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3 Reasons a Medical Billing and Coding Career Is Important to Healthcare
The medical billing and coding (MBC) career field is growing faster than many other jobs in the healthcare industry. Now is the time to take advantage of this great opportunity.
Medical billers and coders are critical in ensuring healthcare centers, clinics, and hospitals run smoothly. MBC specialists ensure patients receive accurate charges for their treatments. They take the information doctors provide and translate it into a format that enables insurance companies to assist patients in covering their bills. If you want to learn more about the growing medical billing and coding profession, read on to find out more.
What Do MBCs Do?
Most medical billing and coding professionals work in hospital accounting and billing departments. Responsibilities include office scheduling, records management, coding diagnoses, and other digital tasks. Therefore, MBC workers must understand a patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan. They then make that information clear to insurance and patients alike.
Much of the work of MBCs involves understanding computer coding and organizing a hospital’s records and books. Hospitals’ behind-the-scenes operations are crucial to patient health, and MBCs are at the core of the business. However, there are some differences between the career paths of medical billing and medical coding specialists.
- Medical coders convert a medical provider’s notes and diagnostic reports into industry-standard codes that facilities can use to maintain records and bill insurance companies.
- Medical billers take the coded information and generate invoices for patients and insurance providers. They also determine co-pay requirements, track the payments, and follow up on outstanding fees.
How Do I Become a Medical Biller or Coder?
Getting your start as an MBC is easy. Here at Swedish Institute, we offer programs where you can become certified in as little as 12 months! We help you learn about the ins and outs of various medical billing and coding careers, such as records technicians and insurance claims specialists. We also provide flexible program schedules to accommodate your availability. That means you can learn the ropes of becoming an MBC around your busy life.
After you pass the necessary examinations, our career services department can help you find a job in this expanding field.* Contact us today to learn more about our program and enrollment information.
What Are the Career Prospects of a Medical Billing and Coding Professional?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that thousands of careers in the medical billing and coding industry will open up in the next 10 years. The average medical billing and coding salary across the nation is approximately $47,000 per year. In the New York area, the average salary is closer to $55,000. You can expect stable salaries and frequent job openings for your medical billing and coding career.
Working as a Medical Billing and Coder is great for someone who wants to work in healthcare but does not want to treat patients. Typically, this profession has a standard of 9-5 hours making for a good work-life balance. Plus, this is all within the safety and security of working in the highly-valued healthcare industry. Learn more about Swedish Institute’s 12-month certificate program today!
*The New York State Education Department has registered Swedish Institute’s programs. Swedish Institute has received accreditation from ACCSC. Swedish Institute’s career services department does not guarantee employment.
Please visit our student consumer information page for important information on program costs, completion and placement rates, median debt incurred, etc.
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