It is not always easy deciding on a career whether just out of high school or already working for 20 years.
You might choose the West Virginia Medical Billing and Coding health occupation path if you have office experience and don’t want to administer patient diagnosis or treatment.
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- Licensing Requirements to Become a West Virginia Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
- 5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in West Virginia
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How much will my West Virginia Billing and Coding exam cost?
- How long does WV medical billing and coding training take?
- What does a West Virginia biller and coder do all day?
- Where would a medical billing and specialist work in WV?
- What challenges do WV medical billers and coders face?
- Can I use my WV billing and coding license in any state?
Licensing Requirements to Become a West Virginia Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
West Virginia has no state licensing requirements to become a medical biller and coder.
You should instead make sure you uphold the standards that healthcare facilities expect their employees to have.
If you are not sure how to become certified, start with the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
While doing this, seek schooling from a training center that prepares you for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential.
The AAPC provides other certificates too, such as the Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) or the Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) and Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and several specialized credentials.
You also might find schools that partner with either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the National Health Career Association (NHA) in West Virginia.
5 Medical Billing & Coding Schools in West Virginia
1. Eastern West Virginia Community Technical College
This school prepares you for taking the NHA exam.
It also enables you to efficiently file patient insurance and billing forms.
In addition, you will practice accurate medical history record-keeping using the CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS coding systems.
It is not just about what you do but how you do it, however.
This school also teaches about medical care ethics and HIPAA patient privacy laws.
2. West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC)
WVNCC offers a comprehensive Medical Billing and Coding Certificate of Applied Science course that includes foundation courses in diagnostic procedures.
In the process, you also learn the basics of anatomy, medical terms, and physiology.
All this training prepares you to recall the codes used to classify patient conditions and treatment records.
The association with medical basics also will help you understand the reason for the coding used.
This instruction will also prepare you for using technology in a healthcare office and working with patients, doctors, and insurance companies.
It also will enable you to resolve reimbursement issues and comply with patient privacy laws.
3. West Virginia Junior College (WVJC)
WVJC provides instruction for students who want to learn how to assign the correct codes to patient records.
This training also prepares you for dealing with insurance reimbursement disputes.
In addition, this coursework will enable you to look up important information, such as past diagnoses and treatments.
Your classes also will guide you through claim processing steps.
4. Physicode Healthcare
This AAPC training partner offers a multitude of options for students who want to earn billing and coding certificates.
You can take courses that prepare you for the CPC, or you could concentrate on an inpatient or outpatient specialization.
Your coursework will also prepare you for your upcoming certification exam.
5. Ohana Coding
This school has received recognition from the AAPC as a national certification provider.
No matter what state you are in, you can sign up for 12-week or weekend online boot camps and courses.
Prepare for your chosen certification specialization, such as the CPC, CIC, or CPB.
Some courses are being redesigned, but you could also qualify for coding certificates that prepare you for ambulatory or compliance work.
Billing and Coding Schools in West Virginia- Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in West Virginia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Eastern West Virginia Community Technical College | 316 Eastern Dr, Moorefield, WV 26836 |
| West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) | 1600 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV 26003 |
| West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) | 148 Willey St, Morgantown, WV 26505 |
| Physicode Healthcare | 75 Washington St. #413 PO BOX 413 Fairburn, GA 30213 |
| Ohana Coding | 1515 N Warson Rd Ste. 256, St. Louis, MO 63132 |
Salary
Average West Virginia Billing and Coding Entry Level Salary in West Virginia totals approximately $35,816 per year.
This figure from April 2022 also includes a range of $ $32,430-$39,384 depending on where you live in the state.
After a few years and earning additional certifications, your income could rise to $42,632.
Look for jobs in multiple locations, such as Charleston, Weirton, Huntington, or Barboursville.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Biller and Coders in West Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $37,500 |
| Huntington | $36,700 |
| Parkersburg | $36,500 |
| Wheeling | $40,300 |
| Morgantown | $40,300 |
| Weirton | $40,100 |
| Fairmont | $40,300 |
| Beckley | $37,100 |
| Clarksburg | $36,200 |
| Martinsburg | $45,600 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 90 | $39,240 | $18.87 | $59,450 | $24,960 |
| Charleston, WV | 110 | $39,280 | $18.89 | $57,460 | $27,100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 430 | $48,920 | $23.52 | $65,570 | $29,980 |
| Morgantown, WV | 120 | $42,200 | $20.29 | $51,350 | $30,090 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 40 | $35,170 | $16.91 | $49,710 | $22,880 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 120 | $46,440 | $22.33 | $67,290 | $31,830 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 80 | $38,850 | $18.68 | $52,090 | $29,450 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my West Virginia Billing and Coding exam cost?
How much you pay for your medical billing and coding certification exam may vary depending on the association.
Usually, they are about $200-$300 to about $500-$700 each.
Some packets include the study materials and practice tests.
You might receive a voucher from some schools to help you pay for your exam though.
How long does WV medical billing and coding training take?
Medical billing and coding training can take anywhere from 6 months to a couple of years.
It varies depending on the program and the school and your career goals.
You can start working, and it is even preferred and required before you take your first certification exam.
It takes an average of four to eight months to complete each certification, but some people might enroll in a one-year certificate program.
What does a West Virginia biller and coder do all day?
These professionals handle insurance claims, payments, scheduling, accounts receivable, and research.
They ensure that all patient transactions comply with all state and federal regulations.
Where would a medical billing and specialist work in WV?
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities may have an increasing need because of the increased aging population.
However, hospitals and urgent care clinics need them, and so do doctors with private practices.
What challenges do WV medical billers and coders face?
People who work as billers and coders sometimes become frustrated with changing health regulations.
These may sometimes affect the way someone, such as you, would record patient information.
Maybe the code that existed for a specific health condition last week does not exist anymore, for instance.
Other issues include too many patient intakes at once or boredom from filling in too many of the same codes all day long.
In either case, increased inaccuracy could occur if you do not pay attention to what you are doing.
Make sure you do not make costly mistakes.
Can I use my WV billing and coding license in any state?
Most of the regulations about medical billing and coding providers pertain to third-party billers running a medical records business.
That would not apply to you.
The certification you receive can be used by any medical facility across the country that recognizes it.
In other words, you should concern yourself more with what potential employers think that the state you are in.
