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Break Into an In-demand Field By Getting Medical Billing and Coding Certification
Managing medical records, assigning precise diagnostic codes, filing clean medical claims, dealing with the insurance companies and getting reimbursements. All these tasks are an important part of healthcare financial management. And require a unique set of skills as well as expertise. Therefore, the demand for professionals having medical billing and coding certification has been increased in the healthcare market.
Medical billers and coders have become an important part of healthcare practices. As they are responsible to ensure timely and complete reimbursements for the healthcare services provided to patients.
Are you looking to begin a career as a biller or coder? Congratulations! You’re on a great career path. Because it has been estimated that the billing and coding field is likely to grow by 15% between now and 2024. This implies that there will be a ton of new job openings in the upcoming years.
The reason behind the growing demand for billers and coders is obvious. As gone are the days, when healthcare providers used to put the responsibility of billing and coding to the existing staff, with zero to little knowledge.
Now in this fast-pacing era, things have changed. The latest evolutions in the field of medical coding, billing guidelines, strict policies established by the payers and regulatory authorities have made the healthcare RCM extremely complicated.
Therefore, acquiring the assistance of billers and coders having particular medical billing and coding certification has become the need of the hour. So, due to all these factors, the need for such professionals is growing like never before.
However, there are several misconceptions regarding the education requirements to become a medical biller or coder. In reality, pursuing a career in the field of billing doesn’t require formal education. You can enter this profession by obtaining the following coding and billing certification.
What Does it Require to Become a Biller or Coder?
There are a number of medical coding and billing certification, associate as well as online programs you can choose to get training in medical billing. But you should be very careful and always choose the right type of certification that paves the way to a quality career.
The general rule of thumb is to set clear goals about what kind of healthcare setting you want to work in. Then you can contact the Human Resources Department to get a better idea of the educational criteria to secure a position in the healthcare facility.
In this way, you can easily choose what degree or medical billing and certification you need to pursue. Are you confused about how to start your career in medical billing and coding? Then your search ends here.
Here are the complete guidelines, you can follow to achieve your career goals.
1.Complete High School Education
You should always keep in mind that every billing and coding certification requires a high school education or equivalent. So, it is the first step towards your certification.
2.Consider Starting With a Diploma Program
Billing and coding diplomas can be a suitable option for various students. After completing the high school education, you can enrol yourself in such diplomas that usually takes 6-9 months.
And gives the most basic training about handling billing tasks such as: claims submission, follow up, ar recovery and medical coding. It is a cost-effective billing and coding diploma that can be earned from medical billing schools, community colleges, or even online.
However, not all diploma programs offered online are reliable. Be wary of online courses, because there are many scams out there. It’s pertinent to mention here that the Diploma program may be a good jump for some students but for many it may not be sufficient to get them where they want to go. Because it just provides very basic knowledge about billing and coding.
3. Get an Associate’s Degree
If you want to explore and grow more in the billing and coding fields, you should go for a 4-year college or an Associate’s degree.
An associate degree can take up to 2 years and provide in-depth training and knowledge about the latest medical coding classifications, efficient management of medical claims, denial management and reclaim lost payments on the behalf of the healthcare practice.
It can be expensive as compared to the billing and coding certification or diploma. But it enables you to secure a top position and fairly lucrative career opportunities in top healthcare practices including hospitals, physicians’ offices and insurance agencies as well. You can obtain this degree from various community colleges.
In addition to this, a Bachelor of Arts in Health Information and Management is another way to start your career in the fields of medical billing and coding. It has been estimated that those having a bachelors’ degree earned $10,000 per year more as compared to billers and coders with an Associate’s degree.
4. Choose Which Certification to Pursue
American Health Information Management (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) are the most popular organizations that provide medical billing certification. Which helps you to take your career to the next level.
A billing and coding certification is an indication that billers and coders have a high level of skills and expertise. You can choose any of the following certifications to pursue a career in medical billing and coding.
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC).
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB).
- Certified Outpatient Coding (COC).
- Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).
- Certified Professional Coder-payer (CPC-P)
- Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P)
- Specialty Coding Professional (SCP)
- Advanced Coding Specialist (ACS)
- Home Care Coding Specialist Diagnosis (HCS-D)
- Evaluation and Management (CEMC)
- Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CCVTC)
Such coding and billing certifications enable you to manage complicated billing and coding tasks efficiently.
Want to get more detailed information about the costs, duration, and eligibility criteria for the medical billing and coding certification? Then stay tuned with the Medical Billing Benefits. It is the most reliable source of information about the latest happening in the healthcare industry. Visit our website to keep your knowledge updated.
