Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Idaho

Medical billing and coding professionals are vital components of the health care system, overseeing and maintaining the coding and payment infrastructure. These individuals may work across a spectrum of health care organizations, including physicians' offices, hospitals, private clinics, insurance companies and more.

Those interested in pursuing a career in this stable, growing career field may wish to turn to medical billing and coding schools in Idaho for training in a diploma or certificate programs.

Medical billing and coding education and certification

Traditionally speaking, medical billing and coding education takes several forms: certificate programs, diploma programs and associate degree programs. Instruction may be available in both online and on-campus formats, providing choice and flexibility to prospective students.

Depending on the program and class availability, students may complete their education in a relatively short time-frame, from as little as six months to two years or more. Coursework varies by school and program, but the fundamental instruction typically includes study in the following areas:

• Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). Created by the American Medical Association, CPT is a standard, unified coding system used by medical practitioners across the country.
• ICD-9 and ICD-10. Both ICD-9 and ICD-10 are diagnostic coding systems and, on October 1, 2015, ICD-10 will replace ICD-9 as the standard coding system.
• Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System are a group of procedure codes based upon Current Procedural Terminology from the American Medical Association

Other topics may include anatomy, pharmacology, data information processing, business management and more.

After completing an educational program, students may be eligible to take several medical billing and coding certification examinations, including the following:

Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS). Provided by the National Healthcareer Association.

Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS). Provided by the Certifying Board of the American Medical Billing Association.

Certified Coding Associate. Provided by the American Health Information Management Association

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Provided by the American Health Information Management Association

Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-Based (CCS-P). Provided by the American Health Information Association

Insurance and Coding Specialist (NCICS). Provided by the National Center for Competency Testing

Additionally, the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) also offers a wide range of professional certifications for graduates of medical and billing schools in Idaho Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the AAPC provides training and certification to medical billers and coders. It has over 140,000 worldwide members and offers several professional certification tracks:

• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
• Certified Professional Coder-Hospital Outpatient (CPC-H)
• Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
• Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P)

For experienced coders, the AAPC provides 22 specialty certifications across a range of practice areas, from dermatology to cardiology, general surgery to urology. Example certifications include the following:

• Ambulatory Surgical Center - CASCC
• Cardiology - CCC
• Family Practice - CFPC
• Pediatrics - CPEDC
• Urology - CUC

Certifications are not required by the state of Idaho for employment, but may be preferred by employers in the state.

Career projections for graduates of Idaho medical billing and coding schools

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billers and coders are part of a larger occupational group: Medical Records and Health Information Technicians. The national median wage for that group of occupations in 2013 was $34,970 (BLS.gov).

In Idaho medical records and health information technicians earned an average wage of $33,540 in 2013 (BLS). However, earnings do vary by location and data from the BLS reveals the difference in salaries for various metro areas in the state in 2013:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013 Metropolitan Occupational and Wage Estimates - Idaho

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 22 percent job growth between 2012 and 2022 for individuals employed in the group of medical records and health information technician. However, job prospects are even stronger in Idaho, with Projections Central projecting 25 percent growth within the state between 2012 and 2022.

Sources

AAPC, Medical Coding Certification, https://www.aapc.com/certification/medical-coding-certification.aspx

AHIMA, CCS Certification, http://www.ahima.org/certification/CCS

AHIMA, CCSP Certification, http://www.ahima.org/certification/ccsp

American Medical Association, CPT Coding, http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/cpt/cpt-process-faq/code-becomes-cpt.page

Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013 Metropolitan Occupational and Wage Estimates - Idaho,

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Health Information Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm

Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292071.htm

Drexel University, Medical Billing and Coding, http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/nursing-degrees/medical-billing-coding/index.aspx

Kaplan University, Medical Billing and Coding, http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/health-sciences/medical-billing-coding-certificate.aspx

National Healthcareer Association, Billing and Coding Specialist Certification, http://www.nhanow.com/billing-coding.aspx

Penn Foster University, Medical Billing and Coding, http://www.pennfoster.edu/programs-and-degrees/medical-billing-and-coding/medical-billing-and-coding-career-diploma

Projections Central, Idaho, ProjectionsCentral.com