Last Updated on December 23, 2022
Medical Billing and Coding Administrator Training: An Evolving and Expanding Field
What is Medical Billing and Coding?
Today, Medical Billing and Coding expertise is an essential component in our healthcare system. It is a system used by virtually every healthcare provider, facility, insurance company and more, as a standard way to note and record patient information, clarify procedures, and record diagnoses.
The use of a coding system in healthcare is not new. Medical coding goes back to the 1600s in London, when alphanumeric codes were used to notate illnesses and fatalities among the city’s population. Fast forward a few centuries and by the 1930’s, coding systems had been developed for tracking disease, medicine, and mortality rates and were implemented internationally. Students in the All-State Career Medical Billing and Coding program will learn how the
Bertillon Classification, which was created nearly 140 years ago, is still the basis for medical coding today.
The comprehensive medical billing and coding training offered by All-State Career in Baltimore, MD teaches students the technical, administrative, and interpersonal skills necessary to excel in this field and have a rewarding career. Some of the many skills that we teach include:
- Collecting patient information and completing procedural coding
- Reviewing insurance forms for completeness and accuracy and then submitting
- Protecting the security and confidentiality of medical records
- Processing patient admission or discharge documents
If you love details, working with established processes and are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, then a medical billing and coding career could be a perfect fit for you! Once you have learned and can successfully demonstrate the skills taught in the MBC program, you will receive a diploma and be ready to begin your new career.
Employment opportunities for trained Medical Billing and Coding administrators include medical offices, clinics and hospitals as well as insurance agencies and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment opportunities for trained medical billing and coding administrators to increase more than 10% over the next decade – that is faster than the average of all occupations.
Benefits of an All-State Career Medical Billing and Coding Education
Our comprehensive real-world training is taught by experienced and dedicated instructors who are committed to preparing students for the on-the-job challenges they will encounter once they graduate and begin their careers. Through small class sizes, hands-on work and passionate faculty our goal is to produce graduates who will become successful in their careers.
For more information about this All-State Career Medical Billing and Coding Administrator program, contact us through the form above or click on the online chat option below.
MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING JOBS IN MARYLAND
Three significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals in Maryland are:
ANNE ARUNDEL MEDICAL CENTER
- Address: 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401
- Email Address: Click here to access their contact form.
- Phone Number: 443-481-1000
- Website: www.aahs.org
Anne Arundel employs more than 1,000 medical staff, 3,900 employees, and has over 750 volunteers working at its facilities, which include a not-for-profit hospital and a substance use treatment center. In addition to their pediatric ER, Anne Arundel’s services include general surgery, a center for pelvic health, outpatient rehab, a blood donor center, cardiopulmonary rehab and much more. Employee benefits at Anne Arundel include six paid holidays per year, combined leave benefits, shift differential, 403b and 401a plans, tuition assistance, the option to join a credit union, and more.
GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL
- Address: 5601 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239
- Email Address: Click here to access their contact form.
- Phone Number: 443-444-8000
- Website: www.goodsam-md.org
Good Samaritan’s services include a cancer center, spinal care, arthritis treatment, a national burn reconstruction center, joint replacement, and much more. Benefits at Good Samaritan include medical, dental and vision coverage, pre-tax investment plans with employer match, clinical ladder advancements, an on-site child care center, and a fitness center.
HOWARD COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Address: 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044
- Email Address: Click here to access their contact form.
- Phone Number: 410-740-7890
- Website: www.hcgh.org
HCGH is the 5th largest private employer in Howard County. Their services include women’s specialties, pediatric, surgical, orthopedic, diagnostic, outpatient, heart, pulmonary, emergency, psychiatric, and cancer services. Benefits at HCGH include retirement plans, flex spending accounts, tuition assistance, paid holidays, scholarships, disability and life insurance, paid time off, dental care, college dependent tuition, and much more.
MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING SALARY IN MARYLAND
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate in Maryland has remained stable, decreasing slightly from 4.2% in March 2017 to 3.9% in August 2017. Employment in education and health services — including medical billing and coding — has seen a 3.4% growth from August 2016 to August 2017. Therefore, Maryland is maintaining a slow but steady employment growth for medical billers and coders.
The BLS shows that Maryland employs a little more than 4,000 medical billers and coders, and their average annual salary, at $48,730, is significantly more than the national median salary of $38,040.
In Maryland, the majority of employers require medical billers and coders obtain certification. Medical billers and coders can become certified by passing the AAPC medical coding certification exam. Medical billing and coding students will take several courses that will prepare them for this exam while completing a medical billing and coding program. Also, many on-campus, online, and hybrid medical billing and coding programs will include this exam as part of their curriculum, saving students from having to find a time and location to take the exam after graduating.
TOP CITIES IN MARYLAND FOR MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CAREERS
Below is a list of the top cities in Maryland for medical billing and coding professionals. It includes data provided by the BLS.
- Silver Spring-Frederick-RockvilleThe tri-city area of Silver Spring, Frederick, and Rockville employs 630 medical billers and coders. They average $54,950 per year and earn $26.42 per hour.
- Baltimore-Columbia-TowsonThe Baltimore and Towson area employs 2,760 billers and coders – the highest amount on this list. These workers average $23.60 per hour and $49,090 per year.
- Hagerstown-MartinsburgAround 220 medical billers and coders work in Hagerstown and Martinsburg, making an average of $20.45 per hour and $42,540 per year.
- SalisburyThe 150 medical billers and coders in Salisbury make an average of $18.61 per hour and $38,700 a year.
- California-Lexington ParkThe 50 billers and coders in this area average $23.47 per hour and $48,820 a year.
Medical Coding and Billing Schools in Maryland
| City | State | Curriculum | |
| 3 Day Boot Camp via Zoom | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| 3 Day CPC Boot Camp | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Baltimore | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Bowie | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| CPC 12 Week Via Zoom | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| CPC Prep – Live Instructor | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Cumberland | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Easton | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Frederick | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Glen Burnie | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Laurel | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Onsite | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Pikesville | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
| Sparks | Maryland | CPC® | Details |
Search another location near you: CPC COC CIC CRC CPPM CPCO CPB CPMA Select Location AE – 1 locations Alabama – 12 locations Alaska – 7 locations AP – 2 locations Arizona – 12 locations Arkansas – 10 locations California – 19 locations Colorado – 12 locations Connecticut – 8 locations Delaware – 9 locations District of Columbia – 6 locations Florida – 42 locations Georgia – 23 locations Guam – 1 locations Hawaii – 7 locations Idaho – 10 locations Illinois – 14 locations Indiana – 10 locations Iowa – 9 locations Kansas – 10 locations Kentucky – 12 locations Louisiana – 11 locations Maine – 6 locations Maryland – 16 locations Massachusetts – 9 locations Michigan – 11 locations Minnesota – 7 locations Mississippi – 7 locations Missouri – 10 locations Montana – 7 locations Nebraska – 7 locations Nevada – 7 locations New Hampshire – 7 locations New Jersey – 16 locations New Mexico – 7 locations New York – 22 locations North Carolina – 11 locations North Dakota – 6 locations Ohio – 7 locations Oklahoma – 6 locations Oregon – 7 locations Pennsylvania – 10 locations Puerto Rico – 4 locations Rhode Island – 8 locations South Carolina – 9 locations South Dakota – 8 locations Tennessee – 13 locations Texas – 17 locations Utah – 10 locations Vermont – 6 locations Virgin Islands – 1 locations Virginia – 14 locations Washington – 8 locations West Virginia – 8 locations Wisconsin – 7 locations Wyoming – 5 locations Bahamas – 1 locations India – 6 locations Pakistan – 1 locations Search
Medical Coding and Billing Salary in Maryland
On average, medical coders in Maryland earn $58,590, substantially more than the region’s average of $52,750.
Thanks to a strong market for medical coders, Maryland provides excellent earning potential. Major cities for medical coders include Baltimore, Annapolis, Salisbury, and Bethesda.
Maryland coders earning the highest income possess one or more of these AAPC certifications: CIC, COC, CPC, CPC-I, CPCO, CPMA, and CRC.
The most common employers in Maryland are health systems, hospitals (inpatient and outpatient settings), and large group practices (50+ physicians). Only about 30% of the medical coders in the state work remotely. Remote coders earn approximately $62,308, just above Maryland’s average medical coding salary.
Learn more about AAPC, the nation’s largest professional organization for medical coders, billers, and others involved in the business of healthcare. AAPC offers a wide variety of certifications, code books, exam study materials, local chapters, distance learning classes, and other resources.
AAPC annually reviews salaries of healthcare business professionals based on location, education, experience, credential, and many other data points. These statistics are all based on the most recent survey, which resulted in nearly 20,000 responses. For additional information, view the overall survey analysis or the Salary Survey Calculator.
Salary by Certification
| Certification Type | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| CPC | $62,320.68 |
| COC | $69,117.65 |
| CIC | $57,500.00 |
| CRC | $64,583.33 |
| CPB | $63,863.64 |
| CPMA | $67,897.73 |
| CDEO | $60,277.78 |
| CPCO | $94,166.67 |
| CPPM | $65,961.54 |
| CPC-I | $88,166.67 |
Medical Billing and Coding in Maryland
Medical coding expertise can lead to many career opportunities. Maryland billing and coding specialists may find themselves working for premier institutions such as John Hopkins University, the University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinai Hospital of Boston, or MedStar. Some medical coders are employed by facilities located in other states. It is not uncommon for a successful medical coder to work remotely. However, employers do generally want to see some experience on-site.
Select a Maryland Medical Billing and Coding Topic:
- Medical Billing and Coding Credentialing Overview
- AHIMA Coding Certifications
- AAPC Billing and Coding Certifications
- Additional Employer Expectations
- Contacts for State and Local Agencies, Education Options & Other Helpful Resources
Medical Billing and Coding Credentialing Overview
Medical billers and coders often seek third party certification through the AAPC or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as validation of their skill. Advance planning is advisable. There are significant differences between hospital inpatient medical coding and physician’s office medical coding; there are also some differences in employer’s ideal, or preferred, certification. Outpatient hospital coding is, to a lesser degree, its own discipline.
The AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) has traditionally been considered the premier credential for doctor’s office settings, AHIMA’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) the premier credential for hospital coding. Each organization now offers multiple credentials for different settings or specialties; the difficulty level will not necessarily be the same. There are many considerations when choosing a certifying agency. Often one is also choosing a professional organization. The AAPC requires membership as a prerequisite for credentialing. AHIMA does not mandate membership, but does reduce examination fees. Both organizations offer many resources, including continuing education and networking opportunities.
Some certificate programs are aligned to the requirements of a particular certification. In some cases, this will be an entry-level credential like the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate (CCA); the CCA is a generalist credential.
Education and credentialing both contribute to higher salaries. The AAPC reported that its South Central Region membership averaged $49,116 in 2015.
AHIMA Coding Certifications
A person who seeks AHIMA’s CCA credential should have some coding coursework if he or she does not have experience in the field. However, this is a recommendation, not a mandate. A CCA candidate will take a two-hour multiple choice examination.
A person can test for CCS on the strength of an academic program that includes the following: anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, pharmacology, and intermediate/ advanced CPT and ICD-10 coding. At the CCS level, prerequisites are mandatory. However, there are multiple ways of meeting them. A person may qualify on the basis of two years of experience or health information management certification. A person who first earns the CCA (or a qualifying credential through another organization) needs just a year of experience. The CCS examination is four hours. It includes 97 multiple choice questions and eight medical scenarios.
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) are accepted as coding credentials in some settings. Certification as an RHIT or RHIA requires completion of a degree program in health information management. A person can test for RHIT on the strength of an accredited associate’s level program or a foreign program.
AAPC Billing and Coding Certifications
A person who seeks the AAPC’s CPC, Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P), or Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) will need a year of experience (two years if he or she has not completed at least a short program in medical coding). The person may test in advance but will receive a lower designation: Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A), Certified Professional Coder-Payer-Apprentice (CPC-A-P), or Certified Outpatient Coder-Apprentice (COC-A). Once the professional has documented all requirements, the ‘A’ designation will be removed. CPC, CPC-P, and COC examinations are five hours and forty minutes; they are multiple choice. Candidates can find sample questions as well as registration materials on the AAPC website (https://www.aapc.com/certification/cpc).
The Certified Professional Biller certification does not include an apprentice designation. However, it is not as widely sought as a stand-alone credential. Candidates should be aware that the CPC is frequently referenced even among positions designated as billing specialist. A CPC can be a desirable credential for positions such as billing manager or revenue cycle liaison.
The Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) has no apprentice designation either. However, CIC is a difficult examination that includes some open-ended questions. Inpatient coding is known to be demanding.
Additional Employer Expectations
Employers often like to see real-world experience. In some cases, experience and education can be substituted for each other; policy may vary a good deal by employer.
Coding specialists can expect to continue to prove themselves after hiring. The employer may specify a minimum accuracy rate. Above the entry-level, the requirement can be quite high: 95%.
Individuals who hold apprentice certification through the AAPC can get credit for a year of experience if they complete the online practicum program, Practicode. The experience can help one remove their ‘A’. It is at the discretion of the individual employer, though, whether it will meet experience standards. Practicode involves working through hundreds of medical records. As such, it is a far more comprehensive coding experience than a certification examination.
An individual who has already earned a degree in a related field (for example, nursing) will be at an advantage in some instances. A nurse may achieve a position like document improvement specialist if he or she has coding experience and certification. Degrees in health information management are of course highly valued.
BECOMING A MEDICAL BILLER OR CODER IN MARYLAND
All medical billers and coders in Maryland do not have to become certified to be employed but employers may demand it. That being said it is a good idea to be certified as soon as you can. The field itself is regulated at a national level and the certifying bodies are broken down in more detail here for you. We are not going to leave any detail out and only ant you to have all the information you need to succeed.
FIND MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND
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WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BECOMING A CERTIFIED CODING AND BILLING SPECIALIST IN MARYLAND?
The exact process to become a medical biller or coder in Maryland is detailed below in the following four steps.
STEP 1 – DETERMINE IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET CERTIFIED IN MARYLAND IN MEDICAL CODING AND BILLING
It is not mandated by the state of Maryland to be certified as a medical coder to get a job in the field of insurance reimbursement and billing. But, it will give you the best chance to get a job and make the best salary. Certification in medical insurance billing and coding in the state of Maryland cannot be undersold in anyway. It will only benefit your career for the positive and will help in the short term and long term for you too.
STEP 2 – COMPLETE A MARYLAND MEDICAL CODING AND BILLING SPECIALIST TRAINING PROGRAM
Deciding on whether to get a bachelors degree, an associates degree or a certificate in medical coding in Maryland is the next choice that has to be made. Each has advantages and drawbacks to them.Mae sure you understand the timelines for your education levels. Certificates will take 6 months to a year to complete, associates degrees take 2 years in most cases and a bachelors degree usually takes a minimum of 4 years in the state of Maryland.
HOW TO PICK A MARYLAND BILLING AND CODING PROGRAM
Picking a good medical insurance coding and billing program can be easy if you just follow this one rule. Sort schools in Maryland by the factor that matters the most to you and you will see the selection almost makes itself.
APPROVED CODING AND BILLING SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND
All-State Career-Baltimore 2200 Broening Hwy Ste 160, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
Baltimore City Community College 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215
Fortis College-Landover 4351 Garden City Drive, Landover, Maryland 20785
Fortis Institute-Baltimore 6901 Security Blvd Ste 21, Baltimore, Maryland 21244
Hagerstown Community College 11400 Robinwood Dr, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742-6514
Purdue University Global-Hagerstown 18618 Crestwood Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742
STEP 3 – MAKE SURE TO GET AN INTERNSHIP OR WORK EXPERIENCE IN MARYLAND FOR CODING AND BILLING
A requirement for many of the coding and billing certification exams offered in the state of Maryland is that the applicant needs to have already had job experience or finished a professional internship. Make sure to include this in your school selection process and bring it up at enrollment. It will really help you. The internship programs in Maryland are great ways to get access to career preparation that typical school programs in medical coding cannot give you.
STEP 4 – SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE MEDICAL CODING CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT FOR MARYLAND
Medical billing and coding specialists in Maryland are required to pass a national certification test to earn their certification in the state.
Click here for more details about the certification exams. At the link shown you will see what exam prep should be like, what the day of the exam will be like, what will actually be on the exam itself and more.
MEDICAL BILLER AND CODER SALARY AND JOBS IN MARYLAND
In Maryland the growing demand is extremely high for medical billing and coding specialists. Through the year 2024, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% growth in new jobs for medical billing and coding specialists in the state of Maryland. The common Maryland workplaces are going to be at hospitals, physicians offices and general care facilities. Income data for Maryland coders and billers by region and county is on the table below that uses only the latest data from bls.gov.Show 102550100 entriesSearch:
| Location | Pay Type | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $12.05 | $18.29 | $30.21 |
| Yearly | $25,070 | $38,040 | $62,840 | |
| Maryland | Hourly | $13.61 | $22.53 | $35.75 |
| Yearly | $28,320 | $46,850 | $74,360 | |
| Baltimore-Towson, MD MSA | Hourly | $13.58 | $22.75 | $36.09 |
| Yearly | $28,240 | $47,310 | $75,070 | |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | Hourly | $12.74 | $20.32 | $34.86 |
| Yearly | $26,490 | $42,260 | $72,510 | |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV MSA | Hourly | $13.82 | $19.78 | $29.11 |
| Yearly | $28,740 | $41,140 | $60,550 |
