Medical Billing and Coding Schools in New Mexico

Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in New Mexico

Three significant employers of medical billing and coding professionals in New Mexico are:

Alta Vista Regional Hospital

Alta Vista Regional has 54 licensed beds in a facility that houses 25 active physicians and 24 courtesy physicians. The hospital’s specialties include family practice, general surgery, urology, radiology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, and neurology. Employee benefits at Alta Vista Regional include retirement plans with employer match, paid time off, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital

Kaseman is one of eight hospitals in the Presbyterian Healthcare Services system. It is home to Presbyterian Behavioral Health and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center/Radiation Treatment Center. The benefits of working at a PHS location include dental coverage, vision care, paid time off, spending accounts for healthcare and daycare, long- and short-term disability, an educational plan similar to the 529 college savings plan, and other perks.

Lea Regional Medical Center

Lea Regional’s specialties include cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, urology, pediatrics, occupational medicine, gynecology, orthopedic surgery, and more. Benefits at Lea Regional include paid time off; dental, health, and vision plans; retirement options with employer match; and tuition reimbursement.

Medical Billing and Coding Salary in New Mexico

Data indicates that an aging population will increase demand on the medical industry as a whole, thus increasing demand on the medical records and health information industry. According to the BLS, demand for medical records and health information professionals is expected to increase nationwide by 13% from 2016 to 2026; this projected employment increase is higher than the average job growth expected of other U.S. occupations in that same time frame. And, given that the U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2016 that New Mexico’s senior citizens represent 16.5% of its total population, the state should see the demand the BLS projects. The average hourly wage among medical records and health information technicians in New Mexico is $17.25, or around $35,870 annually.

The average medical biller and coder holds Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification, and many also have an associate degree. Neither of these are required by every employer, but many employers do require one, the other, or both. Certification can be obtained by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) once a prospective medical biller and coder meets three conditions. First, they must provide the AAPC with proof that they have either earned 80 hours or more of relevant education and spent one year in the field, or that they have spent two years in the field. Second, they must join or maintain an AAPC membership. Third, students must pass a CPC certification exam, which consists of 150 multiple choice questions. Online programs, whether they be associate degree or exam training programs, will prepare students to pass the CPC exam; some even allow students to take the exam before they’ve completed their training.

Top Cities in New Mexico for Medical Billing and Coding Careers

Listed below are the top areas for medical billing and coding employment in New Mexico. The information is derived from the BLS.

  1. Farmington, NM

    According to the BLS, medical billers and coders working in Farmington have the third-highest wages in the state. There are about 80 employees who make an average of $17.91 per hour and $37,250 per year, both higher than the state averages.

  2. Albuquerque, NM

    The BLS reports that the majority of medical billers and coders in New Mexico work in Albuquerque. The average among the 600 employees make $18.02 hourly and $37,480 annually.

  3. Santa Fe, NM

    There are approximately 100 medical billers and coders in Santa Fe, who earn the highest average wages in the state, according to BLS. These professionals earn around $20.25 per year on average, totaling $42,110 in annual average wages.

  4. Las Cruces, NM

    The medical billers and coders in Las Cruces make wages well below the state and national averages, according to BLS statistics. These 140 workers make $14.1 per hour and $29,320 per year.

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