What is a Medical Coder?
Medical coders review the documentation created by physicians before an insurance claim is processed. They make sure that the insurance claims are coded properly to obtain the maximum reimbursement for physicians. It is a necessary part of the billing cycle for doctors in private practices. Read More
Medical Coders’ Employment Rate
As discussed in depth by Desert Medical Careers in March, medical coding positions are on the rise. According to the AAPC’s 2013 Salary Survey, medical coders experienced a 1.7% unemployment rate in comparison to the national average unemployment rate of 7.4% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average Salary of a Medical Coder
Medical Coders made an average salary in 2013 of $46,847 according to the AAPC’s Salary Survey. Medical Coders in the Mountain Region, which includes Arizona, make an average of $46,832. The highest region in the country was the Pacific Region, which reported an average salary of $53,633 in 2013.
Salaries by Certification
Medical coders can receive various certifications in their industry, and the different certifications yield significantly different compensation rates.
Certified Professional Coder (CPC©) – $48,593
Over 97,000 medical coding professionals hold this certification. According to the AAPC, this certification will earn a coder 20% more, on average, than a non-certified coder. This position has the most employment opportunities of all the certifications.
CPCs review medical charts and assign medical codes for diagnoses, procedures, and services performed by health care providers. The services a CPC may code for include anesthesia, surgery, radiology, and more.
Get more information about the CPC certification and exam here.
If you would like to be placed in a healthcare job within the United States, please fill out the form below or call us at 602-468-6300.
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Certified Professional Coder-Hospital Outpatient (CPC-H©) – $56,284
A CPC-H coder will focus on coding diagnoses, procedures, services, diagnostic testing, and therapies performed in an outpatient setting. (This certification will be renamed COC (Certified Outpatient Coder) on January 1, 2015.)
Get more information about the CPC-H certification and exam here.
Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P©) – $57,995
This coder typically will work with either a private or public health plan, known as a payer. A CPC-P processes and analyzes medical claims for payment, so this type of coder must be familiar with coding guidelines and reimbursement methodologies from the payer’s perspective.
Get more information about the CPC-P certification and exam here.
Medical Coder with Specialty Credentials – $53,489
In addition to the certifications listed above, there are many more certifications related to specialty environments, such as cardiology, pediatrics, and more. All of the medical coder specialty credentials can be reviewed at the AAPC’s website.
Medical Coding Jobs in Arizona
Desert Medical Careers has worked with Arizona Medical Coders for over 19 years to find them the best salaries, work environments, and positions. We staff healthcare related jobs in Central Phoenix, North Phoenix, Anthem, Peoria, Scottsdale, Tempe, Queen Creek, and West Phoenix. Get our current listing of job opportunities here.