Miami Medical Coding and Billing Diploma Program

Graduates of the Medical Coding and Billing diploma program at CBT will be prepared for a successful career as a medical coder and biller. They will be able to review documentation received from healthcare practitioners and to translate that information into standardized numerical codes.

What Advanced Courses Does The Medical Coding and Billing Diploma Prepare Me For?

The medical coding and billing diploma program at our Cutler Bay campuses will prepare you for the Coding and Billing Entry Level Certification (CBCS) conducted by NHA/ATI. In addition, students who have graduated from our Coding and Billing program are prepared and eligible to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam conducted by AAPC and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) conducted by AHIMA. Get the certifications you need to have a competitive edge in the medical coding and billing job market.

Is The Medical Billing and Coding Industry in Miami Growing?

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the medical billing and coding field growing by as much as 15% between now and 2024.  Nationally – that averages to almost 30,000 positions that could have openings within the next two years.

This demand is largely driven by an aging population within the US, but more recently healthcare services have been pushing to increase the focus of the digitization of health records and using that to help drive improvements to healthcare via that data.

Within Miami, you’ll find positions in the medical coding and billing field in the following types of businesses:

• Hospitals
• Doctor’s Offices
• Nursing Homes
• Residental Care Facilties
• Health Insurance Companies
• Mental Health Facilties
• Other Health Practitioners 

Miami is also home to some of Florida’s largest hospitals.  Just within city limits, you may find medical billing coding positions at the following hospitals:

• University of Miami Health System
• Jackson Memorial Hospital
• Baptist Hospital of Miami
• Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
• HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
• Keralty Hospital Miami

How Do Medical Coders and Billers Make in Florida?

In addition to a large number of open positions, a career path in medical coding and billing can be quite lucrative – especially in an urban environment like Miami.  Starting salaries in the US for 2022 (according to the AAPC) are as follows:

• National Non-Certified Medical Coding & Billing: $47,200
• National Certified Medical Coding & Billing: $58,055

On average – you’ll find you’ll earn approximately 27% more then your uncertified colleagues.  As you continue to grow your career and certifications, you’ll find yourself earning as much as $70,000 with three or more coding and billing credentials.

On average, you’ll find that Florida based medical billing and coding professionals make slightly less then the national average.

Flordia’s average medical coding and billing salary came in at $55,823 dollars, compared to an average US salary of 58,055.  Generally these discrepancies are due to local and state economies.  If you are earning additional certificates in Florida, you’ll find that potential salary to increase:

• Florida CPC Certified Medical Coding & Billing: $57,443
• Florida COC Certified Medical Coding & Billing: $63,005
• Florida CIC Certified Medical Coding & Billing: $85,714

What Should Medical Coding and Billing Students Learn Once They Finish The Course?

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Understand the medical Coding & Billing scope of practice
• Demonstrate knowledge and the importance of HIPAA regulations and other healthcare laws
• Use and apply correctly the diagnostic coding sets using the ICD-9-CM coding manual and 3M Encoder Software. Students are also trained in ICD-10 CM codes in preparation for the transition effective in October 2019.
• Master diagnostic coding for all body systems, newborn conditions, signs and systems, ill-defined conditions, injury, poisoning, V codes, and E codes
• Use the CPT coding manual to code procedures, services, and treatments, Evaluation and Management (E/M) encounters, and radiology, pathology, and laboratory services
• Use and apply correctly the Healthcare Procedural Coding System (HCPCS)
• Understand the health insurance cycle process and complete correctly health insurance claims forms, and know-how providers are reimbursed for their services
• Demonstrate skills and knowledge of computer applications, Medisoft software, Electronic billing as well as entry-level Electronic Data Entry and Electronic Health Records skills

What do medical coders and billers do?

The simplest explanation is that medical coding and billing professional acts as a liaison between the doctor’s office or hospital and the insurance companies.  You’ll be helping your medical facility manage the insurance claims as well as invoices and payments involved in the various healthcare procedures your office performs.

Some of the typical day-to-day tasks for a medical coder and biller might include:

• preparing and sending invoices for patients 
• preparing claims for payment for insurance companies
• helping correct rejected insurance claims
• converting doctor and nurse notes to proper billing codes
• tracking and following up on outstanding bills and claims

It’s worth mentioning that medical billing and coding positions are almost entirely office-related work.  While you’ll be working closely with doctors and nurses and staff, there is little to no face-to-face interaction with patients.  Most medical and billing work takes place on a standard computer.

Is There A Difference Between Medical Billing and Medical Coding?

While certifications will allow you to perform both types of work – you’ll generally find that there are a number of explicit differences between a medical biller and medical coders and as you become more specialized or work at larger facilities you may soon find yourself working specifically on one side or the other.  This is a short explanation of each field:

Medical Coders: You’ll act as the first step in the medical coding and billing process and you’ll primarily be receiving and interpreting the care provided for patients into specific codes that modern healthcare computer systems can easily understand.  

Medical Billers: Once properly coded, a medical biller will be using said codes to file insurance claims, post payments to accounts, as well as generate invoices for patients if needed.  You’ll be working much more closely with insurance companies and handling insurance rejections as well.