In a time when few career options offer exceptional growth opportunities, the need for medical office and billing specialists is expected to grow by 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you would like to transition into an in demand field, the healthcare industry offers tremendous opportunity. A medical office specialist works to keep a healthcare provider’s office running smoothly. Billing and coding professionals ensure rapid turnaround for invoicing, keeping healthcare facilities running with positive cash flow. The more skills you have, the more in demand you may be as an employee. Examine the benefits of a combined program that gives you the best of both worlds.
A medical office and billing specialist trains to successfully perform all of the functions of a front office administrator. Medical office training includes academic courses and hands-on experience in:
- Medical terminology
- Medical record management
- Quality customer service concepts
- Career development and life skills planning
All of these job skills can give patients a pleasant experience when seeking medical attention. Skilled front office management ensures that a patient has the correct records, allowing faster service and better diagnosis. The addition of billing and coding experience adds value to an entry-level job seeker. Front office management does not always require a full time employee, particularly in smaller practices. Combining billing and coding with medical office training gives you extra skills that allow you to help with insurance reimbursement forms. Billing and coding professionals designate procedures performed with the correct codes for reimbursement. This allows healthcare providers to receive payment as rapidly as possible. Medical professionals that offer both skills are in demand, as they are able to tackle two complex tasks in a medical office setting.
How to Become a Medical Office and Billing Specialist
Different programs cover different aspects of medical office training, but the combined program available at Ultimate Medical Academy gives you all the skills you need to seek employment in many healthcare settings. Medical office specialist training is typically offered in two formats: diploma or degree programs. A diploma program gives you quick entry into a new career path, with graduation in as little as 10 months. If you would rather graduate with a degree, that is also an option. An Associate in Health Sciences degree offers incredible growth potential for the future. In only 19 months, you can graduate with an Associate in Health Sciences with a Concentration in Medical Office and Billing Specialist (completion time may vary according to individual student). After successful completion of a combined specialty program, you have the skills needed to start an entry-level career as a medical receptionist, billing and coding clerk or medical administrative assistant.