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Medical
billing specialists process medical billing information generated by health care
providers, thereby playing an instrumental role in the smooth operation of
healthcare financial systems.
Job Description and
Responsibilities of Graduates of Medical Billing Schools
Graduates of medical billing schools are expected to:
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Accurately complete
claim forms
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Promptly bill
insurance companies
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Adhere to insurance
carrier's policies and procedures
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Thoroughly
understand and comply with state and federal billing laws
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Maintain patient
confidentiality
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Be familiar with
standardized medical codes for various diagnoses and procedures
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Follow up and
resolve billing and reimbursement issues with insurance companies
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Have a working
knowledge of billing software
Career Options
After Medical Billing School
Students of
medical billing schools can opt to work in:
Self-employed medical billing specialists have the option to work from home as
their workload can be electronically provided by their clients or employers.
Medical Billing
Training & Certification
Prospective medical billing specialists can obtain medical billing training in a
few ways. One way to garner medical billing training is to attend a college or
university, which grants associate and bachelor degrees in health information
management. There are over 200 such institutions in the United States which
offer 2- and 4-year programs, depending on the type of degree. Such a degree
offers students a broad education in health information management that covers
other fields besides medical billing.
Another option is to enroll in a medical billing certificate or diploma program
at a vocational school or community college. Medical billing training includes
classes such as basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, healthcare
finance, mathematics, medical office administration and medical coding.
The third alternative is an online medical billing course. Various organizations
and educational institutions teach the basics of medical billing through a
combination of interactive web-based lessons and textbook learning. A web-based
medical billing course offers students the flexibility to learn at a time and
place of their choosing.
Graduates of medical billing schools can consider getting certified as they will
be looked upon favorably by prospective employers. Being certified demonstrates
your competence in medical coding training and commitment to high standards of
healthcare. To become a Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS),
graduates of medical billing schools will have to sit for an examination
administered by The American Medical Billing Association (AMBA).
Medical Billing
Schools Accreditation
You should verify the accreditation of any medical billing schools which you are
considering. This ensures that the medical billing course offered meets the
standards set forth by a regulatory body. Any medical billing course to which
you apply should meet the educational requirements advocated by its regional
accrediting body.
Medical Billing
School Graduates Earning Potential and Employment
Prospects
Graduates of medical billing schools made $25,550 on average in 2004. Employment
prospects look promising as the demand for skilled medical billing course
graduates has grown significantly. This is mainly due to the rapid growth of
managed care and health services. Medical billing administrators can advance in
their career by specializing or moving into management.
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