Prepare for Entry-Level Positions with Medical Billing and Coding Education
Do you aspire to work in the healthcare field as a medical biller and coder? Wondering what kind of medical billing and coding education is involved? An associate degree or diploma may help distinguish you as a qualified candidate for entry-level medical billing and coding job opportunities, such as a medical coder, medical billing specialist or insurance claims analyst. If you intend to pursue a career in this field, you should first familiarize yourself with medical billing and coding requirements.
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Medical Billing and Coding Requirements and Training
Career-specific medical billing and coding education can help you develop the skills and knowledge required for entry-level positions in the medical billing and coding field. Medical billing and coding requirements often include specialized medical billing and coding education, such as completion of a diploma or degree program, as well as industry-recognized certification. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of industry-standard codes and practices, which is why many employers seek candidates with relevant education and certification, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) designation.
Medical Billing and Coding Job Outlook
If you're considering a future in the healthcare field as a medical biller and coder, you're probably wondering about the medical billing and coding job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects should be “very good” for medical billing and coding specialists, which are included under the broader category of medical records and health information technicians. BLS projections indicate that employment of professionals in this field will increase 20% between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.* The BLS attributes this growth to an increase in the use of electronic medical records, the health problems associated with an expanding elderly population and the rising number of medical treatments, tests and procedures being performed today. As noted in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, technicians with a solid understanding of relevant computer software and technology will be in demand – so the medical billing and coding job outlook should be good for those with relevant training and certification.
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UMA’s Campus-Based and Online Medical Billing and Coding Education Programs
Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) provides quality medical billing and coding training [3] online as well as on-campus in Tampa, Florida. UMA offers a Medical Billing and Coding diploma program [4] that can be completed in as few as 10 months. Course topics include:
- Medical Basics and Healthcare Claim Cycle
- Anatomy, Terminology and Healthcare Payers
- Disease Processes and ICD-9-CM Coding
- Medical Practice Management Systems and Billing and Coding Applications
- Coding With Simulation, CPC® Prep and CPC® Review
For those students who wish to pursue further education, UMA offers an Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding, which can be completed in as few as 18 months. Beyond the core courses featured in the diploma program, the medical billing and coding degree [5] curriculum includes further instruction in business, communications and healthcare.
Upon completion of either of these medical billing and coding education programs, you'll be prepared to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) exam [6] offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). A UMA diploma or associate degree, coupled with industry certification, can help position you as a qualified candidate for entry-level medical billing and coding jobs.
To find out more about these medical billing and coding education programs, contact UMA [2] today!
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition. “Medical Records and Health Information Technicians.” <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos103.htm>.
For information on student graduation rates, retention and placement rates, and student financial obligations visit www.ultimatemedical.edu/consumerinfo [7]
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