $37,491 |
Manhattan | $35,430 |
Lenexa | $37,491 |
Salina | $36,507 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawrence, KS | 60 | $50,570 | $24.31 | $61,510 | $34,760 |
Manhattan, KS | 50 | $42,470 | $20.42 | $57,730 | $29,120 |
Topeka, KS | 170 | $51,630 | $24.82 | $67,430 | $35,480 |
Wichita, KS | 370 | $46,160 | $22.19 | $63,890 | $32,690 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Extra Info
Many folks like to apply to the largest employers in Kansas first.
These are:
- Saint Luke’s Hospital: opened in 1882 and with a network of centers across the state
- This facility offers to its employees either a 403b or a 401k plan, life and long term disability, vision and dental plans, and flex spending accounts, as well as other benefits.
- Atchison Hospital is another hospital with more than a century of experience in a variety of medical fields.
- Their employees receive dental insurance, paid time off, short term disability, life insurance for spouses and dependents, sick leave, and a few more benefits.
- Bob Wilson Memorial Grant County Hospital opened more recently, but those working here still get benefits such as pension plans, life insurance, long term disability, and more.
Medical coders and billers have the extra benefit of being able to work from home, at least partially.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder