Medical Billing Career Information
Medical billing is one of the fastest-growing careers in the health care industry and the need for trained billers is expected to grow through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical billers are employed by doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, collection agencies, legal offices and pharmacies. Many also work from home. Medical billers must have proficiency in a range of areas.
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Education
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Medical billers are required to have, at minimum, a high school diploma or GED. Although certification is not mandated, employers prefer to hire those who have completed training from an accredited/recognized program or school.
Required Knowledge
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Certification/degree programs cover subjects such as electronic data interchange and modifiers, medical and insurance terminology, types of insurance providers and plan, reimbursement methods, insurance claim forms, health information technology, billing management and coding systems (CPT, HCPS and ICD-9-CM).
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Function
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Medical billers maintain patient records, create invoices, submit and process claims, oversee the collection of accounts receivable and other due payments. Medical billers correspond with patients, collection agencies, insurance companies, medical service providers, clinics/hospitals and courts, which can occur when a claim is denied.
Considerations
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Billing procedures, including claim submissions, must be done in a timely fashion and in accordance with all departmental, federal, legal and insurance regulations.
Salary and Growth
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The average annual salary of a medical biller with less than a year of experience is from $24,999 to $34,723, according to PayScale, as of July 2010. Billers who are experienced or hold specialty credentials usually earn more and can advance to a managerial/executive position.
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References
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