Medical Billing and Coding
The Medical Billing and Coding Technician job has a number of titles referring to the same job. It is also known as a Medical Transcriptionist, Certified Billing and Coding Specialist or Medical Billing Specialist. The job may be performed in an office or sometimes at home. It can be either full time or part time. There are 3960 people performing billing and coding in Oklahoma now with expectations of healthy job growth through 2026.
Medical billing and coding professionals are critical links between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients. As the healthcare industry continues to decentralize, well-trained billing and coding specialists remain in high demand. Advances in medical science have resulted in longer life spans. As aging populations make greater use of medical services, there is a corresponding need for medical coding and billing specialists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for medical records and health technicians will grow by 13% by 2026.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses two classifications for medical billers and coders. Although some duties overlap between these professionals, the BLS provides different statistics on health information technicians and financial clerks in the healthcare industry.
Health information technicians oversee patient information in medical facilities. They not only file patient records in the correct digital and physical spaces, but they also ensure accuracy and confidentiality throughout the process. Throughout the nation, these professionals earn a median annual salary of $39,180. Technicians who work in hospitals earn an average of $42,090 yearly. The BLS projects a 13% growth rate for this profession from 2016-2026.
The financial clerk label covers billing professionals across several industries, including those who have specific medical field training. These clerks earn a median wage of $38,680 per year. However, those who work with insurance companies earn $41,090 annually. The BLS projects 9% job growth in the next 10 years for all financial clerks and 11% for those who process insurance claims.
Job Duties
- Completion of claims to payers in a timely fashion
- Convert dosages to billable units
- Submit billing data to insurance providers
- Work claims and claims denials to insure maximum reimbursement for services provided
- Implement,maintain and report on programs initiated by medical practice
Salary
Medical billing and coding workers in the Sooner State earn average salaries just below the national standards. Insurance specialists make $39,820 annually, and health records technicians earn $35,790.
Education
Medical coders and billers do not need postsecondary education, but competition for jobs remains difficult without it. Most employers expect professional certification after a formal training program. The American Medical Billing Association (AMBA), the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC), and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) grant professional credentials.
Billing and Coding training occurs most frequently in vocational schools in Oklahoma although it may happen in a community college. A certificate as a Certified Coding Assistant may or may not be required in addition to completion of classes. An associateʼs degree takes two years to complete. The following are some schools where training in billing and coding is offered:
- Autry Technology Center in Enid, Oklahoma
- Chisolm Trail Technology Center in Omega, Oklahoma
- Community Care College in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- FrancisTuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton, Oklahoma
- Indian Capital Technology Center in Stilwell, Oklahoma
- Tulsa Community College in Tulsa, Oklahoma
