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So, you decided you want to pursue a career in medical billing and coding in North Carolina.
In that case, you may want to know which are the steps you need to take to start working.
Take a look at the following info on the licensing process, salary expectations, and training requirements.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Billing?
Medical billing is the process through which healthcare providers are getting paid.
When they offer services, the customer will receive an invoice with the amount they need to pay.
The same invoice is also sent to the insurance company.
If you work in billing, you will need to know how to create an invoice.
You will also have to be familiar with the insurance process and reimbursement process.
Medical billers also need to know specific terminology.
What is Medical Coding?
Just like medical billing, coding requires some skills.
There are 3 main categories of codes in North Carolina.
You will need to learn:
- CPT,
- ICD-10-CMN,
- HCPCS Level II coding.
These codes make up some data that is used in the medical industry.
The data represents the names of medical products and services offered by the medical staff.
These codes need to be organized properly, as each of them is different.
You will also need to know how to recognize them and work with each of them based on the medical procedure.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
In North Carolina, you are not required to get certified.
However, you can earn a salary of up to 20% higher if you do have it.
You should also consider that most employers prefer not to hire without certification.
To become a medical coder, you need the CPC certification, while for billing, you need the CPB certification.
These certifications are issued through the AAPC, the largest medical association in the USA.
Some people decide to get both certifications for more job duties and an increased salary.
To get certified, you need to pass an exam that has 150 questions on billing or coding.
In order to develop your skills, you have to enroll in a trade school and complete a program.
To be eligible for the exam in North Carolina, you need 80 hours of classes and a year of experience on the job.
You can also qualify if you have 2 full years of work experience.
Below are the schools in North Carolina that provide training programs:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| CET | 807 E. Main Street Durham, NC |
| College of Wilmington | 3500 Oleander Drive Suite 1111 Wilmington, NC |
| Kaplan College | 6070 East Independence Blvd Charlotte, NC |
| Living Arts College | 3000 Wakefield Crossing Drive Raleigh, NC |
| Southeastern College | 207 Regency Executive Park Drive Charlotte, NC 28217 |
When you choose a program, you should consider if you want to attend online or in-person classes.
You should also consider a school that provides hiring after the completion of the program.
Since both medical billing and coding are administrative positions, you can work from home as well.
This aspect could be helpful for people with mobility problems.
Salary Expectations in North Carolina
According to information released by the BLS, the job outlook in this state is quite favorable.
There will be a 13% increase in medical billing and coding jobs in the years between 2016 and 2026.
The highest salaries are encountered in the state’s metropolitan areas.
These include Greensboro-High Point, Durham-Chapel Hill, Burlington, Wilmington, and Fayetteville.
More isolated regions are offering salaries on the lower end of the spectrum.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $37,593 |
| Raleigh | $36,818 |
| Greensboro | $36,675 |
| Durham | $36,614 |
| Winston Salem | $36,765 |
| Fayetteville | $35,214 |
| Cary | $36,818 |
| Wilmington | $35,003 |
| High Point | $36,895 |
| Greenville | $36,550 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 260 | $45,040 | $21.66 | $59,020 | $33,310 |
| Burlington, NC | 30 | $48,280 | $23.21 | $59,930 | $34,650 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 870 | $49,970 | $24.03 | $69,500 | $35,210 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 470 | $53,110 | $25.53 | $70,110 | $37,530 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 270 | $50,910 | $24.48 | $70,030 | $31,770 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 60 | $50,400 | $24.23 | $78,160 | $33,360 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 310 | $43,470 | $20.9 | $61,100 | $33,830 |
| Greenville, NC | 320 | $51,570 | $24.8 | $63,480 | $38,010 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 140 | $42,760 | $20.56 | $54,170 | $31,200 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 70 | $49,850 | $23.96 | $63,770 | $35,030 |
| New Bern, NC | 70 | $42,820 | $20.59 | $67,690 | $31,490 |
| Raleigh, NC | 590 | $50,970 | $24.5 | $69,480 | $32,000 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 40 | $50,830 | $24.44 | $77,880 | $31,000 |
| Wilmington, NC | 230 | $41,010 | $19.72 | $58,260 | $24,330 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 490 | $57,270 | $27.54 | $79,680 | $37,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
You should also consider your job experience, as experienced workers earn more than someone in an entry-level position.
Other Info
After AAPC issues your certification, you can start looking for a workplace.
There are several companies that hire medical billers and coders in North Carolina.
These entities include Angel Medical Center, Harnett Health Hospital, and Dosher Memorial Hospital.
Now you have all the info you need, you can simply choose a school to train at and start working.
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