Medical Coding and Billing - myFootpath

The Basics
Medical coding and billing specialists, also known as healthcare information technicians, work in the management, organization, and transmission of medical information between various healthcare providers and insurance companies.

Medical coding and billing technicians do vital work behind the scenes at hospitals and other healthcare facilities and ensure that doctors and insurance companies have all the necessary information to keep medical treatment running smoothly and effectively. This is a thriving sector of the modern medical economy, with good growth prospects and flexible working environments.

Where Do I Begin?
In general, medical coding and billing professionals obtain an Associate’s degree from an accredited university program. Such programs are often offered in both accelerated and online formats. Some employers will require employees to pass a test certifying them as RHITs—Registered Health Information Technicians.

Medical coding and billing is an excellent profession for working adults looking to change careers, as there are large numbers of quality programs in medical coding and billing at colleges and universities across the country and online.

Featured Online Schools for a Medical Coding and Billing Degree:

• Everest University – Request Information
• Kaplan University – Request Information
• Virginia College – Request Information

Featured Campus Schools for a Medical Coding and Billing Degree:

• Brown Mackie College – Request Information
• Concorde Career Institute, Tampa Campus – Request Information
• Florida Career College, Boynton Beach Campus – Request Information
• Everest University – Request Information
• Rasmussen College, Mankato Campus – Request Information
• Virginia College – Request Information
• YTI Career Institute, Mechanicsburg – Request Information
  

Compatible Personality Traits
Attentive, patient, meticulous, alert, thorough, focused, diligent, productive, careful, committed.

Salary Expectations for Medical Coding and Billing
According to the Department of Labor, the median salary for medical coding and billing specialists is $30,060. For example, medical billing specialists with one to four years on the job earn a median salary of $30,022, and those with five to nine years of experience earn a median of $33,505. Strong possibilities for advancement exist, as both healthcare office environments require considerable numbers of managers and supervisors.

Job Outlook for Medical Coding and Billing
Job growth in this field is very strong, and prospective workers can expect good employment opportunities as the healthcare industry seeks to continue to simplify and organize medical records using the power of information technology, a process which should continue for the foreseeable future. According to the US Department of Labor, employment of health information technicians is expected to grow by 18% by the year 2016.

Slightly Off the Footpath
Medical Assistant
Medical Transcriptionist
Radiological Technician
Pharmacy Technician

Sources: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. bls.gov/oes/current/oes292071.htm; payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Billing_Specialist/Salary