If you want to work as a medical biller or coder in New Jersey, you first need to know what it entails.
This is a more administrative career in the medical field, but you still need a certification.
Take a look at the info below to learn more about the training process and job outlook in this state.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Billing?
When people receive medical services, they also need to pay the healthcare providers.
In order for them to be paid, an invoice has to be issued to both the individual receiving the services and the insurance company.
This process is called medical billing, and to work in the branch, you need to know how insurance works.
You will also have to be familiar with the reimbursement process.
In order to be able to create invoices, you will need to learn some specific terms used within the industry.
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding is the data that is gathered when a product or medical service is provided.
Each of the services has a name, which is then turned into a shortcode for medical personnel to use.
To work in this branch, you need to know what each code means, as they are different from one another.
You also have to learn how to organize these codes and work with them.
The codes you will need to learn in New Jersey are CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II.
Getting Trained and the Certification
If you plan to work in either medical coding or billing, you need to enroll in a training program.
The training programs in these medical branches last for 8 months or less.
This allows you to start looking for a job faster than in other industries.
The school you opt for has to be accredited by the AAPC.
This is the biggest medical association in the country and also the one that manages the licensing process.
After the training is over, you will also need to take an exam.
In order to be allowed for the exam, you need to have at least 80 hours of education and a year or work experience.
If you didn’t attend a trade school program, you will need to have a work experience of at least 2 years.
In medical billing and coding, you will need the CPC certification for coding and the CPD one for billing.
There are some schools in New Jersey that offer training programs, which are:
School Name | Address |
---|---|
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES & EDUCATION | 4500 New Brunswick Ave Piscataway, NJ |
BERKELEY COLLEGE-WOODLAND PARK | 44 Rifle Camp Rd Woodland Park, NJ |
BRANFORD HALL CAREER INSTITUTE | 40 Journal Square, 1st Floor Jersey City, NJ |
BRANFORD HALL CAREER INSTITUTE | 651 US Route 1, South 1st Floor North Brunswick, NJ |
BRANFORD HALL CAREER INSTITUTE | 959 Route 46 East Parsippany, NJ |
EASTWICK COLLEGE | 250 Moore Street Hackensack, NJ |
EASTWICK COLLEGE | 103 Park Ave Nutley, NJ |
EASTWICK COLLEGE | 10 South Franklin Turnpike Ramsey, NJ |
FORTIS INSTITUTE-LAWRENCEVILLE | 2572 Brunswick Pike, Suite 100 Lawrenceville, NJ |
HARRIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | One Cherry Hill, One Mall Drive Ste.700 Cherry Hill, NJ |
HARRIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | 3620 Quakerbridge Rd Hamilton, NJ |
HARRIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | 1201 New Road, Ste 226 Linwood, NJ |
HARRIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | 401 White Horse Rd. Voorhees, NJ |
HEALTHCARE TRAINING INSTITUTE | 1969 Morris Ave Union, NJ |
LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE-PARAMUS | 240 Bergen Town Center Paramus, NJ |
MEDICAL CAREER INSTITUTE | 901 West Park Ave Ocean, NJ |
SALEM COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 460 Hollywood Avenue Carneys Point, NJ |
STAR CAREER ACADEMY–BRICK | 150 Brick Boulevard Brick, NJ |
When you choose a school, you also have to think of whether you have time to attend in person.
If you already have a second job, you can simply choose an online program.
Maybe you want to start working right away, and in that case, search for a school with employment options.
Unlike in other branches of the medical industry, in billing and coding, you will be able to work from home.
Salary Expectations in New Jersey
In this state, the BLS prognosis is pretty good.
It is expected that jobs will increase by 13% from 2016 and up to 2026, and the unemployment rate is low.
If you want to know what are the salaries in billing and coding, you should know this varies.
You will probably be able to earn more in metropolitan areas such as Newark, Trenton, and Camden.
In the rural areas of the state, the salaries might be lower.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Newark | $43,826 |
Jersey City | $46,435 |
Paterson | $44,248 |
Elizabeth | $43,826 |
Edison | $43,058 |
Lakewood | $43,709 |
Woodbridge | $43,058 |
Toms River | $43,072 |
Clifton | $44,248 |
Trenton | $43,365 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 60 | $63,450 | $30.5 | $80,760 | $38,180 |
Ocean City, NJ | 40 | $58,260 | $28.01 | $101,070 | $44,570 |
Trenton, NJ | 170 | $60,340 | $29.01 | $83,430 | $43,840 |
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | 50 | $60,070 | $28.88 | $100,250 | $38,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Medical billers and coders that already have some experience will also earn more compared to entry-level employees.
Other Info
You might want to know what are the biggest employers in New Jersey.
Some of the companies include the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation, Carrier Clinic, and Summit Oaks Hospital.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder