If you’re thinking about entering the Medical Billing and Coding industry, you’ll need to know about the qualifications that are needed to keep you competitive in the job market. Like any career, Medical Coding requires the right education, as it’s a highly technical role that will rely on efficient and highly accurate data entry. However, unlike many rewarding jobs, you won’t need a full Associates’ or Bachelor’s degree to become a fully qualified medical coder. You can learn Medical Coding at an accredited school, and with 12 months of full-time study, you could be ready to start work.
Let’s take a look at the requirements and the difference between Degrees and Certifications in the Medical Coding industry.
Why Medical Billing and Coding Education Doesn’t Include a Degree
Medical Coding covers a number of highly specific tasks, and in the field, it will be your job to keep accurate records of patients and medical facilities. Although this is a technical role, it’s not one that would require long years of intensive study.
A Degree course will typically prepare you for industries that are highly varied, where a deep understanding and a number of sub-skills would be required to perform a role. Medical Coding is highly specified, so the course information can be covered in a shorter amount of time, making this an excellent pathway to get into the healthcare industry.
This does not mean that Medical Coding school requires less focus, and many students will find that a full year of training can be more intensive than a year of undergraduate Degree study. Students will need to be highly attentive, a home study will be required to become proficient and comfortable with Medical Coding, and a pre-existing understanding of anatomy and even data entry can be helpful. At the ITI Technical College, you’ll receive all of the structured lessons and support that you need to succeed, and as long as you are determined and hardworking, you could be the proud holder of a Medical Billing and Coding certification after your full year of study.
What if You Already Have a Degree?
Changing industries or moving to a different area of the healthcare industry could be a realistic career path for many people. Having a related Degree will not be detrimental to your training in Medical Coding, and could even be beneficial, depending on the Degree that you hold. Nursing Degrees and even Pharmaceutical Degrees could provide a deeper understanding of the medical terminology and environments in the industry, and these could make it easier for anyone to make the switch to Medical Coding. In some cases, related Degrees could mean that Medical Coding could be learned on the job, without the need for a certificate.
Of course, every case is unique, and most employers will be looking for a specific certification that relates to the standardized medical codes that are used in the healthcare and insurance industries today. You’ll become proficient in the two coding systems used in the U.S. when you learn Medical Coding at ITI Technical College, making you highly employable, even when compared to job applicants that hold degrees related to healthcare.
Want to Get into the Industry? Let Us Help You
Whether you have a degree and are wanting to change jobs, or if you’re a high school graduate who is looking to start a successful career path, the ITI Technical College is a great place to get Medical Coding training in Baton Rouge LA. Call us today and speak to our enrollment team about upcoming program starts, and get all of the information that you will need to get on track for an exciting, highly rewarding, and financially stable career.
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website: //iticollege.edu/disclosures/
Become a Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
More Information | Enrollment
Job Outlook for Medical Billing and Coding
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical billing and coding specialists earn an average annual salary of $40,350 and work in one of the fastest growing professions.
- The BLS also estimates that at least 27,000 new jobs will be needed in this profession by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT DOES A MEDICAL BILLER AND CODER DO?
Medical Billers and Coders are responsible for processing patient data including medical records and related insurance. In this position, you will code a patient's diagnosis and then request payment from the patient's insurance company. You will play an important role in ensuring that healthcare providers are quickly and accurately paid for the treatment they give patients.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MEDICAL BILLING AND A MEDICAL CODING?
Yes. Medical coders translate patient care into current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that the medical services provided are accurately coded. Medical billers are responsible for creating a claim based on the codes a medical coder provides. Many professionals in this area do both medical billing and medical coding.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CAREER?
Entry-level positions typically require completion of a certificate and passing one of the certification exams or an associate degree program in medical billing and coding. Additionally, medical billing and coding professionals must understand the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MEDICAL BILLER AND CODER?
In most cases, it takes between one and three years to become a medical biller and coder. Earning a medical billing and coding certification can take up to one year, while earning an associate degree can take up to three years.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CERTIFICATION EXAMS (CPC, CCA, AND CBCS)?
Obtaining a CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification implies that an individual has met competencies in the field of medical billing and coding. Certification is invaluable to the student's career goals. Students have an opportunity to make confident, informed decisions about the national certification they prefer.
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is the gold standard entry-level coding certification for physician, or professional fee, coders.
The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It is an entry-level medical coding certification across all settings--physician practices and inpatient hospital.
The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is currently an entry-level medical billing certification for physician practices. In the summer of 2021, the exam will transition to an entry-level billing and coding certification, with the inclusion of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II testing.
IS MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING A GOOD CAREER?
U.S. News & World Report ranked medical records technician (professionals that perform medical billing, medical coding or both) as #9 on its list of “25 Best Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree," #12 in “Best Health Care Support Jobs” and on the “The 100 Best Jobs” list.
Course Objectives
- Be fully prepared to pass one of the following professional certifications that
best aligns with your interest and career goals:
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Learn how the CPT Category II codes and ICD-10 codes work and how to assign them in common medical billing and coding procedures
- Gain hands-on billing experience with medical billing and coding software
- Externship Starter Kit to help you gain valuable experience in the field
- Medical Biller standalone option for those who aren’t interested in Medical Coding
Prerequisites and Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Curriculum
Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- The Respiratory System
- The Digestive System
- The Urinary System
- The Nervous System
- The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears
- The Integumentary System
- The Endocrine System
- The Reproductive System
- Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
Medical Billing and Coding
- Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
- Introduction to Health Insurance
- Managed Healthcare
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
- ICD-10-CM Coding
- CPT Coding
- HCPCS Level II Coding
- ICD-10-PCS Coding
- Pharmacology for Coders
- MIDTERM
- Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
- Insurance Claims
- Commercial Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Medicare
- Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers' Compensation
- Certification
- How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
- FINAL
Instructors
Nancy Smith
She has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.
LaTisha Cottingham
She has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a Long-Term Care establishment that is based out of Alabama. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha's field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.