Medical billing is a complex profession that requires a great deal of specialized knowledge and experience. As such, medical billers typically hold an associate's degree from a two-year college, in addition to extensive on-the-job training. Medical billing students take classes either in a campus setting, which which gives the advantage of hands-on classroom experience, or online, which provides the convenience of learning from home on one's own schedule. (See schools near you)

Billing & Coding Curriculum

Classes in a medical billing program generally include an overview of medical topics and software used in the billing industry. Students who've already taken courses in math, biology, chemistry, health and computer science should be well-prepared for the course of study.

Typical subjects taken by medical billing students include:

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Statistics
• Types of health insurance
  
• Data coding
• Database management
• Quality improvement
• Computer science
• Medicare overview
• Billing cycles
  
• Legal issues with billing and insurance
  
• Medical transcription

You can get specific information about medical billing and coding schools in your area by using our school map or by doing a zip code search, then requesting program information from the schools of your choice.

Medical Billing Certification

Once you've earned an associate degree in medical billing, you may want to consider becoming voluntarily certified by a medical billing association.

Certification is further evidence to a potential employer that you are qualified for the job, thus increasing your odds of being hired. The American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) offers the designation Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS), while the Medical Association of Billers (MAB) offers the Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS). The National Electronic Billers Alliance (NEBA) offers the designation of Certified Health Reimbursement Specialist (CHRS).

There are many more medical coder certifications available, and since the two positions are so close (and are often handled by the same person), coder certifications are a useful option for medical billers. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers several designations, including Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), which is the designation most employers prefer. To be eligible for this designation, medical coders must have graduated from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Also available from AHIMA are the designations of Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) for medical coders who meet the criteria.

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers the designation Certified Professional Coder (CPC), as well as the Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC) designation for coders who specialize in radiology coding. Technicians who choose to pursue the cancer registry specialization can become certified through formal two-year certificate programs approved by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).

(Request school info now)