One of the strongest arguments against electronic medical records came to light in Pennsylvania during 2010, when medical billers and coders working with two large insurance companies, Keystone Mercy Health Plan and AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan made a startling discovery. Due to a data transfer error, 280,000 medical records of patients receiving Medicaid benefits from the state had gone missing.
Medical billing and coding guidelines in Pennsylvania (dictated largely by HIPAA) were allegedly violated during this incident, as the medical records (which were on a flash drive) were apparently transferred unencrypted. This incident could continue to act as a powerful barrier to the state’s push for electronic medical records. It could also delay the medical billing and coding job growth that could occur in Pennsylvania due to electronic medical record implementation. After an investigation into the loss of these medical records, it was determined that the medical records contained on the flash drive were of members of the two insurance companies, and that the information was lost during a health fair within the state.
General Pennsylvania Medical Billing and Coding Information
- Number of Medical Billing and Coding Employees in Pennsylvania: 7,470
- Average Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Pennsylvania: $33,310
- 90th Percentile Salary: $21,090
- 10th Percentile Salary: $50,410
Medical Billing and Coding Training and Education in Pennsylvania
Buck County Community College
Medical Coding/Billing Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as ambulatory care coders, billers, patient accounts representatives, and other support positions in various healthcare facilities. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist – Physician’s Office National Certification Exam administered by AHIMA and the Certified Professional Coder National Certification Exam administered by the AAPC. The program is 30 credit hours in length and includes Introduction to Health Information Management, Medical Insurance, Billing, & Reimbursement, and Medical Coding/Billing Externship. Tuition for residents is $105 per semester credit hour.
Butler County Community College
Medical Coding Specialist Certificate
The Medical Coding Specialist program is intended to give students the necessary skills to transform verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures into numerical designations for reimbursement of healthcare insurance claims. After completing this program, graduates will be prepared to seek employment and take the AAPC exam for the CPC credential. The program consists of 35 credits divided into three semesters. Courses include Introduction to Microcomputing, Coding, and Insurance & Reimbursement Methods. Tuition and fees for county residents is $104 per credit.
Delaware County Community College
Medical Coding and Billing Certificate
The Medical Coding and Billing Certificate program is designed to provide students with the skills needed to become Physician-Based Coders, Hospital Coders, or Medical Claims Reviewers. The curriculum covers medical terminology, pathophysiology, administrative medical office management, electronic health records, and CPT and ICD coding. Those who successfully complete this course are eligible to take the Certified Coding Associate certification exam offered by AHIMA. In addition, after work experience, certified students may consider sitting for the Certified Coding Specialist or Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based exams also offered by AHIMA. The program comprises 49 credits divided into six semesters. Tuition for residents is $97 per credit hour.
Medical Coding and Billing for Healthcare Professionals Certificate
This certificate of competency program is designed to meet the needs of licensed or certified healthcare professionals that wish to become professional medical coders and billers. Those who complete this program are eligible to sit for the Certified Professional Coder or Certified Professional Coder – Hospital exams offered by AHIMA. The program consists of 18 credits and the courses include ICD-9-CM Coding, CPT-4 Coding, and Medical Billing. Residents pay $97 for tuition per credit hour.
Pennsylvania AAPC CPC Exam Information
- City: Williamsport, PA
- Proctor Name: DiAnn M Silverstrim
- Registration Deadline: 11/12/2011
- Exam Date: 12/10/2011
- City: Sayre, PA
- Proctor Name: Tracey Middaugh, CPC
- Registration Deadline: 11/12/2011
- Exam Date: 12/10/2011
- City: Hershey, PA
- Proctor Name: Jennifer Spangler, CPC, CFPC
- Registration Deadline: 11/12/2011
- Exam Date: 12/10/2011
Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Pennsylvania
Three significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals in Pennsylvania are:
Albert Einstein Medical Center
- Address: 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141
- Phone Number: 215-456-7890
- Website: www.einstein.edu
AEMC has over 1,200 physicians and more than 600 primary care doctors and specialists. They offer behavioral health services, geriatric care, heart care, kidney and liver treatment and transplants, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and women’s and children’s services. Employee benefits include 5 health insurance plans to choose from, prescription coverage, dental, vision and life insurance, long- and short-term disability, healthcare and dependent care reimbursement accounts, and paid time off.
Allied Rehab Hospital
Founded in the early 1960s, Allied has over 2,500 employees servicing a population of 5,000. Among their specialties are oncology, spinal cord injury, stroke, neurology, amputations, and cancer treatment. Benefits at Allied include paid time off, retirement options, health, dental, vision and life insurance, dependent care spending, and other perks.
Hanover Hospital
- Address: 300 Highland Avenue, Hanover, Pennsylvania 17331
- Phone Number: 717-637-3711
- Website: www.hanoverhospital.org
Founded in 1926, Hanover Hospital is part of Hanover HealthCare Plus, a large network that employs hundreds of medical professionals in several locations. Services at HH include cancer care, acute rehab, family health, emergency services, heart and vascular, imaging, occupational health, a sleep lab, surgical services, women’s health, and more. The perks of working for Hanover Hospital include paid holidays, generous retirement options with employer match, medical, vision, dental and life insurance, paid time off, and other benefits.
Top Cities in Pennsylvania for Medical Billing and Coding Careers
1. Philadelphia, PA
One-quarter of medical billers and coders in Pennsylvania work in Philadelphia. The 1,940 workers make an average of $18.30 hourly and $38,060, highest in the state and two dollars hourly and $4,750 annually more than the state averages. The highest ten percent of workers earn $56,940 annually and the lowest ten percent make $23,150 annually, both highest in the state.
2. Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
In the Harrisburg-Carlisle metropolitan area there are about 610 medical billers and coders. The average worker makes $16.33 hourly and $33,960 annually, both second-highest in the state and above state and national averages. The tenth percentile wage is $20,430 annually, lower than state and national averages, and the ninetieth percentile wage is $53,870 annually, second-highest in the state.
3. Pittsburgh, PA
The second-highest number of medical billers and coders in the state can be found working in Pittsburgh. 1,680 employees account for about 22 percent of the state total. In this city, workers make an average of $15.82 hourly and $32,910 annually, both below the national and state averages. The lowest tenth of wages is $21,570 annually and the highest tenth is $48,160 annually.
4. Altoona, PA
In Altoona, there are about 90 medical billers and coders who make an average of $15.70 hourly and $32,660 annually. The top and bottom wage brackets are below the state and national averages at $48,680 annually and $20,140 annually, respectively.
5. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area employs approximately 650 medical billers and coders. The average worker in this area makes $15.52 per hour and $32,380 per year. The tenth percentile wage is $20,200 annually and the ninetieth percentile wage is $50,550 annually, third-highest in the state.
6. York-Hanover, PA
There are around 190 medical billers and coders in the York-Hanover metropolitan area. The average hourly wage is $15.07 and the average annual wage is $31,350. The annual tenth percentile wage is $20,410 and the annual ninetieth percentile wage is $49,820.
7. Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA
In the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, there are about 430 medical billers and coders who make an average hourly wage of $14.93 and an average annual wage of $31,050. Those in the top ten percent make $47,990 per year while those in the bottom ten percent make $20,140 per year.
8. Lancaster, PA
The 280 medical billers and coders in Lancaster make an average of $14.69 hourly and $30,560 annually. The top ten percent of workers make $43,580 annually while the bottom ten percent of workers make $21,440 annually, just above national and state averages.
9. Reading, PA
There are approximately 110 medical billers and coders in Reading. The average worker makes $14.49 hourly and $30,130 annually. The lowest ten percent make $20,740 annually while the highest ten percent make $45,080 annually.
10. Lebanon, PA
In Lebanon, there are about 70 medical billers and coders who make an average of $14.29 per hour and $29,730 per year. The annual tenth percentile wage is $19,180 and the annual ninetieth percentile wage is $49,130.
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.
