How to Become a Medical Reimbursement Specialist

Reading and understanding medical records is an integral part of the job.

A medical reimbursement specialist is trained to collect money from insurance companies to pay doctors and protect patients from unnecessary debt. Medical reimbursement specialists need to understand the terminology and methodology used by the medical and insurance industries. As a medical reimbursement specialist, you may work for doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance agencies or government entities involved with health care. Although this is mainly a technical profession your main job will always be to help the patient get his bills paid.

Instructions

1. Visit local community colleges, universities and medical trade schools to compare medical records technology degree programs. Ask the representative from each institution if the courses offered are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. Choose an accredited program that best serves your professional and personal needs.

2. Enroll in the medical records technology associate degree program. Take classes in medical coding, physiology, anatomy, and health care reimbursement methods. Complete all of these classes along with any other courses the college requires to obtain your associate degree.

3. Sign up for the certification exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Review all of the course materials from your college classes to prepare for the exam. Show up at the testing facility well rested. Pass the exam to earn your certification.

4. Apply for employment with doctor's offices, clinics and other health care facilities. Insurance companies and various federal, state and local offices require the services of healthcare reimbursement specialists as well. Apply for all positions for which you are qualified.

5. Brush up on your knowledge and get plenty of sleep throughout the application process. Be ready to answer professional and personal questions at each interview. Answer honestly, quickly and competently to get the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Other agencies offer medical coding specialist certification. Contact the American Academy of Professional Coders, the Professional Association of Health Care Coding Specialists and the Board of Medical Specialty Coding for more options when seeking certification.

References

• Education Portal; How to Become a Healthcare Reimbursement Specialist; EducationPortal.com; 2011