There comes a time when making the right career choice can pave the way to a much
brighter future. That kind of bright future can exist for those who choose a career as a medical biller or coder. The medical field continues to boom and that does not have any signs of slowing down. To meet such a high demand, more medical biller and coder job openings are sprouting up all the time. Medical billing and coding professionals enjoy a long line of perks when entering into this field.
Job Prospects and Potential Pay
Medical billing and coding professionals in Minnesota make an average salary of $44,890 per year. There is the potential to earn a higher yearly salary as the pay rate can reach $59,980 annually for medical billers and coders in Minnesota. The job market has plenty of room for new medical billers and coders in Minnesota as there expects to be 10% more new positions opening up in the next five years. New openings are anticipated throughout the state as the demand grows in all different areas of Minnesota.
Minnesota cities with medical billing and coding education institutions: Saint Paul, Granite Falls, Rochester, Fergus Falls, North Makato, Winona, Roseville, Thief River Falls, Minneapolis, and St. Cloud.
Top Minnesota cities/areas for medical billing and coding careers: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Northwest Minnesota, Southeast Minnesota, Duluth, Rochester, Southwest Minnesota, St. Cloud, Fargo (ND), Mankato, North Mankato and Northeast Minnesota.
Just a few employers of medical billers and coders in Minnesota:
- Cambridge Medical Center
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital
- Regions Hospital
- St. Cloud Hospital
- Lakeview Hospital
- Fairview Hospital
- Hennepin County Medical Center
- Children’s Minnesota
- North Memorial Medical Center
- Mercy Hospital
- Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital
Certification Requirements
The process of becoming a medical biller or coder in Minnesota starts with training that is specific to both professions. That training is available in various post-secondary schools and colleges in Minnesota. Certificate programs last an average of one year and cover both medical billing and coding disciplines. These certificates can be used to gain employment and also prepare students to take national examinations offered by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) and AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders).
These two organizations provide individual certifications for medical billing and medical coding. Some healthcare facilities urge applicants to hold a certification from one of these organizations.
Another route to obtaining employment as a medical biller or coder in Minnesota is through the awarding of an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Medical Billing and Coding. This degree is offered by colleges and typically takes two years to complete. The coursework covers both medical billing and coding.
Health care facilities and medical centers in Minnesota set their own criteria for hiring new medical billers and coders. While that criteria may differ, non-certified job applicants stand much less of a chance of obtaining employment.
Overview of a Minnesota Medical Biller
Medical billers have a host of responsibilities which drives the entire health care billing process. Medical billers are provided with codes that are used to create itemized claims that are sent out to insurance companies and responsible payers. It is the job of a medical biller to track these claims, follow up with unpaid claims and handle claims disputes.
There is a lot that goes into all of those services, which makes medical billers in Minnesota well equipped to handle a variety of tasks. Multi-tasking is a primary skill used by medical billers. Organizational skills also come in handy, along with the ability to use medical billing software.
Medical billers in Minnesota also have a broad range of knowledge, which extends to knowing the specifics of insurance company policies and proper healthcare documentation. HIPPA privacy laws are also expected to be followed by medical billers.
Medical billers often find themselves interacting with patients and insurance companies, making it necessary to have strong communication and customer service skills. Problem-solving is another valuable asset as medical billers often find themselves in the middle of disputes between patients and insurance companies.
Overview of a Minnesota Medical Coder
Medical coders in Minnesota spend more time handling data than actually interacting with people. Medical coders are provided with documentation of health care services provided to a patient and then turn all of that into a series of codes. Every single treatment and service performed on a patient is assigned a specific code. This job can be done in an office, cubicle or even at home.
Medical coders work well without direct supervision and are capable of handling numerous assignments at one time. The coding system is very specific, which demands high levels of accuracy from medical coders in Minnesota. In the event that there is some uncertainty about a diagnosis or procedure, medical coders will contact the necessary health care provider to resolve the issue.
Because these codes will appear on claims, it is important that they are precise. Otherwise, patients would be billed incorrectly, or health care facilities would be losing out on the money. Medical coding precedes the billing process and it is important not to under code or overcode. This demands a close attention to detail from medical coders as they are capable of focusing on the task at hand. There are a long line of codes and Minnesota medical coders are capable of immediately matching codes with the exact medical service, procedure or product.
State Licensing Requirements
Minnesota does not issue any licenses to medical billers or coders as there are no state requirements or guidelines to work in this profession. Medical billers and coders have the option of working in any Minnesota hospital, physician’s office, or another type of health care facility without a state-issued license. Medical billing and coding certifications are not classified as licenses.
Education Requirements
Earning a high school diploma or GED equivalency can begin the process of starting an education as a medical biller or coder. There are no prerequisite for post-secondary school credits and no entrance exams required to begin a medical billing and coding education.
Resources
Medical Billing Jobs in Minnesota
Check out the most recent medical billing jobs available in Minnesota on this website.
Minnesota Medical Code Advisory Group
Frequently asked questions about coding in Minnesota are answered on this state-operated website.
The medical coding positions available in Minnesota are listed with ways to apply online.
Minnesota Group Medical Management Association
Medical professionals can take advantage of all the informational resources listed on this association’s website.