Medical coders play a vital role in the healthcare system, and their salaries reflect that importance. In this article, we will take a look at how much medical coders earn on average, and which states pay the best and worst wages.
As you can imagine, medical billing and coding is a very important position in the medical field. So, how much do medical coders earn on average? And which states pay the best? Keep reading to find out!
Job Description
Medical billing and coding specialists play a crucial role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for translating medical procedures and diagnoses into codes that are used to submit insurance claims. This ensures that patients receive the correct reimbursement for their care. Medical billing and coding specialists also help to ensure accuracy in patient records and billing statements.
Related Jobs
There are a few related jobs to medical coding other than working as a medical billing and coding specialist. One job related to medical coding is working as a medical records and health information technician. These professionals work with medical records and coding to ensure that patient information is accurate and up-to-date. They also help to create and maintain patient medical files.
Medical coders may also be interested in working as a medical transcriptionist. These professionals transcribe doctor’s orders and medical reports into code so that they can be entered into a patient’s medical record.
Differences Between Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billers are responsible for creating invoices and submitting them to insurance companies. They may also contact insurance companies to follow up on claims. Coding specialists are responsible for assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures. These codes are used by insurance companies to determine how much to reimburse providers. In this article, we’ll focus on the latter.
How to Become a Medical Coding Specialist?
Both medical billers and coders specialists must have a thorough understanding of medical terminology and coding systems. They must be able to clearly communicate with both healthcare providers and patients. Medical billing and coding specialists typically have an associate’s degree or certification in medical billing and coding, although some may have a bachelor’s degree. Many medical billing and coding specialists also become certified through professional organizations such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Can Medical Coders Work from Home?
Yes, medical coding specialists can work from home. In fact, many medical coding companies allow their employees to work remotely. This is because medical coding can be done entirely online and does not require any in-person interaction. As long as you have a computer and an internet connection, you can do your job from anywhere in the world.
Average Medical Coding Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average medical coding salary is $44,000 per year as of 2022. The top earners in the field earn an average of over $61,000 per year, while the bottom earners make less than $31,000 per year. So, there is a pretty wide range in terms of earnings for medical coders.
By State
Now, let’s take a look at which states pay the best (and worst) for medical coding salaries. The top five states for medical coding salaries are as follows:
- Washington: $63,000 per year;
- Oregon: $60,000 per year;
- California: $60,000 per year;
- Alaska: $56,000 per year.
On the other hand, the five states with the lowest median medical coding salaries are:
- New Hampshire: $34,000 per year;
- South Dakota: $37,000 per year;
- Kansas: $38,100 per year;
- Alabama: $38,000 per year;
- Maine: $38,000 per year.
It is also worth noting that regardless of the location, certified professional coders will always earn more than regular coders.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for medical coding specialists is very good. There is a high demand for these professionals, and the pay is very good. There are many different types of medical coding specialist positions available, and the job market is expected to grow significantly in the next few years. If you are interested in becoming a medical coding specialist, now is a great time to start your career. There are many different training programs available, and the demand for these professionals is only going to increase.
Demographics
There are a variety of different demographics represented in medical coding specialists. The vast majority (79%) are women, with only a small minority (17%) being men. The average age is around 45 years old. There is a relatively even split between those who have coding experience and those who do not have any coding experience. The vast majority of medical coding specialists work full-time, with only a small minority working part-time.
Summary
So, there you have it! Now you know how much medical coders earn on average, as well as which states are the best (and worst) for medical coding salaries. If you’re thinking of a career in medical coding, be sure to do your research to see if it’s the right fit for you. See you soon! Thanks for reading!
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