Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Health care careers require a variety of degrees and/or certifications. In fact, many people in the health care industry return to school for updated training or certification. Commonly offered degree and certification programs include:
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
- Career-Specific Certification
With our baby boomer generation aging, the health care field is growing exponentially. From an increased need for pharmacists and technicians to growing demand for medical records specialists, there are jobs related to health care throughout the nation. You can make yourself a more marketable candidate by returning to school and broadening your knowledge base.
Because there are so many different types of degrees available in the health care world, it also means that it can take a varied amount of time to get certified or start your career. Many technicians can get their certificates in one or two years, but a large percentage of workers return to school to get additional training or a degree. Generally, the more education completed, the higher the salary.
How to Become a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
A medical billing and coding specialist, also known as a medical records and health information technician, is in charge of organizing and proofreading records, bills, and statements to verify they are error free and then transcribing the diagnoses and diseases into a coded format that is used throughout the health care industry. Your medical billing and coding specialist career will also entail corresponding with insurance companies and serving as liaison with the patients in regards to billing and payment details.
Education You Need for Medical Billing and Coding
To become a medical billing and coding specialist you will need to earn a two-year associate’s degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) many employers prefer to hire those who have also earned a Registered Health Care Technician credential, so you should enroll in a school that features this certification as part of the degree program.
Typical classes for a medical billing and coding specialist career include data analysis, database security and management, medical terminology, health data requirements and standards, health care reimbursement standards, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology as well as core classes in English, mathematics, and social science. Many medical billing and coding specialists continue their education to earn a bachelor or masters degree in order to specialize in a certain area and achieve higher salaries.
Medical Billing and Coding Salaries
Those in the medical billing and coding specialist career field can expect one of the highest job opening growths of all occupations in the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20 percent growth in employment, mainly due to the aging population and their medical needs. In 2008 the median annual medical billing and coding specialist salary was $30,610, with the lowest ten percent reflecting those entering the field earning less than $20,440. The highest ten percent of medical billing and coding specialist salaries was over $50,060. (Salary data retrieved 6/25/11)
To get the training you need to start a successful medical billing and coding career, find a training program now!