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Washington has good prospects when it comes to finding a job, especially in the medical field.
Medical coding and billing is a crucial administrative part of the healthcare industry.
It is one of the easiest medical fields to start a career in.
Here’s where you can learn more about needed education and salary for medical coding and billing.
Article Table of Contents
Medical Billing – Requirements, Exam, Certification
Patients can’t pay for their treatments without a medical invoice.
A medical biller is trained to create these invoices.
Medical billers need to:
- Graduate from a training program
- Have an Associates degree
- Know some anatomy
- Know medical terms
- Know pathophysiology
- Be an AAPC member
- Score at least 70% on the test for the certificate
AAPC administers the exam for the medical billing certification.
The exam can be taken for a $399 fee, but candidates who fail can retake it for free in less than 12 months.
There is no actual license for this profession.
Medical Coding – Requirements, Exam, Certification
AAPC oversees the practice of medical coding as well.
AAPC created medical coding to facilitate various processes in which the data on medical records are being used.
Medical coders translate that information into a shorter code according to specific rules.
There are 4 types of certifications for coders:
- Outpatient Coder Certification
- Inpatient Coder Certification
- Risk Adjustment Coder Certification
- Professional Coder Certification
There are 3 types of codes these professionals work more with, seen below:
- CPT,
- ICD-10-CM,
- HCPCS Level II
To become a medical coder you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Knowledge of anatomy
- Know medical terms
- Earn the certification
For the certification, you’ll have to pass an exam by answering correctly at least 70% of the 150 questions, in a time-frame of 5 hours and 40 minutes.
During the exam, you can use the following books to help you out:
- AMA’s CPT Professional Edition
- An ICD-10-CM code manual
- An HCPCS Level II code manual
Training Programs
Since you need a certification to become a medical coder and biller, it’s a good idea to attend some training classes.
This way, you make sure you learn not only everything you need for your new career, but you’ll also improve your chances to pass the exams.
AAPC has some of the best programs for these professions, however, colleges also offer such classes.
The training courses at AAPC include classes for:
- Medical billing
- Medical coding
- Anatomy
- Medical terms
- Pathophysiology
You can choose to only get a certification for one of the branches, coding or billing, or for both.
If you opt for both, you can get more job duties and a better salary after you get hired.
You can only get a certification after you attend and pass an exam and you’ll have to pass 2 exams if you want a double certification.
Unlike in other professions of the medical field, you don’t need to attend a long program in billing and coding.
Most programs have a duration of 6 months.
However, if you choose to get an associate’s degree, your training will last about 2 years.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 3028 Lindbergh Ave Bellingham, WA |
| CLARK COLLEGE | 1933 Fort Vancouver Way Vancouver, WA |
| CLOVER PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW Lakewood, WA |
| COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE | 2600 N 20th Ave Pasco, WA |
| EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 2000 Tower Street Everett, WA |
| GRAYS HARBOR COLLEGE | 1620 Edward P Smith Drive Aberdeen, WA |
| GREEN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 12401 SE 320th St Auburn, WA |
| HIGHLINE COLLEGE | 2400 S 240th St Des Moines, WA |
| LAKE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 11605 132nd Ave NE Kirkland, WA |
| LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE | 1600 Maple Street Longview, WA |
| OLYMPIC COLLEGE | 1600 Chester Ave Bremerton, WA |
| PENINSULA COLLEGE | 1502 E Lauridsen Blvd Port Angeles, WA |
| RENTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 3000 NE Fourth St Renton, WA |
| SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 16101 Greenwood Ave N Shoreline, WA |
| SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE | 2405 E. College Way Mount Vernon, WA |
| SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 1810 North Greene Street Spokane, WA |
| TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 6501 S 19th St Tacoma, WA |
| WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 237 W Kellogg Rd Bellingham, WA |
| YAKIMA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd. Yakima, WA |
Expect to have subjects such as the following:
- Medical codes
- The rules and organization of the codes
- Types of insurance plans
- Local and national coverage determinations
- Payer policies,
- Billing rules and regulations in the healthcare industry
- The life cycle of a medical bill claim
- Anatomy
- Medical terms
Expected Salary and Other Information
In Washington, the average salary of a medical biller and coder is similar to the average in most other states.
The cities where the salaries are higher include St. George, West Jordan, South Jordan, and Salt Lake City.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $41,984 |
| Spokane | $38,069 |
| Tacoma | $40,913 |
| Vancouver | $40,008 |
| Bellevue | $41,984 |
| Kent | $40,831 |
| Everett | $41,063 |
| Renton | $41,943 |
| Federal Way | $40,913 |
| Yakima | $37,984 |
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 70 | $66,650 | $32.04 | $77,090 | $40,210 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 130 | $55,160 | $26.52 | $74,350 | $38,940 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 160 | $55,810 | $26.83 | $74,020 | $38,420 |
| Longview, WA | 50 | $56,260 | $27.05 | $71,470 | $39,270 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 70 | $56,530 | $27.18 | $79,890 | $40,130 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 140 | $57,060 | $27.43 | $75,290 | $41,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,630 | $70,760 | $34.02 | $102,930 | $45,340 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 450 | $54,590 | $26.24 | $69,310 | $39,220 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 50 | $53,000 | $25.48 | $68,540 | $38,620 |
| Yakima, WA | 140 | $53,230 | $25.59 | $65,260 | $37,340 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Residents of Washington who received certification for medical coding and billing can seek employment at these facilities first:
- Cascade Valley Hospital
- Harrison Medical Center
- Coulee Medical 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