Medical Billing and Coding Careers
Medical Billing and Coding Overview
Those with a degree in medical billing and coding can expect to handle a variety of tasks in a medical work environment, including registering of patient information, performing insurance verification, pre-authorization and referral tasks, preparing and posting transactions on patient accounts, coding and billing insurance claims, and handling collections.
Employment Opportunities
Medical billing and coding professionals may work in a variety of environments, including:
- Family and pediatric medical practices
- Dentistry
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Nursing homes
- Insurance companies
- Rehabilitation centers
Skills
Medical billing and coding professionals need a wide range of capabilities, including:
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Attention to detail
- Excellent communication, organization and time management skills
- Knowledge of medical practice settings and specialties
Industry Spotlight
Technicians with a strong background in medical coding will be in particularly high demand. Changing government regulations and the growth of managed care have increased the amount of paperwork involved in filing insurance claims. Additionally, health care facilities are having some difficulty attracting qualified workers, primarily because employers prefer trained and experienced technicians prepared to work in an increasingly electronic environment with the integration of electronic health records. Job opportunities may be especially good for coders employed through temporary help agencies or by professional services firms.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008
