Medical Coding and Billing in Nevada
Medical coding and billing procedures are some of the most important parts of the health care industry, both in Nevada and in the country as a whole. Proper billing is not just crucial to a patient, but also to medical institutions, government health care programs, and insurance companies.
The importance of this is clear when you look at recent changes made in Nevada. The state government recently decided to prevent certain health care brokers from collecting commissions when setting patients up with insurance (Las Vegas Review Journal, 2015). This is to ensure that patients get the best plan for their needs, not simply the most expensive one.
As health insurance companies become more established in Nevada, you can expect an increase in verification of billing and coding procedures. Companies and institutions do this regularly to ensure that their money is being well spent.
Are you interested in a health care career that focuses on the administrative side of this industry? If so, keep reading to learn more about medical coding and billing schools in Nevada.
What to Expect in Nevada Medical Coding and Billing Training
The amount of time that you spend in school to become a medical coding and billing specialist depends on which type of program you decide to complete and if you are a full-time student. Earning a diploma or certificate may only take one or two semesters, while you’ll need to spend at least four semesters in school to earn an Associate’s degree in this field.
Course names and credit requirements are different from school to school, but you can expect to cover the same general topics no matter which program you attend. Some of the classes that you may take include Medical Terminology, Introduction to Health Information Systems, Introduction to CPT, Introduction to ICD-10 Coding Health Care Systems and Procedures, and Basic Pathology. Once you’ve completed your required courses, you should understand how billing works in health care, what your role is in this process, how to bill for diagnoses and procedures, and how to use health information systems to protect patient confidentiality.
You may put your newfound knowledge to the test in clinical rotations or in an internship. No matter what, hands-on experience is an important part of your career.
Each year that you are in school, you should spend some time looking into scholarships and grants available to health care students. Your school, state government agencies, and federal government programs are good places to start. In Nevada, the Nevada Public Health Association awards scholarships of $500 each.
Working as a Medical Billing and Coding Professional in Nevada
Although you may be able to complete your training in a matter of months, you may find that working in medical coding and billing gives you the chance to earn a competitive salary. According to O*Net, the average salary for a medical records technician in Nevada is $36,900 per year (O*Net, 2015).
Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net anticipates a 19% increase in medical coding and billing jobs throughout the state (O*Net, 2015).
Certification may be something that you decide to pursue in your career. Even if you wait until you have some experience under your belt, you may discover that certification is a huge draw for employers. Since this is not mandated on a state level, you cannot apply for optional certification through AAPC.
Are you ready to use your career to help Nevada residents save money? Take the first step now and contact medical coding and billing programs in Nevada.