Unfortunately for medical billers and coders living in Maryland, the state is home to their biggest threat – a computer and “Jeopardy” champion named Watson. Watson defeated the show’s previous champions, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in 2011. Watson had no knowledge of the questions he would be asked beforehand and answered them after being sent a text file containing the question in plain English – at the exact moment the other contestants were asked. Following this match, the University of Maryland announced that Watson would be continuing to med school.
One of the goals of the University of Maryland is to equip Watson with the knowledge and artificial experience to adequately diagnose and record medical conditions using standard medical codes. According to Dr. Eliot Siegel, a professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, “It would be like a spell check. [Watson] could synthesize and present medical records in a clear and precise way.” The good news is that current job outlooks for the medical billing and coding field in Maryland are not phased by the threat of Watson, as the Department of Labor anticipates an 18% growth by 2018.
General Maryland Medical Billing and Coding Information
- Number of Medical Billing and Coding Employees in Maryland: 3,130
- Average Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Maryland: $40,930
- 90th Percentile Salary: $62,810
- 10th Percentile Salary: $24,710
Medical Billing and Coding Training and Education in Maryland
Allegany College of Maryland
Medical Coding Certificate
The Medical Coding Certificate program at Allegany College is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in various healthcare facilities. Through various courses, students will learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, medical billing, paper-based and electronic health records, procedural and diagnostic coding, and many other vital subjects. While graduates are eligible to sit for certification from AHIMA or AAPC, it is suggested that graduates acquire at least one year of coding experience before applying for any exams. Tuition varies according to residency, ranging from $102 per credit hour for in-county residents and $228 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.
Baltimore City Community College
Coding Certificate Specialist
The certificate course at BCCC prepares students for employment in a healthcare setting analyzing charts and assigning codes using the ICD-9-CM, CPT-4, and DMM-IV sets. Upon completion, the graduate is eligible to take certification exams administered by AHIMA. The program is 38 credits long and takes three or four semesters to complete. Tuition is $88 per credit hour.
Cecil College
Medical Billing and Coding Course
The Medical Billing and Coding Course at Cecil college provides students with basic medical knowledge and medical coding procedures. Courses include Computer Skills for Allied Health, Medical Office Procedures, and Coding. The course is 576 credit hours in length, which includes 80 hours of clinical practice. Tuition ranges from $90 for county residents to $225 for out-of-state residents.
Montgomery College
Medical Coder/Abstractor/Biller Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students to begin careers in health record services located in healthcare facilities. Courses include Medical Terminology, ICD Coding, CPT Coding, and Electronic Patient Billing. The program consists of 34 credit hours and prepares students to pass the CCA exam. Tuition is $3,418 per year for full-time Montgomery County residents.
Maryland AAPC CPC Exam Information
- City: Elkton, MD
- Proctor Name: Bernadette Lee Myslinski
- Registration Deadline: 10/22/2011
- Exam Date: 11/19/2011
- City: Towson, MD
- Proctor Name: Denise Rondon, CPC, CPC-I
- Registration Deadline: 11/12/2011
- Exam Date: 12/10/2011
- City: Largo, MD
- Proctor Name: Sharon Thomas, CPC, CPC-H, CPMA
- Registration Deadline: 11/12/2011
- Exam Date: 12/10/2011
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 treats over 100,000 patients annually, containing 50 private rooms, eight new operating rooms, and a 1,600-space garage. In addition to their new 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 6 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
Founded in 1968, Good Samaritan of Maryland has long been a respected orthopedics and rehabilitation center. They have 317 licensed beds, 236 of which are for acute care, 51 for rehab, and 30 for transitional care. There are 2,344 total employees, including 366 affiliated physicians. Their 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 a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine and contains 238 beds and 1,800 employees. It is the 5th largest private employer in Howard county. Their services include women’s specialties, pediatric, surgical, orthopedic, diagnostic, outpatient, heart, pulmonary, emergency, psychiatric, neustros 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.
Top Cities in Maryland for Medical Billing and Coding Careers
1. Bethesda-Frederick-Gaithersburg
The tri-city area of Bethesda-Frederickand-Gaithersburg employs 530 medical billers and coders. They average $44,610 per year and earn $21.45 per hour. The high-end earners in the 90th percentile earn $62,350 annually. At the other end of the wage scale, the 10th percentile of workers earn $28,550 per year.
2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
The 1,630 medical billers and coders in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area average $42,090 annually and make $20.14 per hour on average. The 10th percentile of workers earn $26,250 per year while workers in the 90th percentile gross $63,360 annually.
3. Baltimore-Towson
The Baltimore and Towson area employs 1,940 billers and coders – the highest amount on this list. These workers average $19.95 per hour and $41,490 per year. At the 90th percentile, workers make $64,540 annually while the 10th percentile of workers earn $41,490.
4. Hagerstown-Martinsburg
Eighty medical billers and coders work in Hagerstown and Martinsburg, making an average of $18.01 per hour and $37,460 per year. Those in the 90th percentile pull in $57,640 dollars per year, while the 10 percentile workers make $22,030.
5. Wilmington
Earning $17.68 per hour, the 310 Wilmington medical billers and coders average $36,780 per year. The 10th and 90th percentile earners make $22,320 and $54,480, respectively.
6. Salisbury
The 100 medical billers and coders in Salisbury make and average of $14.22 per hour and $29,570 a year. The 10th percentile workers earn $20,300 annually and the 90th percentile earn $40,740.
7. Cumberland
At the bottom of the Maryland pay scale, the 60 Cumberland billers and coders average $13.09 per hour and $27,070 a year. The average annual salary is $18,010 for the 10th percentile and $37,600 for the 90th percentile.
About our expert. Jan Jacobs has worked in medical offices since the early 1980's. Ms. Jacobs has worked for M.D.'s and D.O.'s in primary care and specialty care. She is employed as a senior medical biller and has been at her current job for nearly 10 years, where she uses three different billing systems.
