Missouri offers many work opportunities for those working in the medical field.
If you choose a career path in medical billing and coding, you first need to know what it entails.
Have a look at the training requirements, as well as salary expectations in this state.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
In healthcare, the services provided to clients receive a special code.
This code is then used within the industry, and the whole process is called coding.
There are many codes, and each is different than the other.
So, you will need to know how to organize and read these codes.
You will also need to know the specific terminology in this branch.
The 3 code sets you to need to learn, are:
• CPT,
• ICD,
• HCPCS
If you plan to work in Missouri, you will need to learn CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II coding.
What is Medical Billing?
Medical billing is the process through which medical workers are getting paid.
After providing services, the healthcare workers are issuing invoices to the person.
They also issue the invoice to the insurance company.
This means that you will need to know how insurance works.
Another thing you will need to learn is how the reimbursement process works.
Just like in coding, in billing, you will also need to learn specific terminology.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
In order to get hired in either medical coding or billing, you need to get some training.
In Missouri, the schools you can train can be seen below.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
BRYAN UNIVERSITY | 4255 Nature Center Way Springfield, MO |
COX COLLEGE | 1423 N Jefferson Springfield, MO |
METRO BUSINESS COLLEGE | 2132 Tenbrook Rd Arnold, MO |
METRO BUSINESS COLLEGE | 1732 N Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, MO |
METRO BUSINESS COLLEGE | 210 El Mercado Plaza Jefferson City, MO |
METRO BUSINESS COLLEGE | 1202 E Hwy 72 Rolla, MO |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 3620 Arrowhead Avenue Independence, MO |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 401 North West Murray Road Lee's Summit, MO |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 1030 Wolfrum Road Weldon Spring, MO |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | 7490 North West 87th Street Kansas City, MO |
OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO |
PINNACLE CAREER INSTITUTE | 11500 N Ambassador Ste 221 Kansas City, MO |
PINNACLE CAREER INSTITUTE | 1001 E. 101st Terrace, Suite 325 Kansas City, MO |
SAINT LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 300 South Broadway Saint Louis, MO |
ST LOUIS COLLEGE OF HEALTH CAREERS | 1297 North Highway Drive Fenton, MO |
ST LOUIS COLLEGE OF HEALTH CAREERS | 909 South Taylor Avenue Saint Louis, MO |
VATTEROTT COLLEGE | 8580 Evans Avenue Berkeley, MO |
VATTEROTT COLLEGE | 8955 E 38th Terrace Kansas City, MO |
VATTEROTT COLLEGE | 3850 South Campbell Springfield, MO |
VATTEROTT COLLEGE | 3550 W. Clay Street St Charles, MO |
VATTEROTT COLLEGE | 3709 N. Belt Hwy Saint Joseph, MO |
VATTEROTT COLLEGE | 12900 Maurer Industrial Dr Sunset Hills, MO |
Before you opt for a particular school, make sure you know what program you want to attend.
The certification you need for coding is named CPC, while the one required for billing is the CPB.
These certifications are issued by the AAPC, which is the largest medical organization in the US.
If you want, you can also get certified in both medical billing and coding.
This will help you get more job duties and thus a higher salary in the long run.
You also have to consider if you can attend a program in person or online.
If you want to work right after you get certified, you can also opt for a school with job placement options.
One advantage of working in medical billing and coding is the shot training time,
Most programs only last for 8 months or so.
Upon completing your training program, you will also need to pass an exam managed by the AAPC.
Salary Expectations and Employment Prospects in Missouri
For this state, the BLS has quite a favorable prognosis.
Job openings will keep increasing within the next 10 years.
When it comes to the wage you will receive, this depends on where you live and your experience.
For example, if you work in a big city, you have higher chances to get paid more.
This is also true when it comes to the years working on the job.
Generally, the best places to find a well-paid job are Jefferson City, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Kansas City | $37,674 |
St. Louis | $37,785 |
Springfield | $37,046 |
Columbia | $37,379 |
Independence | $37,633 |
Lee's Summit | $37,531 |
O'Fallon | $37,478 |
St. Joseph | $37,316 |
St. Charles | $37,581 |
St. Peters | $37,499 |
Regional Salary in Missouri
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 50 | $53,060 | $25.51 | $77,630 | $33,280 |
Columbia, MO | 210 | $55,960 | $26.9 | $75,460 | $42,020 |
Jefferson City, MO | 50 | $48,320 | $23.23 | $63,150 | $33,030 |
Joplin, MO | 30 | $43,720 | $21.02 | $58,580 | $31,990 |
Kansas City, MO-KS | 1,320 | $54,430 | $26.17 | $76,220 | $36,890 |
St. Joseph, MO-KS | 40 | $46,360 | $22.29 | $58,050 | $33,860 |
St. Louis, MO-IL | 1,470 | $53,660 | $25.8 | $78,110 | $35,910 |
Springfield, MO | 450 | $51,960 | $24.98 | $73,360 | $36,060 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Now that you completed your training, you may want to know where you can get hired.
The biggest employers in Missouri include the following:
- Barnes Jewish Hospital: This hospital is the biggest in St Louis and provides several retirement plans, life insurance, dental and vision insurance, flex saving accounts, and paid leave.
- Boone Hospital Center: Some of the advantages of working at this hospital include medical and dental plans, tuition assistance, long-term disability, and paid vacation time.
Working in medical coding and billing is a good idea for people who prefer working from home.
Once you finish your training, you can have the career you always dreamed of.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder