Medical Billing and Coding professionals are becoming more and more essential in the modern professional healthcare environment. With a shift in the way medical records are being kept plus a tendency for workplaces to become ever more technologically sophisticated, there are many valid reasons to become proficient and educated in this field now.

 

Part of the U.S. government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law in 2009 mandates that all medical records be converted to an electronic format by the end of 2014. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment within the field of medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than average and that job prospects will be very good, with more than 200,000 total and more than 35,000 new positions available nationally by 2018. This represents an overall growth of 20%. According to the BLS website, the yearly median wage for a medical biller / coder is $30,610, with the highest 10% of professionals in the field earning more than $50,000 per year.

 

Medical billers and coders work independently and alongside physicians or within healthcare provider networks. They are responsible for assembling, updating and maintaining patient medical records, managing and ensuring the accuracy of healthcare data and submitting information that provides reimbursement and compensation for medical services rendered to patients. They can also specialize in specific areas such as cancer registry. For the squeamish, this field is one of the handful of healthcare-related jobs that do not involve the hands-on treatment of patients, but still plays a vital role in the patient’s overall care.

 

What can one do to prepare for the future of medical health records? How can individuals gain an advantage on securing a job within one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S.? Consider enrolling in Dade Medical College’s Associate of Science degree program in Medical Billing and Coding, which prepares individuals to become medical billing and coding specialists. Learn the about Universal Coding System, basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and more. The program’s 96 quarter credits and 1160 clock hours are spread over 60 weeks in one of four South Florida-based traditional brick and mortar campuses, or you can work at independently by enrolling in our online degree program. With a cost of only $18,050, this degree offers a high return potential on your educational investment.

 

Though licensure is not required to work in the field, it is highly recommended. Dade Medical College’s Medical Billing and Coding program does not currently have a waiting list and the next campus class session begins on March 6. Enrollment is always open for online courses and traditional class sessions begin every four weeks. Join the healthcare revolution – find out more by calling (305) 245-0026 or by logging on to DadeMedical.edu/MBC.