According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, the medical billing and coding field is projected to grow in the short and long term – at least through the year 2021 – at an annual rate of 2.9 percent, adding 35 new jobs in the field every year in addition to those vacated by persons retiring or leaving the industry.
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Closely tied to general demand in the medical field, industry experts would not be surprised if the growth rate in the medical billing and coding field was higher than predicted. According to a report released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management, in 2013 the state experienced its highest year of population growth in more than a decade, hinting at a possible future trend. This combined with an aging baby-boomer population is projected to combine in the coming decades to create a perfect-storm scenario for healthcare demand in the state- a strain on Washington’s economic resources and a boom for employees in the healthcare and healthcare-support fields, including medical billing and coding. Now is the perfect time to begin training and education to prepare for a career in this field.
Demand for Medical Billing and Coding Across Washington
In general, there is a correlation between cities and counties with a higher percentage of population over 65 and the demand for medical billers and coders. Although there is an overall need for employees in this field across the state, there are certain geographic regions where demand is greater and job opportunities are high. These are identified by the Employment Security Department as being:
- Tacoma and Pierce County
- Spokane and Spokane County
- Seattle and King County
There is also an increased demand for medical billers and coders in Washington’s larger cities:
- King County including Bellevue, Federal Way and Renton
- Snohomish County and Everett
- Vancouver and Clark County
Employees in the field can also be found in the state’s medium- to smaller-sized cities in places such as:
- Kent Behavioral Health Center
- Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
- Capital Medical Center and Providence Saint Peter Hospital in Olympia
Typical work environments in this field will be found in:
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Outpatient care centers
- Nursing care facilities
- Home health care services
- Mental health facilities
- Rehabilitation institutions
- Community clinics
Washington Medical Billing and Coding Accreditation and Certification
The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates that the average education in Washington State for employees in the medical billing and coding field is post-secondary non-degree. Positions will specify the level of education required, although candidates are encouraged to aim for the top especially if they are interested in moving up to more advanced careers in the medical and healthcare industry.
Community colleges, technical schools, universities, and online institutions offer an education in medical billing and coding at many places across the state at no fewer than 23 locations. Programs include:
- Medical Billing Assistant Certificate
- Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Training
- Medical Insurance Billing & Coding Certificate
- Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Diploma
- Medical Billing and Coding Associate Degree
Medical billing and coding in Washington offers high salary package in healthcare industry
The health care industry remains to develop at a speediest way and that has elevated the demand for all types of novice and experienced personnel. Medical billers and coders are the most important part of that set as each of those designations are in high demand all over the world. There are different ways to embark in the medical billing and coding job, which means a great prospect in the health care industry, might be best around the corner.
General Overview of a Medical Coder and Biller
Health care amenities have their personal way of billing patients for their services. Medical billers construct detailed lists that comprise all of the services delivered to a patient. These wide-ranging services are signified by codes and the real bills are mentioned to as claims. Before these claims are referred out to patients or third-party billing firms, a medical biller makes them and makes sure they are precise.
In the procedure, Washington medical billers utilize medical billing software and also category through their segment of paperwork. That needs medical billers to own robust managerial skills additionally to being computer expert.
Washington medical billers also answer to patient analyses and deal straight with insurance firms. There are several occurrences when claims are uncertain or repudiated and it is up to medical billers to connect why that occurred. Therefore, medical billers in Washington have excellent oral skills and are proficient of offering first-rate customer service. The profession of a medical biller comprises both clerical and communicative duties.
Medical coders in Washington are responsible for providing the codes that are utilized on claims. This is completed by achieving medical reports, notes, documents, and records and revolving them into the right codes. Medical coders can interpret all of that information into codes, depending on their widespread knowledge of coding. This needs a close attention in proper details and information as well as also an expertise of the abundant medical codes along with the ICD (International Classification of Diseases).
Medical coders in Washington seldom ever manage patients and sometimes have to contact with doctors, in the occasion that there is some doubt about a service. Medical coders are self-governing works and can offer on strong time limit. Medical coders also require a little observation and typically work in an office setting.
Both medical billers and coders in Washington have an extensive knowledge of medical jargon. All professionals also follow to HIPPA and secrecy strategies. Medical billing and coding are distinct jobs, even though one individual can work on both obligations.
Washington License Requirements
In the state of Washington, medical billers and coders are not mandatory to get a license. That means there is no request procedure or yearly charges. Medical billers and coders in Washington are totally free to perform job in any hospital, medical center, physician’s office or any other type of health care platform without holding any license.
Job Prospects and Potential Pay
The average income for a Washington medical biller and coder starts from $43,720 every year. The top reported wages for Washington medical billers and coders are some of the maximum in the country. Skilled medical billers and coders in Washington have the abilities to make up of $62,560 per annum.
Find out more about medical billing and coding schools in the following Washington cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, Everett, Renton, Olympia, Bellingham, Ellensburg, Vancouver, Kent, Yakima, Federal Way, Kennewick, Auburn, Pasco, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, Richland, Kirkland, Burien, Sammamish, Lacy, Edmonds, Bremerton, Puyallup, Wenatchee, Issaquah, Mount Vernon, Walla Walla, Pullman, SeaTac.