North Carolina (NC) Medical Billing and Coding Schools and Job Description

The time has come to start earning more money and relying on a job that is yours for years to come. The medical profession continues to expand and grow, ushering in new jobs all over the country. Among those jobs, there is a high demand for medical billing and coding professionals as it is a primary part of any healthcare facility. That career path can start today as a rewarding future as a medical biller and coder is within everyone’s grasp.

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Overview of a Medical Biller

A North Carolina medical biller is entrusted with a host of different responsibilities that focus on the billing process. Medical billers ensure that every bill, which is referred to as a claim, is 100% accurate. That comes with verifying medical codes, updating patient histories and knowing the specifics of insurance policies.

Once a claim is sent out, medical billers monitor it and follow up until all claims are paid. It is not uncommon for claims disputes to arise, which calls for medical billers to intervene. That requires interaction with both patients and insurance company. Communication skills are always at work for medical billers in North Carolina as there is a good deal of customer service involved. Organizational skills are also used in numerous capacities.

Medical billing software and health care documentation essentials are both utilized by North Carolina medical billers on a regular basis. This type of job is not one-dimensional as medical billers are asked to perform a wide variety of duties. There is both a clerical and customer component of the job. This demands a versatile worker, who is well versed in many policies. As a result, medical billers in North Carolina find work in many health care facilities, including hospitals, private physician practices, health clinics and ambulatory services.

Overview of a Medical Coder

Medical coders in North Carolina are required to translate medical reports into the appropriate codes. In the medical billing process, codes are used to represent all of the services provided to a patient. Medical claims cannot be completed until these codes are provided. That means that medical billers are heavily reliant on medical coders.

Correct coding involves an in-depth knowledge of all the different medical codes. These codes are the primary tool for a medical coder. Failing to assign the right codes will mean that a health care facility will not be financially compensated for all of the services that were provided to a patient. Therefore, medical coders in North Carolina are extremely thorough. Medical coders work closely with medical billers and when there is any uncertainty, they will contact the physician or health care professional to set the matter straight.

Medical coding in North Carolina is an important task that requires a close attention to detail. Strong memorization skills are required and medical coders also work well on their own. The independent nature of the job makes medical coders self-motivated and capable of delivering on tight deadlines.

North Carolina Licensing Requirements

North Carolina has not made it mandatory for medical billers or coders to hold a license. Certifications in North Carolina are not considered the same as a license. Health care facilities will make their own requirements during the hiring process, but at no time will a medical biller or coder be asked to produce a license.

North Carolina Medical Billing and Coding Certification Requirements

Certifications in medical billing and coding can be attained in less than 12 months. That means that new employees can complete the necessary training and be working within a year’s time. Medical billing and coding certification programs are offered by various post-secondary schools in North Carolina. These programs last anywhere between six and twelve months in duration and cover the essentials of medical billing and coding.

This kind of training is also offered by colleges as part of an Associate’s Degree program in Medical Billing and Coding. These Associate’s Degrees take two years to earn when attending a college on a full-time basis. The coursework is also a bit more comprehensive.

A certificate or degree prepares medical billers and coders to take national certification exams offered by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) or AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). These certifications are sometimes required by employers to work as a medical biller or coder in the state of North Carolina.

Employers in North Carolina have no mandatory guidelines with which to navigate them through the process of hiring medical billers and coders. Health care facilities set their own hiring criteria. The majority of health care facilities require some form of certification that shows a medical biller or coder has been adequately trained. There are also facilities that require multiple certifications as qualifications will vary. In today’s job market, medical billers and coders holding a certification or degree stand a significantly better chance of gaining employment when competing with non-certified job applicants.

Job Prospects and Potential Pay

Medical Billing and coding professionals in the state of North Carolina earn an average salary of $35,320 per year. That is not the limit as experienced North Carolina medical billers and coders earn annual incomes of $51,020. There is a lot of room for advancement in this profession as it is one that is growing rapidly in North Carolina. Each year, there is approximately a 5% percent growth in the number of medical billers and coders in North Carolina, which already has a strong population of these professionals.

North Carolina cities with medical billing and coding education institutions: Wilmington, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Durham.

North Carolina cities/areas for medical billing and coding careers: Greensboro, High Point, Durham, Burlington, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, Asheville, Winston, Salem, and Greenville.

Just few employers of medical billers and coders in North Carolina:

Meeting Education Requirements

In North Carolina, a high school diploma or GED equivalency is typically required to being an education in medical billing and coding. Each post-secondary school makes its own admissions requirements while colleges require a high school diploma or GED and usually require transcripts from each new student.