The medical billing and coding industry in South Dakota keeps growing.
If you feel this is the right career path for you, read more about what these jobs entail.
You will also be able to find out more about the certification process and expected salaries.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
Coding describes an amount of data that is compiled into shortcodes.
These shortcodes are then used by healthcare professionals to describe services and diseases.
In South Dakota, the following codes are being used:
- CPT,
- ICD,
- HCPCS
Keep in mind that you will need to know how each code functions.
You will also have to know how to organize and use each code whenever needed.
The codes you need to be fluent in this state are CPT, ICD-10-CMN, and HCPCS Level II.
Medical coders also have to know specific terms that pertain to the industry.
What is Medical Billing?
Medical billing is used by medical staff to receive payment for the service they provide.
In order for this to happen, you need knowledge of how to make an invoice.
The invoice is sent to the insurance company as well as the client.
This means you need to be know how insurance functions, and how reimbursement works as well.
Some specific terminology is used in medical coding, just like in billing.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
If you decided to work in either of these branches, you will need to get certified.
While certification is not mandatory, most employers don’t hire medical billers and coders who don’t have it.
You can opt for only one certification or more than one.
This will help you get a better salary and increased job duties after you get hired.
The certifications available are the CPC for coding and CPB for billing.
Both these certifications are handled by the AAPC, which is the biggest medical entity in the US.
You can only get the certification after you pass an exam.
The exam typically has 150 questions and tests your knowledge in the field.
To be able to take the exam, you first need to train.
This can be easily done once you enroll in a training program.
The schools offering training programs in South Dakota can be seen below.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | 820 N Washington Ave Madison, SD |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY-RAPID CITY | 5301 South Highway 16 Rapid City, SD |
NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY-SIOUX FALLS | 5801 South Corporate Place Sioux Falls, SD |
PRESENTATION COLLEGE | 1500 N Main Aberdeen, SD |
SOUTHEAST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 2320 N Career Ave Sioux Falls, SD |
You can get enrolled in a program that offers hiring options right after.
You can also choose to attend a program online instead of one in person.
To get enrolled in a school, you need to have at least a high-school diploma or a GED.
The medical billing and coding programs usually last around 8 months.
If you want to get an associate’s degree, you should expect to study for about 2 years.
Coding and billing positions allow you to work from home, which can help people with mobility issues.
Salary Expectations in South Dakota
If you want to know how much you will earn, you should know the prospects ate quite good.
In South Dakota, the BLS expects an increase of 13% in medical billing and coding jobs.
This is expected to take place from 2016 and up to 2026.
If you want to make more money, you might want to choose to get hired in a bigger area.
These areas include Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Sioux Falls | $33,633 |
Rapid City | $33,307 |
Aberdeen | $31,277 |
Brookings | $33,057 |
Watertown | $33,057 |
Mitchell | $33,057 |
Yankton | $32,321 |
Pierre | $31,852 |
Huron | $32,167 |
Spearfish | $32,731 |
Regional Salary in South Dakota
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rapid City, SD | 170 | $49,770 | $23.93 | $63,690 | $31,530 |
Sioux Falls, SD | 570 | $55,830 | $26.84 | $82,290 | $34,080 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Once you get more experienced, you will also be able to have a higher salary.
Other Info
Once you have your certification, you can choose to work for an employer in South Dakota.
The most important employers in this state are Rapid City Regional Hospital, Black Hills Surgical Hospital, and Brookings Health.
These facilities provide benefits such as 401k plans, health insurance, paid time off, and disability plans.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder