Medical Billing Job Requirements

Individuals working in the medical billing field work with health insurance companies, patients, hospital staff and medical personnel to determine the amount due from patients after medical procedures and appointments. Medical billers need to know the required medical terminology, medical forms, anatomy and coding.

Education Required

According to the website Healthcare Jobs, there are no formal or standard educational requirements for a career in medical billing. Most employers do prefer some sort of education through either an accredited vocational school or a training school. Certification for becoming a medical biller is not required, but it is recommended, and there are several different outlets that offer medical billing certificates.

Skills Required

It's essential that any prospective medical billers be proficient in medical terminology, telephone techniques, communication and time management. Customer service is vital because billers are in constant contact with patients, insurance companies and medical personnel. Computer skills are important too, and knowing basic computer information and having the ability to type at least 35 words per minute is beneficial.

Conditions

Medical billers can work from home, in office buildings or in doctor's offices. Billers will generally work 40-hour workweeks, Monday through Friday, and can either find work themselves or work for larger firms that will provide clients.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, the average hourly wage for a first-year medical biller is $12.15, and that wage will rise to $14.60 per hour after five years of experience. After 10 years of working as a medical biller, the average hourly wage rises to $15.41 per hour, and after 20 years of experience the average rises to $16.07 per hour.

Career Outlook

The health care industry is the largest industry in the U.S., which makes working as a medical biller a solid occupational choice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical billers is expected to rise 4 percent through the year 2016.