medical-billing-and-coding-online-training

Are you looking for a career in the healthcare industry? Are organization, communication, and time management some of your strongest traits? If so, a career in medical billing and coding as a Medical Office specialist or MOA might be a good fit for you!

Exploring coding certification programs could help you get the training you may need to reach your career goals. You could also learn additional skills that could help you earn your spot in a medical setting! Keep reading to find out what you can do with your Medical Billing and Coding Online training!

 

Take the first step in your career journey today!

 

What is Medical Billing and Coding?

Medical coders assign the diagnosis and procedure codes for patient care, population health statistics, and billing purposes. For example, they might review patient information for preexisting conditions, such as diabetes, to ensure proper coding of patient data. They also work as the liaison between healthcare providers and billing offices1. Medical billing and coding play a vital role in ensuring that medical facilities run smoothly.

 

What are Medical Billing and Coding Specialists Duties?

Medical billing and coding professionals provide timely support to every healthcare system by ensuring that the billing processes run smoothly. Some duties of these professionals typically include:

  • Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy
  • Organize and update information in clinical databases or registries
  • Use classification systems to assign clinical codes for insurance reimbursement and data analysis
  • Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
  • Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records

These duties may vary by employer or the size of the company in which you work.

 

Career Outlook

According to the bureau of labor statistics, “employment of medical records and health information specialists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030”2. As electronic health records (EHRs) are increasingly used, there will be a need for a wide variety of specialists in all areas of healthcare to manage and organize information.

“About 34,300 openings for medical records and health information specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade3.” With medical registrars in high demand as the older population increases, there could be more types of billing and coding jobs available!

 

What Does a Medical Billing and Coding Career Look Like?

Medical billing and coding technicians, or health information technicians, record, organize and manage patients’ health information data. This is done by ensuring that the data maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files and in electronic systems.

A medical coder also works with different insurance companies. “They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patient's medical and treatment histories1.”

Medical billing and coding technicians usually work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities. There is some flexibility in the hours that these technicians work because of 24-hour hospitals and medical buildings. Working evening or overnight shifts is common4. Some medical billing and coding specialists may even be able to work from home!

As a full-time medical coder, you might spend many hours in front of a computer monitor. It will be important to have a comfortable workspace!

 

Why Choose NCC?

With NCC, you will receive a high-quality education and learn the skills necessary to launch your career. The Medical Office Specialist Billing and Coding classes at NCC are taught by our qualified and experienced instructors. We offer online day and evening courses, so your already busy schedule does not hold you back from pursuing a rewarding career.

The Medical Office Specialist training program at National Career College consists of theory, laboratory, and externship modules. These classes include:

  • Computer Operating Systems
  • Keyboarding and Typing
  • Office Procedures and MS Office I&II
  • Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology I&II
  • Medical Coding
  • Medical Insurance
  • Electronic Medical Billing
  • Employment Preparation & Externship

These modules could provide students the opportunity to learn career-focused Medical Office Specialist skills. For example, students can learn the basic skills of medical coding. This includes Current Procedure Terminology (CPT), ICD-10 codes, and the preparation and processing of various insurance claims.

 

After Graduation

Students may choose to continue their studies towards earning their billing and coding certificate after graduation. Once you have completed the Medical Office Specialist program, you may sit for a variety of certification exams. This includes NCICS (Nationally Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist) and NCMOA (Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant) (NCCT).

Entry-level employment may be available in medical offices, hospitals and clinics for students who do not want to pursue certification right away. Medical billing companies and health insurance companies are other options as well.

 

Study a Medical Billing and Coding Online Degree at National Career College!

We understand that choosing a school and a new career path can be a very overwhelming process. At NCC, our short-term programs in allied health will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a healthcare provider.

In addition to providing our students with career training, we offer our graduates employment assistance. At NCC you are not just a student; you are part of a community that is committed to your education, career, and success in your career objectives.

 

Learn more about Medical Office Specialist at NCC

 


Sources:

  1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-2
  2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-6
  3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-5
  4. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-3