If you want to work in the medical industry on an administrative position, consider billing and coding.
These 2 professions belong to the same branch and require training as well as certifications.
Read on in order to learn more about how to start your new career.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding is the collection of data that describes certain medical services and procedures.
In order to work in medical coding, you need to know how to organize every code, as they are different from one another.
You will also have to be familiar with the CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II coding.
There are 3 categories of medical codes:
• CPT,
• ICD,
• HCPCS
You will have to know what each code means and which one should be used.
For that, students have to learn specific terminology that belongs to coding.
What is Medical Billing?
The medical staff needs to be paid for the services they provide to clients.
For that, an invoice to the client but also the insurance company has to be issued.
This process is what medical billing is, and it is used all throughout the medical industry.
You will also need to be familiar with some terms, just like in coding.
Some of the things you should know are how the insurance works, and also how the reimbursement process is done.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
To get into either medical billing or coding, you need to get the CPB or the CPC certifications.
You can opt to get both, for an increased salary and more responsibilities on the job.
The CPB certification is used for billing, while the CPC is used for coding.
The certification process is managed by the AAPC, the nation’s biggest medical organization.
To get either of the certifications, you have to first pass an exam.
The exam is only available once you complete a training program.
You will also have to show that you have at least 80 hours of schooling along with a year of work experience.
Alternatively, you can also send in proof that you have 2 years of work experience in coding and billing.
In order to receive the required training, you need to enroll in a school.
In Nevada, you can check out the below schools that provide training programs in coding and billing:
School Name | Address |
---|---|
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA | 6375 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV |
GREAT BASIN COLLEGE | 1500 College Parkway Elko, NV |
HEALTHCARE PREPARATORY INSTITUTE | 5831 West Craig Road Suite 102 Las Vegas, NV |
KAPLAN COLLEGE-LAS VEGAS | 3535 W. Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV |
NORTHWEST CAREER COLLEGE | 7398 Smoke Ranch Road, Ste 100 Las Vegas, NV |
If you are wondering what school to pick, this depends on what suits your needs more.
For instance, if you are already employed, you may want to attend an online program rather than one in person.
If you also want to have the security of a first job, choose a school that offers employment placement after completion of the program.
There are also some schools that allow students to attend the CPC exam even if they are still training.
Generally, a training program in the field will have a duration of 8 months.
Since medical billing and coding are administrative jobs, you can choose to work from home.
Salary Expectations in Nevada
Reports by BLS show that the unemployment rate in Nevada is low.
The same source reports that from 2016 to 2026, there will be a growth of 13% in jobs in the industry.
Since you got your certification, you might also want to know what is the salary you can earn.
If you work in a metropolitan area, you will earn a higher salary.
The salary you will get also depends on how many years of experience in the job you have.
The best cities in Nevada where you can get hired are, based on how much you’ll earn are Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Las Vegas | $39,777 |
Henderson | $39,624 |
Reno | $38,530 |
North Las Vegas | $39,777 |
Sparks | $38,530 |
Carson City | $38,683 |
Pahrump | $39,201 |
Sun Valley | $38,530 |
Elko | $32,658 |
Fernley | $37,970 |
Regional Salary in Nevada
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carson City, NV | 100 | $58,240 | $28 | $79,410 | $43,050 |
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV | 1,100 | $46,930 | $22.56 | $66,070 | $34,440 |
Reno, NV | 210 | $48,590 | $23.36 | $63,420 | $36,800 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Other Info
The most important employers in Nevada include Boulder City Hospital, Children’s Heart Center, and Mesa View Regional Hospital.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder