How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder Online
Looking to become a Medical Biller and Coder through an online program? Blackstone Career Institute’s Medical Billing and Coding online courses offer you comprehensive training including a working knowledge in ICD10‐CM, Medisoft V19 and HCPCS II. This program provides you with exclusive access to the Optum360 Encoder Pro Expert online coding resource. Gain the practical knowledge needed to process medical claims using the correct diagnostic and treatment codes. Upon course completion, you will have the skill set needed to secure a job working in the medical billing and coding profession.
Job Outlook
Due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures for an aging population, advancement opportunities in health information technology will continue to increase much faster than the average through 2026. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of medical billing and coding jobs are expected to grow up to 13% by 2026.
Expect to earn an attractive salary when you work in the medical billing and coding industry. According to the 2018-2019 Occupational Outlook Handbook, those working in a medical billing and coding career earned up to $62,840 annually, with the middle 50% earning as high as $38,040.
Education
Postsecondary certificate and associate’s degree programs in medical billing and coding field typically include courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, communication, health data requirements and standards, classification and coding systems, healthcare reimbursement methods, healthcare statistics, and computer systems. Applicants to medical billing and coding programs may increase their chances of admission by taking high school courses in health, computer science, math, and biology.
A high school diploma or equivalent and previous experience in a healthcare setting are enough to qualify for some positions, but most jobs for health information technicians require a certification course through an accredited institute, such as Blackstone Career institute.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most employers prefer to hire medical billers and coders who have certification, or they may expect applicants to earn certification shortly after being hired. Some organizations base certification on passing an exam. Others require graduation from an accredited program. Many coding certifications also require coding experience in a work setting. Once certified, technicians typically must renew their certification regularly and take continuing education courses.
Graduates of Blackstone’s Medical Billing and Coding online courses earn their certificate from an accredited career training institute. In additional to that, graduates are qualified to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) exam from the American Billing Association (AMBA), and the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Because licensing and certification requirements differ from state to state, it is important to check with the state licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state you plan to work to determine the requirements. Prospective employees should review regulatory information and professional licensing requirements. Please select your state from this site: https://blackstone.edu/about-us/state-licensing/
View from the field:
“Taking [the Medical Billing and Coding] an affordable course was the beginning of my new life. I took this course to qualify for a position at my local hospital, which required taking a Medical billing and Coding course before consideration. The self-paced model of the course worked for me, as I don’t do well with “micro-management”. Breaking the payment down into bite size pieces instead of a lump sum made this decision so much easier!”
-D. Rhymer, Medical Billing & Coding Graduate
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. A Medical Biller and Coder must understand and follow medical records and diagnoses, and then decide how best to code them in a patient’s medical records.
Detail oriented. A Medical Biller and Coder must be accurate when recording and coding patient information.
Integrity. A Medical Biller and Coder work with patient data that are required, by law, to be kept confidential. They must exercise discretion and a strong sense of ethics when working with this information in order to protect patient confidentiality.
Interpersonal skills. A Medical Biller and Coder need to be able to discuss patient information, discrepancies, and data requirements with other professionals such as physicians and finance personnel.
Technical skills. A Medical Biller and Coder must use coding and classification software and the electronic health record (EHR) system that their healthcare organization or physician practice has adopted.
For more the Medical Billing and Coding career you can have by earning your certificate online, you can read this blog: Why Start a Career in Medical Billing & Coding
