Medical billing and coding is a great career opportunity for people who are organized and have attention to detail. Today, many of the medical coding jobs are remote, allowing you to earn a good salary while avoiding the commute. Employers usually look for candidates with certification, because the revenue cycle for medical facilities depends on accuracy.
If you’re in California, you can get certified through an online training program in less than a year and learn everything you need to get your first job in medical coding and medical billing. Here is more information on this exciting career.
What is Medical Billing and Coding?
Medical billing and coding is the process of translating and documenting medical diagnoses, treatments, and procedures into universally standardized codes the entire medical industry can understand. These codes are used for billing and insurance claims, as well as for medical records.
Medical coding and medical billing are two separate positions, but in smaller medical offices, they may be the responsibility of one person. In larger medical facilities, these are usually two separate positions.
What Do Medical Coders and Billers Do?
Medical billers and medical coders have some overlap, but they are interconnected jobs, which is why it is often referred to as billing and coding. Both are responsible for encoding a patient visit accurately, coders for medical records and for the medical billing department; medical billers for the insurance claims for reimbursement. Together, these two jobs use the ICD-10CM and CPT-4 coding systems to help facilitate payment between health care providers, insurance companies, and patients, and transcribe accurate medical records for each patient visit.
There are many things medical billers and coders do at work each day, this is an overview of the duties of each position.
Medical coders transcribe a patient visit and physician's treatment into a series of universal codes (ICD-10, CPT-4, HCPCS). These codes are used by medical facilities and insurance companies to create a record of a patient's visit and submit an insurance claim. Each code has guidelines on how they can be used, so accuracy is essential.
Medical billers take the coded report of a patient visit from a medical coder and submit claims to the insurance company. They follow up with the insurance company and the patients to make sure the medical office is compensated properly.
How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder in California
These are the steps for becoming a medical biller and coder in California, whether you attend an online, in-person, or hybrid class.
1. Enroll in a Medical Billing and Coding Program
Most medical billing and coding programs in California or online are a year or less, and offer the necessary training to pass the necessary exams for certification. Research the curriculum, quality of education, and certifications you will receive. A comprehensive program will give you certifications for both medical billing and medical coding.
2. Complete the Billing and Coding Program
The classes in your program should cover physiology and anatomy, health insurance, claims processing, electronic health records, legal issues in healthcare, and CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding.
Additionally, those interested in how to become a medical biller will find that our curriculum includes extensive training on the billing process, ensuring you are well-prepared for certification. Your medical coding program should also prepare you for the certification exam. Some programs also provide an externship, where you can get hands-on practice in the field.
3. Pass the Certification Exam
There are different exams for medical billing and coding. With the certification program at Campus, you are prepared to take and pass either the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification exam. Campus is endorsed by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and American Medical Billing Association (AMBA). Once you pass the certification exam, you will be fully prepared to launch your career in medical billing and coding.
4. Apply for Jobs and Start Your Medical Billing and Coding Career
Some programs have externship opportunities which will give you hands-on experience, which employers like to see in candidates. Job boards and hiring sites can give you an idea of who is hiring in your area or remotely. Create a resume that shows off your skills and experience and apply for jobs. Getting experience will help you land positions with more responsibility as you advance in your medical billing and coding career.
Can You Take Billing and Coding Classes Online?
Yes, the Medical Billing and Coding Professional program at Campus is entirely online, meaning you can complete all the coursework from your home or anywhere with an internet connection and a device that connects to the internet. You can complete your program from the comfort of your home or remotely.
How Long Does It Takes to Complete a Medical Billing and Coding Program?
The time it takes to complete a medical billing and coding program varies from school to school, but most programs take 9 to 12 months to complete. There’s a lot to learn with medical coding, and the nuances of the different codes. Medical billing has a lot of important details to learn when it comes to dealing with insurance payers. Make sure the program you choose covers the education you need to get an entry-level position in billing and coding.
Is Medical Billing and Coding Difficult?
There is some level of complexity and nuance to medical coding and billing. It is extremely important that the medical coding is accurate as possible and the insurance claims filled by the medical biller are scrubbed and filled out accurately. Insurance claims can be denied if there are inaccuracies, which disrupts the revenue cycle of the medical office. The positive thing is the ICD-10CM codes are the same everywhere, they mean the same thing in every medical facility and insurance payer. The difficult aspect is there can be different codes if a procedure is used for different purposes, so understanding these nuances is incredibly crucial. On the medical billing end, every insurance company has different protocols for filling out their medical claims, so you must be detail-oriented and use critical thinking every day. All that said, this is a very good job for people who can learn the different codes for the procedures and fill out reports and claims with great accuracy.
Job Outlook and Salary
Medical billing and coding is a profession that is still growing quickly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nationwide job growth of 9% between 2023 and 2033 [1], much faster than average. In the US as of May 2023, medical billers and coders earn an average of $50,250 per year and an average wage of $24.16 per hour, In California as of May 2023, billers and coders earned a median average salary of $59,700 and an average mean salary of $68,080. California billers and coders in 2023 earned and hourly median wage of $28.70 and an hourly mean wage of $32.73 according to the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS).
Become a Medical Biller and Coder with Our Online Program
In less than ten months, you can become a certified medical biller and coder with our online training program from Campus, formerly MTI College. Our online Medical Billing and Coding Professional program will teach you all you need to know to become certified and start your career with confidence. For more information on start dates, financial aid, or program length, contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.
[1]: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.