Medical Coding and Billing in New Jersey

In New Jersey, there are many barriers that can keep people from getting the health care they deserve. The cost of living in this state is known for being considerably higher than the national average, which may make medical expenses far too high for the average family. However, New Jersey legislators and health care executives are trying to change that.

They know that it is important to not only make care affordable, but to make it as high quality as possible (Daily Record, 2015). Because of this, standards in New Jersey are focusing on keeping plans as reliable as they can be and ensuring the use of appropriate billing and coding practices at all institutions across the state.

Medical coding and billing specialists are clearly an important part of these efforts. Whether you are looking at an emergency room or a highly specialized clinic, every procedure and diagnosis must be billed for. Coding and billing technicians are often the only professionals who can accurately bill for procedures and make sure that bills get paid in a timely manner.

If you’re ready to explore career options in this field, check out our list of medical coding and billing programs in New Jersey.

What to Expect in New Jersey Medical Coding and Billing Training

When you compare medical billing and coding to patient-based career paths like nursing, you may discover that medical billing is a much shorter option. In fact, if you attend school full-time, you may be able to earn your diploma or certificate in just a few months. If you would rather earn an Associate’s degree, a comprehensive degree that includes general education courses, you should plan on dedicating two years to your education.

Programs all over New Jersey tend to have fairly similar training requirements. By the time you graduate, you should understand how to use coding and billing applications, medical terminology and how it relates to the human body, proper creation and storage of medical records, and health care systems. Some of the courses you may take include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Health Care Systems and Practices, Pathophysiology, Electronic Health Records, and Medical Terminology.

Applying for financial aid, while time-consuming, is one of the safest ways to get funding for your degree and minimize the amount of student debt you take on. The New Jersey Hospital Association awards grants to health care students each academic year.

Working as a Medical Billing and Coding Professional in New Jersey

Overall, the medical billing industry in New Jersey is stable. In the years between 2012 and 2022, O*Net hopes to see a 9% increase in job openings (2015). You may find that demand is higher in large urban areas, where hospitals and clinics may have entire departments of medical coding and billing specialists. Reported salaries in New Jersey are substantially higher than national averages; the average salary for a medical records technician in New Jersey is $58,300 per year (O*Net, 2015).

Throughout your training, you should hear quite a bit about certification and licensure. This field does not currently have licensure requirements, since you do not provide patient care or even spend most of your time working with patients. However, certification is extremely valuable, as it is in many health care fields. Through AAPC, you can take a thorough licensing exam and obtain certification. You must then keep it valid through ongoing education and renewal.

New Jersey medical institutions don’t just need care providers. They need professionals who can process paperwork quickly and accurately. Find out how you can improve the billing process in New Jersey by contacting medical coding and billing programs in New Jersey.