Medical Coding and Billing in Minnesota
Minnesota, one of the Midwestern states that has most enthusiastically adopted the Affordable Care Act standards, is an area where health care is one of the most profitable and successful industries. Between thriving university-based health care systems and Mayo Clinic, one of the most renowned care centers in the world, it should come as no surprise that this industry has seen massive growth in recent years throughout the state.
Through the lower rate of uninsured residents and the hard work of health care specialists, Minnesota has seen a significant decrease in unpaid medical costs. Between 2014 and 2015, unpaid costs dropped 6% (Star Tribune, 2015).
As Minnesota legislators attempt to expand the health care program and make it more accessible to low-income residents, proper billing procedures are more important than ever. Find out if medical coding and billing is a career opportunity you might be interested in. With a degree in this field, you may work with patients, insurance companies, and care institutions to ensure that care providers accurately bill for procedures and that billing standards are upheld.
Find out more about getting started in this field by checking out the list of Minnesota medical coding and billing programs below.
What to Expect in Minnesota Medical Coding and Billing Training
Coding and billing is different from other health care specialties in that it does not focus primarily on patient interaction and care. In fact, you may spend very little of your time working with patients throughout your career. However, you must still meet strict professional standards, and that starts with the type of education you get.
Programs in Minnesota tend to adhere to strict learning outcomes, such as a thorough understanding of the ICD-10 coding system, utilization of patient privacy laws and ethics, a strong grasp of medical terminology and phrasing, and the ability to use current coding and billing programs.
Although these goals may seem pretty extensive, you may be able to meet them fairly quickly. Some programs only require one or two semesters of study. Some of the classes that may be part of your school’s curriculum include Professional Medical Coding, ICD-10, Procedural Coding, Diagnostic Coding, Billing Reimbursement, Facility and Hospital Reimbursement, and Medical Terminology.
As is the case with many health care careers, there are quite a few organizations that award scholarships to students in this specialty. You may want to look at the scholarships offered by the Minnesota Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
Working as a Medical Billing and Coding Professional in Minnesota
The future of medical coding and billing in Minnesota seems to reflect national growth. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net hopes to see a 17% increase in Minnesota job openings (2015). In Minnesota, professionals in this field report an average salary of $42,400 per year, which is several thousand dollars higher than the national median (O*Net, 2015).
Legally, you do not need to have a license to practice as a medical coding and billing specialist. However, you may discover during your job search that many employers prefer those who have earned certification. Because of this, you may want to start preparing for certification while you are still a student. AAPC administers a certification exam. Once you pass this exam and prove that you meet the education standards of the group, you can get certified.
The health care industry has changed a lot recently, but those changes aren’t done yet. Use this opportunity in the industry and take the next step in your career by contacting Minnesota medical coding and billing programs.