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You might be interested in working in medical billing or coding in Pennsylvania.
If so, have a look at the info below in order to learn more about the offered salary and certification options.
But first, you will also need to know what this branch of the industry entails.
Article Table of Contents
What is Medical Coding?
The data gathered by medical workers and used within the field is then turned into code.
The resulting codes are used to name illnesses, services, and medical products.
You should know how to organize these codes and what each of them means.
In this state, the code categories you will need to know are:
- CPT,
- ICD-10-CMN,
- HCPCS Level II.
What is Medical Billing?
Medical billing represents the invoice that healthcare workers receive in order to get paid.
To work in billing, you will need to know how to make an invoice.
You will also need to know how to send it to the client and the insurance companies.
As a medical biller, you will have to be knowledgeable about the reimbursement process as well.
Getting the Appropriate Education and Certification
The first step in starting your career is getting a certification.
Getting certified is not a law, but it will greatly improve your chances of getting a job.
The medical billing and coding certifications are offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders.
This association is the largest medical entity in the country.
In this branch, you can get the following certifications:
- CPC,
- CPC-H,
- CPC-P,
- CIRCC,
- Specialty.
You will receive your work permit after you pass an exam that will test your knowledge in the industry.
To be eligible for the exam, you have to attend a training program in a school.
You will also have to become a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders.
In Pennsylvania, the schools you can enroll in are below.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ALL-STATE CAREER SCHOOL-ALLIED HEALTH CAMPUS | 50 W Powhattan Ave Essington, PA |
| BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 275 Swamp Rd Newtown, PA |
| BUTLER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 107 College Drive Butler, PA |
| CAREER TRAINING ACADEMY-PITTSBURGH | 8000 McKnight Rd. #1501 Pittsburgh, PA |
| COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY | 800 Allegheny Ave Pittsburgh, PA |
| COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA | 1700 Spring Garden St Philadelphia, PA |
| DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 901 S Media Line Rd Media, PA |
| DREXEL UNIVERSITY | 3141 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA |
| EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE | 219 Donohoe Rd Greensburg, PA |
| ERIE BUSINESS CENTER-ERIE | 246 W Ninth St Erie, PA |
| FORTIS INSTITUTE-ERIE | 5757 W 26th St Erie, PA |
| GREAT LAKES INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 5100 Peach Street Erie, PA |
| INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL CAREERS | 133 Jefferson Road Suite 101 Pittsburgh, PA |
| KAPLAN CAREER INSTITUTE | 177 Franklin Mills Blvd. Philadelphia, PA |
| KAPLAN CAREER INSTITUTE | 5650 Derry St Harrisburg, PA |
| KAPLAN CAREER INSTITUTE | 933 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA |
| KEYSTONE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 2301 Academy Dr Harrisburg, PA |
| LAUREL BUSINESS INSTITUTE | 11 East Penn St Uniontown, PA 15401 |
| LAUREL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 11618 Cotton Rd. Meadville, PA 16335 |
| LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 4525 Education Park Dr Schnecksville, PA |
| LUZERNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 1333 South Prospect Street Nanticoke, PA |
| MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY | 16 W Division St North East, PA |
| METROPOLITAN CAREER CENTER COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE | 100 South Broad Street, Suite 830 Philadelphia, PA |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 340 Dekalb Pike Blue Bell, PA |
| NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 3835 Green Pond Rd Bethlehem, PA |
| NORTHWEST REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE | 3104 State St Erie, PA |
| PENN COMMERCIAL BUSINESS/TECHNICAL SCHOOL | 242 Oak Spring Road Washington, PA |
| PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | One College Ave Williamsport, PA |
| PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 101 Community College Way Johnstown, PA |
| PITTSBURGH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 1111 McKee Road Oakdale, PA |
| WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 145 Pavilion Lane Youngwood, PA |
You can usually get certified after a program of only 8 months, but you can also get an associate’s degree.
If you are working already and can’t attend a program in person, you can attend one online.
You may even be able to enroll in a school that has a job placement option available.
Keep in mind that medical billing and coding are administrative carers, meaning you can work from home.
Salary Expectations in Pennsylvania
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has a relatively good prognosis on medical billing and coding.
There was a decrease in unemployment in this state over the past years.
This means you will not have problems in getting your first job.
One thing to keep in mind includes the salary you will receive.
For instance, there are some cities in which salaries are higher.
These include Philadelphia, Upper Darby, Abington, and Bensalem.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $41,224 |
| Pittsburgh | $37,801 |
| Allentown | $38,261 |
| Erie | $35,448 |
| Reading | $38,065 |
| Upper Darby | $41,224 |
| Scranton | $35,421 |
| Bensalem | $43,340 |
| Lancaster | $37,597 |
| Abington | $41,193 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 430 | $48,860 | $23.49 | $67,630 | $36,530 |
| Altoona, PA | 90 | $41,640 | $20.02 | $57,630 | $28,760 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 150 | $44,920 | $21.6 | $57,460 | $35,160 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 60 | $49,190 | $23.65 | $64,440 | $31,940 |
| Erie, PA | 140 | $45,410 | $21.83 | $58,780 | $31,130 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 40 | $44,500 | $21.39 | $57,190 | $33,820 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 530 | $48,220 | $23.18 | $67,710 | $36,340 |
| Johnstown, PA | 70 | $45,420 | $21.84 | $63,900 | $31,200 |
| Lancaster, PA | 260 | $45,510 | $21.88 | $58,500 | $35,030 |
| Lebanon, PA | 80 | $48,780 | $23.45 | $68,160 | $36,310 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,000 | $53,790 | $25.86 | $77,740 | $37,490 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 2,460 | $46,350 | $22.28 | $60,170 | $35,500 |
| Reading, PA | 290 | $49,320 | $23.71 | $69,290 | $36,260 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 240 | $42,850 | $20.6 | $56,920 | $31,220 |
| State College, PA | 40 | $43,310 | $20.82 | $56,300 | $34,650 |
| Williamsport, PA | 80 | $44,820 | $21.55 | $59,810 | $34,170 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 270 | $44,680 | $21.48 | $58,400 | $34,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Typically, you will earn more money in larger cities than you would in a smaller town.
Your experience will also matter when it comes to getting paid.
If you are an experienced biller or coder, you will make more than someone who is just starting.
You can also get more than one certification at once, as this will improve your chances of higher pay.
Other Info
After you finished your training course and have your certification, you may want to know where you can work.
The biggest employers in Pennsylvania include:
- Albert Einstein Medical Center
- Allied Rehab Hospital
- Hanover Hospital
These facilities provide benefits such as diverse retirement plans, life, vision, and dental insurance, and paid leave.
Just like with any other profession, you can build a successful career in medical billing and coding.
All you have to do is complete a training program and get your certification.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder
Medical Billing and Coding Classes by City
Medical Billing and Coding Classes by State