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There are many jobs you can get in the medical field in Maryland.
If you are looking for an administrative career, you could look into coding and billing.
In this article, we have brought you some info regarding the certification process and expected salary.
So, read on in order to learn more about starting your new career.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
In healthcare, there are some shortcodes that are used to name various services and ailments.
All these data, together, is named coding and is used in the medical industry.
Codes have different uses, and you will need to know how to use and organize them correctly.
There are 3 different main codes:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
In Maryland, the codes you will need to know are CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II.
What is Medical Billing?
The services a medical worker provides need to be paid,
In order to be paid, you will need to create an invoice, and this process is named billing.
In order to create an invoice, you will need to know specific terms and how the reimbursement process works.
You will also have to learn how the insurance process functions.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
You only need a high school diploma and a GED in order to work in medical billing and coding.
However, you will need to attend training classes in a program approved by the AAPC.
The AAPC is the largest association of this type in the US, and also manages and issues certifications.
The training period for medical billing and coding is 8 months, which lasts a lot less than training in other professions.
You will also need to take an exam after your training is over.
The schools in Maryland that provide medical billing and coding training include:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ALL-STATE CAREER | 2200 Broening Hwy Ste 160 Baltimore, MD |
| FORTIS COLLEGE | 4351 Garden City Drive Landover, MD |
| FORTIS COLLEGE | 6901 Security Blvd Ste 21 Baltimore, MD |
| HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 11400 Robinwood Dr Hagerstown, MD |
| KAPLAN UNIVERSITY | 18618 Crestwood Dr Hagerstown, MD |
| TESST COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | 1520 South Caton Ave Baltimore, MD |
| TESST COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | 4600 Powder Mill Rd Beltsville, MD |
| TESST COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | 803 Glen Eagles Ct Towson, MD |
When choosing a school to train at, you will have to consider several factors.
For example, if you are already working, you might want to attend a program online instead of one in person.
You can also opt for a school that provides job options after you finish the course.
Depending on whether you want to get into coding or billing, you need different certifications.
For example, the certification is for billing while the certification or required for coding.
If you train to get both certifications at the same time, you will have better job options and a higher wage in the future.
Salary Expectations in Maryland
Once you get your certification, you might also want to know how much you will earn.
The wages vary from city to city and are higher in the larger metropolitan areas of Maryland.
These include Silver Spring, Frederick, and Rockville, as well as Salisbury.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $39,451 |
| Columbia | $39,387 |
| Germantown | $41,298 |
| Silver Spring | $42,471 |
| Waldorf | $42,356 |
| Ellicott City | $39,425 |
| Frederick | $41,071 |
| Glen Burnie | $39,451 |
| Gaithersburg | $42,356 |
| Rockville | $42,420 |
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,610 | $63,190 | $30.38 | $84,430 | $39,110 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 30 | $55,230 | $26.55 | $71,450 | $38,020 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 40 | $50,200 | $24.13 | $64,330 | $36,880 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 130 | $57,430 | $27.61 | $88,060 | $37,140 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 150 | $50,290 | $24.18 | $72,520 | $33,170 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Overall, the prognosis for job openings in medical billing and coding is positive, according to the BLS.
If you have some years of experience in the job you will also make more than an entry-level.
One of the good things about this career is that you can also work from home.
Other Info
After you get your certification, you can start looking for a job.
There are quite a few facilities where you can get hired in Maryland, and these are listed below.
- Anne Arundel Medical Center: This center provides 403b and 401a plans, dental and vision insurance, paid leave, flex saving accounts, disability plans, and 6 paid vacations in a year.
- Good Samaritan Hospital: The hospital provides several benefits which include pre-tax investment plans, dental and vision insurance, a dental and vision, and even a gym.
- Howard County General Hospital offers disability and life insurance, paid time off, as well as retirement plans, among other 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