A career in the medical profession has the capability of bringing job stability, competitive
pay and great benefits for years to come. The medical field relies a good deal on medical billers and coders as they play a key role in all types of healthcare facilities. Getting started out as a medical biller or coder can be achieved by following some simple steps. Those steps could begin a pathway to a whole new future that is paved with possibilities.
State Licensing Requirements
Indiana does not issue licenses to medical billers and coders. While there are certain medical professionals who need to maintain a current license, medical billers and coders do not fall into that group. There is no need for medical billers and coders to take any state-mandated tests or pay any licensing fees.
Indiana Medical Biller or Coder Overview
Medical billing and coding share some similarities and both are classified as health information technicians. However, they are two separate professions. The two are categorized together in many instances, yet the job requirements are different.
Medical billers in Indiana are at the center of the billing process. They are entrusted with preparing bills to be sent to insurance companies and other responsible payers. There are other tasks that come with the job, which include balancing daily deposits, handling claims disputes and filing appeals.
There is a fair amount of clerical work in medical billing, but the job also requires dealing with people on an individual basis. Medical billers are often required to explain the details of claims to patients and frequently resolve any inquiries made by insurance companies. Therefore, it is important for medical billers to be very adept in knowing all the complexities that come with various insurance policies.
Requests for additional information from insurance companies are also directed to medical billers. Meanwhile, interpreting insurance benefits to patients is a common job assignment. To handle all of these responsibilities, medical billers in Indiana should have good writing and communication skills. Multi-tasking is another asset of a medical biller and good customer service skills are also a plus.
Indiana medical coders also play a major role in the billing process as the codes that are used in medical bills come directly from coders. Medical coders use a coding system to represent medical services, procedures, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions and much more. The coding system is rather extensive, which means medical coders in Indiana need to have a broad knowledge base. Codes are used to represent all sorts of medical services and those codes are used to make sure every patient is billed accurately.
Medical coding involves a lot of numbers and requires coders to be able to identify and differentiate similar codes. That requires a close attention to detail as health care facilities depend on a coder’s accuracy to ensure they are financially reimbursed by insurance companies. Medical coders occasionally consult with physicians to ensure 100% accuracy in the reports, notes, and transcriptions they are required to translate into codes.
Medical coders in Indiana are compliant with federal rules and regulations while also being well versed in any state laws that are specific to their job assignment. Medical coders work well without direct supervision and meet strict deadlines.
Education Requirements
A high school diploma or GED equivalency is required to begin training in most medical billing and coding training programs. It is up to each post-secondary school to set their own mandatory requirements for admission. However, those requirements do not include any credits beyond the high school level.
Indiana Medical Billing and Coding Certification Requirements
The state of Indiana is home to post-secondary schools that offer medical billing and certification programs. There are a number of community colleges, four-year colleges and technical institutes that offer training in medical billing and coding. That training is offered in the form of a one-year certification program or two-year Associate’s Degree.
Certification programs are the quickest path towards a future as a professional medical biller or coder. Some of these programs take less than a year to complete. The coursework typically includes training in healthcare documentation, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and other subjects specific to the job.
Two-year programs cover the same material, although it is more comprehensive. Completion of these two-year programs results in the awarding of an Associate’s Degree in Medical Billing and Coding.
Additional certifications can be earned by passing an exam offered by a nationally recognized organization, such as the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) and AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). These certifications are offered separately in medical billing and medical coding as each exam is designed for those respective disciplines.
Hospitals, healthcare facilities, doctor practices and medical centers set their own job requirements in regards to what is an acceptable form of certification. There is no one certification or degree that is universally accepted by every healthcare facility in Indiana. However, attaining a certification is often a necessary step towards gaining employment.
Job Prospects and Potential Pay
Medical billers and coders in Indiana earn an average salary of $36,440 per year. There is room for even more earning potential as experienced medical billers and coders can earn up to $54,490 on an annual basis. The job market is continuing to demand more medical billers and coders as there is expected to be an 18% job increase in Indiana over the next decade.
Some Indiana cities you may look to for medical billing and coding education information: Vincennes, South Bend, Indianapolis, New Albany, Michigan City, Hammond, and Greenwood.
Top Indiana cities/areas for medical billing and coding careers: Indianapolis, Carmel, Gary (IN Metropolitan Division), Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, Louisville (KY), Jefferson County, Cincinnati (OH), Middleton (KY), Columbus, Kokomo, and Lafayette.
Just a few employers of medical billers and coders in Indiana:
- Adams Hospital
- Columbus Regional Hospital
- Riley Children’s Health
- Parkview Health
- Lutheran Hospital of Indiana
- Dekalb Health
- Johnson Memorial Hospital
- Union Hospital Clinton
Resources
Medical Coding Jobs in Indiana
LinkedIn provides an in-depth listing of medical jobs throughout the state of Indiana.
Indiana Health Information Management Association
This association provides a host of useful resources for medical billers and coders.
Learn more about Indiana health centers, check out the latest events, and read a regular blog on this website.