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Building a career in medical coding and billing can offer many rewarding opportunities.
If you would like to work in the industry in South Carolina, read the following article for info on certification and salaries.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Billing?
Medical billing is the process that enables the medical staff to get paid for their services.
A medical biller needs to know how to create an invoice, and how insurance works as well.
Knowledge of the reimbursement process is also required.
In billing, you will need to be familiar with some terms used within the industry.
The invoice you create will be sent to both the client receiving the service and the insurance company.
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding is the process through which certain data is turned into shortcodes.
The shortcodes are used to identify medical services, products, or illnesses.
In South Carolina, you need to know the following codes:
- CPT
- ICD-10-CMN
- HCPCS Level II
You will also need to be skilled in organizing each code and knowing its meaning.
Every code is different from the other, and you will have to know how to differentiate them.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
In order to work in either billing of coding, you first need a high school diploma.
You will also need to develop your skills and have some work experience.
Getting a certification is not required by the state, but if you have higher chances to get hired if you are certified.
There are a few different certifications available, from which the most popular are the CPC and the CPB.
From these, CPC is used in coding while CPB is used in billing.
The entity that manages the licensing process is the AAPC.
This is also the country’s largest medical entity of this type.
You can choose to only get one certification or both of them for higher pay.
However, you will first need to take an exam offered through the AAPC.
This exam will test your medical billing and coding knowledge and skills.
To develop your skills, you can attend a program in a trade school.
Most programs last for about 8 months, which is quite a short time compared to others.
You can also choose to pursue an associate’s degree if you want to get increased job duties in the future.
The schools that provide coding and billing programs in South Carolina are the following:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| CENTURA COLLEGE | 7500 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC |
| CENTURA COLLEGE | 8088 Rivers Ave North Charleston, SC |
| FORTIS COLLEGE-COLUMBIA | 246 Stoneridge Dr Ste 101 Columbia, SC |
| REMINGTON COLLEGE-COLUMBIA CAMPUS | 607 Bush River Rd Columbia, SC |
| SOUTHEASTERN COLLEGE | 2431 Aviation Avenue, Suite 703 North Charleston, SC |
| SOUTHEASTERN COLLEGE | 581 Columbia Mall Boulevard Columbia, SC 29223 |
| SPARTANBURG COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 107 Community College Drive Spartanburg, SC |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 6185 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 7201 Two Notch Rd Columbia, SC |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 2400 David H. McLeod Blvd Florence, SC |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 78 Global Dr Ste 200 Greenville, SC |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 8150 Warren H. Abernathy Highway Spartanburg, SC |
The program you opt for should suit your needs and availability.
So, you can look for a program that can be completed online if you don’t have the time to attend classes.
Keep in mind that some schools provide employment after you finish the program.
As medical billing and coding are administrative positions, many employers will accept you to work from home.
Salary Expectations in South Carolina
The BLS released a report that showcases the growth of 15% in jobs in South Carolina.
The increase will take place in the period between 2016 and 2026.
As the unemployment rate is also low, you will have no issues finding a job if you are certified.
Overall, the jobs that pay more are available in larger cities in South Carolina.
Such cities include Rock Hill, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $36,444 |
| Columbia | $36,043 |
| North Charleston | $36,444 |
| Mount Pleasant | $36,444 |
| Rock Hill | $37,774 |
| Greenville | $37,441 |
| Summerville | $36,283 |
| Goose Creek | $36,390 |
| Sumter | $34,316 |
| Hilton Head Island | $35,641 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 470 | $51,750 | $24.88 | $66,140 | $35,730 |
| Columbia, SC | 860 | $57,360 | $27.58 | $73,620 | $36,520 |
| Florence, SC | 170 | $50,760 | $24.41 | $75,280 | $27,330 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 460 | $51,940 | $24.97 | $75,360 | $33,880 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 100 | $56,870 | $27.34 | $79,190 | $34,380 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 170 | $49,650 | $23.87 | $66,340 | $30,960 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 210 | $51,950 | $24.98 | $72,340 | $37,810 |
| Sumter, SC | 60 | $50,940 | $24.49 | $70,280 | $35,830 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
You will also be able to get a better salary if you already worked for some years and got experience.
Other Info on Medical coding and billing
You may want to know which are the biggest employers in South Carolina after you finish your program.
The facilities hiring in this state includes Allendale County Hospital, Trident Medical Center, and Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center.
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