Overview Of Medical Billing and Coding Degree Program

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Do you want to work as a professional medical biller and coder? Are you also wondering what type of training you will need to get in order to achieve your dream of working in the medical billing and coding profession? Getting an associate’s or bachelor’s degree may help one establish and distinguish themselves as a professional applicant for medical billing and coding work opportunities.

If you plan to follow a profession in this particular field, it is important that you get more familiar with the medical billing and coding degree program requirements. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2012, the median wage for health information technicians was $34,160 per annum.

Medical Billing and Coding Associate’s Degree Program

For students who want to continue their education, there are schools that offer Associate’s degree programs that can be completed within a period of 18 months. Associate’s degree programs typically last for a period of 2 years and offer students with a general education curriculum that offer in-depth medical billing and coding degree information. You can enroll into a community college or career college that offers medical billing and coding program. If you want to advance your level of education later on in your career, then the credits you have earned while in college will help you towards earning a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

Medical Billing and Coding Bachelor’s Degree Program

At this level, universities and colleges offer programs in healthcare administration and health information management, which takes a period of 4 years to complete. The program provides other general education curriculum. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in medical billing and coding will provide you with much better career options and qualify one for management jobs. It is important that you are able to clearly demonstrate a great understanding of industry standard practices and codes, which is why a lot of employers prefer to hire candidates with related training and official recognition like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation.

Medical Billing and Coding Degree Program Courses

A lot of universities and colleges provide top notch medical billing and coding training on the internet and also on-campus training – although some schools offer medical billing and coding programs that students can complete in as little as ten months – courses topics include:

•Anatomy, Terminology & Healthcare Payers
•Medical Basics & Healthcare claim cycle
•Medical practice management systems & billing and coding applications (apps)
•Disease processes & ICD-9-CM coding
•Coding with simulation

Aside from learning core subjects featured in associate and bachelor’s degree programs, medical billing and coding curriculum includes more instruction in healthcare, communication, and business.

Upon completing an associate and bachelor degree program, you will be adequately prepared to take the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) examination offered by the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). Earning an associate or bachelor degree, in addition to industry certification, can actually assist in positioning you to become a highly sought after candidate for medical billing and coding position at entry levels.