Medical Coding and Billing in Ohio
Ohio, like many other Midwestern states, has seen its fair share of changes with the adoption of the Affordable Care Act. Millions of Ohio’s most poverty-stricken residents have health insurance for the first time in years, which means that they may have serious health care needs that must be met.
How does this affect medical institutions in Ohio? It turns out that there are many different answers! The huge increase in patient numbers has led the state of Ohio to accept Affordable Care Act funds to build community care centers throughout the state (Dispatch, 2015). These centers need to be staffed by nurses, doctors, support staff, and billing/coding technicians.
Billing/coding technicians are expected to play an even bigger part in Ohio’s medical industry in coming years, as government agencies and insurance companies are invested in how their money is being spent.
If you’re interested in changing up your career path, keep reading to find out more about medical coding and billing programs in Ohio.
What to Expect in Ohio Medical Coding and Billing Training
Medical coding and billing training in Ohio focuses both on theoretical training and hands-on training, so you should plan on splitting your time between the classroom, the computer lab, and health care institutions. By the time you complete your one to four semesters of training, you should feel totally confident about your ability to use different coding languages and programs to tackle any paperwork that comes your way.
How do you build up these skills? You must work your way through a comprehensive curriculum of coding and billing classes. Some of the classes that are commonly required in this field are Health Records Systems, Health Data Management, ICD Diagnosis Coding, ICD Procedural Coding, CPT Coding, and Health Care Reimbursement. You may get practical work experience at multiple points throughout your education or you may wait until the end of your degree, once your skills are fully formed—each school has its own process.
Ohio has a strong health care community, which has led to the creation of many different scholarships and grants that can make your education more affordable. Some of the sources you should check out include your school, local health care employers, government agencies, and the Ohio Health Care Association.
Working as a Medical Billing and Coding Professional in Ohio
Your medical coding and billing knowledge can take you into many different work environments and many different parts of Ohio. As new community clinics begin to open up, you may get the chance to become part of a new coding and billing team that addresses the health care needs of Ohio. You may also find yourself working for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and health insurance companies.
Ohio can be a great place to get established in your career and really make a difference. Through the year 2022, O*Net predicts a 16% boost in job openings for medical records technicians (O*Net, 2015). They report that the average salary for a medical records technician in Ohio is $35,700 per year (O*Net, 2015).
Certification is an idea that should be on your radar, but it isn’t required, so it shouldn’t keep you from getting out there and getting some experience. Certification is completely optional, but it may have a positive impact on your career trajectory. Professionals who get certified often report higher earnings and greater job opportunities. If you are interested in certification, you can contact AAPC.
Use your career to make the most of doctors’ time and make the health care experience better for patients. Make your move and contact medical coding and billing programs in Ohio.
Ohio
Beckfield College
Campus Locations in: Tri-County Cincinnati, OH
Matching Programs: Medical Billing & Coding Administration – Associate of Applied Science
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree
Daymar College
Campus Locations in: Jackson, OH
Matching Programs: Billing and Coding Specialist – Associate Degree
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree
Miami Jacobs Career College
Campus Locations in: Columbus, OH / Independence, OH
Matching Programs: Medical Billing & Coding – Diploma, Medical Billing and Coding – Diploma
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Remington College
Campus Locations in: Cleveland, OH
Matching Programs: Medical Billing and Coding- Diploma
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Ross Medical Education Center
Campus Locations in: Niles, OH
Matching Programs: Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES