Medical Billing & Coding: Career Choice
Why Choose to be a Medical Biller or Coder?
The Job of the Future
Medical billing and coding professionals work in every medical office, clinic, hospital and insurance firm, making important contributions to the delivery of quality healthcare. Among one of the fastest growing careers, advancement opportunities in health information technology continue to improve.
The Career
Depending on the size of the facility, billing and coding can be the job of one person or it may be distinguished as two separate jobs.
The job of the medical biller entails knowing the methods of billing patients, understanding various collection methods, completing medical claims forms, and coding. Medical billers must know how to explain charges and communicate effectively with patients and insurance companies.
Medical coders assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure on claim forms that are submitted to health insurance companies. Codes exist for all types of medical encounters, services, tests, treatments, and procedures provided in a medical office, clinic, or hospital. Classification manuals and software programs assist medical coders in doing their job efficiently.
Job Opportunities
Medical billers and coders (often called health information technicians) can utilize their skills in a variety of healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, medical group practices, clinics and home health agencies. Other settings that may employ health information technicians are insurance firms, public health departments, government agencies and educational institutions. Some opportunities also exist for home employment.
Employment Outlook
As insurance and governmental regulations become more complex and the U.S. population ages, the demand for medical billing and coding professionals continues to rise. Health information technology is one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the United States. This career field is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014, due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures which will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts and consumers.
What You Can Earn
Many factors are considered when calculating salary for medical billing and coding specialists such as where you live, your job title, education level and years of experience. Becoming certified in your field can add to your career value and increase your salary. According to the American Academy of Professional Coders Salary Survey from 2003, noncertified specialists earned up to $37,000 and certified specialists earned up to $47,000. Overall, studies show a healthy job market and an exciting variety of career opportunities.
The Job of the Future
Medical billing and coding professionals work in every medical office, clinic, hospital and insurance firm, making important contributions to the delivery of quality healthcare. Among one of the fastest growing careers, advancement opportunities in health information technology continue to improve.
The Career
Depending on the size of the facility, billing and coding can be the job of one person or it may be distinguished as two separate jobs.
The job of the medical biller entails knowing the methods of billing patients, understanding various collection methods, completing medical claims forms, and coding. Medical billers must know how to explain charges and communicate effectively with patients and insurance companies.
Medical coders assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure on claim forms that are submitted to health insurance companies. Codes exist for all types of medical encounters, services, tests, treatments, and procedures provided in a medical office, clinic, or hospital. Classification manuals and software programs assist medical coders in doing their job efficiently.
Job Opportunities
Medical billers and coders (often called health information technicians) can utilize their skills in a variety of healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, medical group practices, clinics and home health agencies. Other settings that may employ health information technicians are insurance firms, public health departments, government agencies and educational institutions. Some opportunities also exist for home employment.
Employment Outlook
As insurance and governmental regulations become more complex and the U.S. population ages, the demand for medical billing and coding professionals continues to rise. Health information technology is one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the United States. This career field is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014, due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures which will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts and consumers.
What You Can Earn
Many factors are considered when calculating salary for medical billing and coding specialists such as where you live, your job title, education level and years of experience. Becoming certified in your field can add to your career value and increase your salary. According to the American Academy of Professional Coders Salary Survey from 2003, noncertified specialists earned up to $37,000 and certified specialists earned up to $47,000. Overall, studies show a healthy job market and an exciting variety of career opportunities.
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Blackstone Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, Washington D.C., regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, PA and licensed by the State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. BCI provides an excellent foundation for anyone interested in earning a career diploma from home. With more than a century of expertise, Blackstone offers a committed, responsive faculty and a quality education, all at an affordable rate. |
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