In preparation for the electronic medical records switch that must occur in all states by 2015, Texas medical billers and coders have some additional options that are not available in other states. For example, medical billers and coders in Texas can take advantage of specially designed Electronic Medical Records (EMR) courses to prepare them to handle medical records in a digital format. Dallas based information technology companies like Cybernut Solutions regularly hire and prepare instructors to teach medical billing and coding skills to Texas residents and are now interested in preparing these same students to compete in an increasingly high-tech field.
Texas is the only state that includes a guideline in their HIPAA medical records laws that requires medical institutions to prepare and deliver a copy of a patient’s medical record as soon as possible, but no later than 15 business days after the patient’s request. This strict rule is one of the reasons that medical billing and coding in Texas is becoming increasingly computer based.
General Texas Medical Billing and Coding Information
- Number of Medical Billing and Coding Employees in Texas: 14,710
- Average Medical Billing and Coding Salary in Texas: $34,420
- 90th Percentile Salary: $56,280
- 10th Percentile Salary: $19,730
Medical Billing and Coding Training and Education in Texas
Houston Community College
Health Information Coding Certificate
Within the Health Information Technology programs, the Health Information Coding Certificate is a one-year program accredited by the CAHIIM. Upon completion of the certificate, students may sit for either the Certified Coding Associate exam sponsored by AHIMA or the Certified Professional Coders exam sponsored by the AAPC. The program consists of 45 credits and includes classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Health Professions, Heath Care Delivery Systems, and Coding and Classification Systems. In-district students pay $67.20 per hour for tuition and fees.
Lamar Institute of Technology
Health Information Technology Associate Degree
The Health Information Technology program prepares students for employment in the healthcare industry as entry-level health information technicians. Health information technicians take patient health information and health records and translate them into codes for electronic record keeping. In this two-year program, students complete non-paid professional practice both online and at selected healthcare facilities. The program is accredited by the CAHIIM and is available online. Tuition is $90 per semester credit hour for state residents.
Lee College
Certificate of Completion in Coding
This program covers coding conventions and principles that allow the students to sequence codes according to established guidelines, standards and reimbursement methodologies. The program comprises 33 credit hours, which are divided into three semesters. A district resident pays $252 per credit hour for tuition.
Paris Junior College
Certificate in Medical Records Coding
The Medical Records Coding Program will prepare students to function effectively in the information management sector of the healthcare industry under the supervision of a medical records supervisor. This program is approved by AHIMA. The program consists of 35 credit hours to be completed in one year. Courses include Health Data Content and Structure, Coding and Classification Systems, and Coding Reimbursement Methodologies. Tuition is $125 per semester hour for in-district students.
Texas AAPC CPC Exam Information
- City: Abilene, TX
- Proctor Name: Erica Filorio
- Registration Deadline: 11/1/2011
- Exam Date: 12/17/2011
- City: Plano, TX
- Proctor Name: Alesha Ann Lofton, CPC-A
- Registration Deadline: 11/19/2011
- Exam Date: 12/17/2011
- City: Abilene, TX
- Proctor Name: Erica Filorio, CPC
- Registration Deadline: 12/3/2011
- Exam Date: 12/31/2011
Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Texas
Three significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals in Texas are:
Abilene Regional Medical Center
ARMC employs 750 employees, including 179 physicians, in a 231-licensed bed facility. Their services include CT scans, the area’s only chest pain center, an ER, mammography, pelvic floor therapy, rehab services, a sleep disorder center, and others. Employee benefits at ARMC include major medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off, education assistance, paid holidays, and other benefits.
Austin Surgical Hospital
- Address: 3003 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78746
- Email Address: jobs@austinsurgicalhospital.com
- Phone Number: 512-314-3800
- Website: www.austinsurgicalhospital.com
ASH employs 55 physicians in a 23-bed facility, which received accreditation by JCAHO in October of 2009. Their surgical services include plastic surgery, podiatric, reconstructive, spine, and orthopedic. They also specialize in 24/7 urgent care, gynecology, endocrinology, pain management, and more. The benefits at ASH include paid time off, paid holidays, paid vacations, flex spending accounts, dental, vision, health, life, and disability coverage, and a retirement package.
Big Bend Regional Medical Center
Big Bend Regional employs 135 people, including 15 physicians, in a 25-bed facility. Their services include audiology, cardiology, an ER, home health, imaging, orthopedics, physical therapy, and others. Benefits at BBRMC include short- and long-term disability, medical, dental, vision, health and life insurance, tuition assistance, paid time off, and more.
Top Cities in Texas for Medical Billing and Coding Careers
1. San Antonio, TX
There are about 1,840 medical billers and coders in San Antonio; 12 percent of the state total make this the third most popular area in Texas. The hourly mean wage is the highest by far, $19.42. The annual mean wage is also the highest in the state, almost $5,000 more than the national average. The lowest ten percent of workers make $21,250 per year while the highest ten percent make $67,780 per year, highest in the state by about $9,000.
2. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area has the highest number of medical billers and coders. There are about 3,750, or one-quarter of the state total. The average hourly wage here is $17.11 and the average annual wage is $35,590. The annual tenth percentile wage is highest in the state, $21630, and the annual ninetieth percentile wage is $55,970.
3. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
Approximately 3,270 medical coders and billers work in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area, 22 percent of the state total. The average worker makes $17.89 per hour and $37,220 per year, both second-highest in the state. Those in the lowest earning bracket make $21,460 annually while those in the highest make $58,550, both second-highest in the state.
4. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX
In the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area there are about 270 medical coders and billers, and the average wages among them are $17.63 hourly and $36,670 annually. The top and bottom ten percent of workers make $51,550 and $19,050 annually, both below the national and state averages.
5. El Paso, TX
There are around 410 medical coders and billers in El Paso, who make an hourly mean wage of $17.56 and an annual mean wage of $36,520. The tenth percentile wage is $20,350 annually and the ninetieth percentile wage is $55,230 annually, both between state and national averages.
6. Waco, TX
Approximately 110 medical billers and coders work in Waco, making an average of $17.42 per hour and $36,220 per year. The highest ten percent of employees earn $57,290 annually and the lowest ten percent earn $21,250 annually.
7. San Angelo, TX
San Angelo employs about 140 medical billers and coders. The average worker makes $16.87 hourly and $35,080 annually. Those in the top wage bracket make $55,830 annually while those in the bottom make $18,950 annually, below state and national averages.
8. Lubbock, TX
In Lubbock, there are around 120 medical billers and coders who make an average hourly wage of $16.19 and an average annual wage of $33,680, both below the state and national averages.The annual tenth percentile wage is $18,470 and the annual ninetieth percentile wage is $51,190, both also below state and national averages.
9. Amarillo, TX
There are approximately 120 medical billers and coders in Amarillo, and the average hourly wage there is $16.28. The average annual wage is $33,870. Both are below state and national averages. The lowest ten percent of workers make $18,170 per year and the highest ten percent make $55,910 per year.
10. Austin-Round Rock, TX
The Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area has about 940 medical billers and coders, about six percent of the state total. The hourly wage is $15.34 on average and the annual wage is $31,910 on average, both lower than the state and national averages. The tenth percentile wage is $20,570 annually and the ninetieth percentile wage is $46,040 annually.
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.
