Medical Coding and Billing in Maryland

Though the medical industry of Maryland does have numerous job openings for those who are trained in patient care, that isn’t the only way to get involved in this growing industry. If you are good with numbers, a quick thinker, and able to work independently, an administrative health care position may be a better fit for you.

Paperwork has always been an essential part of this industry, but it is even more crucial now. In Maryland, the amount of uninsured residents has dropped steadily since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Baltimore Sun, 2015). Making sure that people can properly use their benefits and that care providers are compensated for the work they do requires special expertise. Becoming a medical coding and billing specialist gives you the in-depth knowledge that Maryland health care employers look for.

As the Affordable Care Act ensures that more and more people are covered by health insurance, you can expect paperwork to become much more complicated. Learn more about medical coding and billing programs in Maryland to get ready for this exciting career path.

What to Expect in Maryland Medical Coding and Billing Training

The amount of training you need to become a coding and billing specialist depends a lot on which school you decide to attend and how much prior education you have. If you have completed any college coursework in the past, you may have a strong general education base that has prepared you for advanced study.

The most common options in Maryland are certificate, diploma, and Associate’s degree programs, which range in length from six months to two years.

While you work your way through this program, you should take courses in many different health care specialties. Some of the courses that may be part of your curriculum include ICD-10 Coding, Anatomy and Physiology, Fundamentals of Billing Reimbursement, Medical Terminology, Comprehensive Medical Coding, and Hospital Billing and Reimbursement.

Many courses focus on preparing you for certification, a process that may have a positive effect on your career. In addition, many schools hope to adequately prepare you for the work force by setting you up with practicum courses, an internship, or an externship.

To fund your degree, you may want to apply for scholarships and grants through your school, government programs, and private organizations. For example, the Western Maryland Health System awards more than half a dozen scholarships each year in this industry.

Working as a Medical Billing and Coding Professional in Maryland

If you want to become a certified medical billing and coding professional, you should start getting ready for this part of your career before you even graduate. You must go through a lengthy application process before taking an exam, so getting started sooner may benefit your job search. Certification is not required in this field, and the largest optional certification program in the United States goes through AAPC.

Working in Maryland may give you the chance to earn more than medical billing specialists in other states. In Maryland, the average salary for a medical records technician is $43,700 per year, which is almost $10,000 above the national average (O*Net, 2015). Through the year 2022, O*Net expects to see job openings in this field increase by 7% (O*Net, 2015). While some coding and billing technicians may work from home or be self-employed, the majority are hired by hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical institutions for on-site coding.

Not only does medical billing give you the opportunity to create a stable and long-lasting career for yourself, it gives you the chance to improve life in Maryland. Get started now by contacting medical billing and coding programs in Maryland.

Maryland

Brightwood College
Campus Locations in: Baltimore, MD / Beltsville, MD / Towson, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
Program Types Offered: Certificate