Medical Billing and Medical Coding

Medical Billing and Coding experts translate medical procedures performed by physicians into a set of standard codes that facilitate the insurance claim and payment process. They perform an integral role in today's health care infrastructure. Medical practitioners, health insurance companies, and patients rely on medical billing and coding experts to connect the dots that will ensure a straight line of health information data communication among all parties.

Medical Billing and Coding Salaries
According to the 2005 Salary Survey of the American Academy of Professional Coders, certified coders earn $39,000 annually. Coders with 10 years of experience earn an average of $45,000 annually. Non-certified coders earn $1,000 to $7,000 less. According to AHIMA, those with an associate's degree typically earn $20,000 to $30,000 for starters. Those earning four-year degrees begin at $30,000 to $50,000 and can make $50,000 to $75,000 in five years.

Medical Coding Certification
Getting certified is vital to a professional medical coder's career. According to AAPC, certified coders can earn up to 25% more than non-certified coders. Certified medical coders are preferred by employers seeking ethical, accurate, experienced, and professional medical coders. AAPC's CPC® certification credential and AHIMA's CCS credential are the only medical coding credentials recognized by employers, payers, and government agencies.

Medical Billing and Coding Careers
Education and training in Medical Coding and Billing can help prepare students interested in developing and advancing such interesting, in-demand careers as:

• Health Care Technician
• Insurance Verification Representative
• Clinical Information Specialist
• Health Information Specialist
• Patient Services Coordinator
• Medical Records Specialist
• Insurance Follow-up Specialist
• Relationship Client Manager
• Claims Processor

Medical Coding - Certificate
The Medical Coding Certificate program can be completed in just 12 months and is designed to help students examine and understand health care delivery systems, medical health care information terminologies, and classification systems for diseases. They will learn to abstract clinical information from a variety of medical records and assign appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes to patient records. Students will also learn to utilize computer software to categorize patients into one of several hundred "diagnosis-related groups" (DRG).

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Medical Billing and Coding - Associate of Applied Science
This comprehensive curriculum covers the technical aspects of the insurance industry, computer technology, federal and state regulations, coding techniques for doctors’ offices and hospitals, basic medical office administration and offers extensive practice in preparing medical claims. This 21-month program includes subjects such as Pharmacology, Computerized Billing, Law and Ethics of Health Information Management and more. Graduates will have a solid knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and the business aspects of the billing and coding field. The program will also prepare graduates for industry recognized certifications such as the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) and after a recommended three years of field experience, the CCS (Certified Coding Specialist).

Medical Coding and Billing - AABA
The AABA degree program with a concentration in Medical Coding and Billing features industry-relevant coursework taught by faculty members with real-world experience in the field.

Health Information Technology - Applied Associate of Science
Rasmussen's Health Information Technology AAS Degree program is accredited by CAHIIM and will prepare students to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Program topics include: basic, intermediate, and advanced ICD-9-CM coding, ambulatory care coding, pathology, health information technologies, and more.

Health Information Technology - Associate of Science
DeVry's CAHIIM accredited Health Information Technology program prepares graduates to work with applications systems and manage electronic health information databases. Graduates of this program will be prepared to take the RHIT certification exam.