Medical billing and coding bureau of labor statistics

Medical billing specialists are in high demand in Arizona and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that demand is only going to increase. With a projected employment growth rate more than double the national average across all occupations, there is no better time to begin a career in the field of medical billing.

As the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement and the American health care system becomes increasingly dependent on digital forms of data, the demand for trained medical billing specialists is rapidly increasing. The BLS projects that medical records and health information technicians, including medical billing specialists, will enjoy a job growth rate of 15% between 2014 and 2024. This is especially promising when compared to the 6.5% overall growth rate for jobs in the United States.

If you would like to be placed in a medical billing job, please fill out the form below or call us at 602-468-6300.

Medical Billing Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $41,460 with an hourly mean wage of $19.93 in 2016. Arizona was right on track with an annual mean wage of $41,030 and an hourly mean wage of $19.72. The Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale metro area was one of the areas in the United States with the highest employment level for this profession, with 4,070 people employed as Medical Records and Health Information Technicians.

What does a Medical Billing Specialist Do?

A medical billing specialist works in a doctor’s office, hospital, or healthcare facility and is responsible for assembling and reviewing all of the data concerning a bill, creating and submitting a claim based on the codes a medical coder provides, and ensuring that the billing of services is handled correctly. In this profession, you will review patient bills for accuracy and completeness and prepare and transmit claims using billing software.

To read more about what a medical billing specialist does visit: https://desmedcar.com/medical-billing-specialists-job-duties/

If you would like to be placed in a medical billing job, contact Desert Medical Careers at (602) 468-6300.

What Qualifications Are Required?

A medical biller must be familiar with medical terminology and insurance codes. Certification is not required, but it significantly increases your potential income and more and more employers are looking to hire billers who have completed a formal training program because a more knowledgeable billing specialist means increased revenue and more timely reimbursement for the facility. There are many places to get trained for a medical billing job.  We recommend going through the AAPC’s Online Course. You can complete the training in your home on your schedule.

Are You Looking for an on-site Medical Billing or Remote Medical Billing Job?

Desert Medical Careers has a high demand for medical billing and remote medical billing jobs throughout the United States. We place full-time and part-time healthcare positions. With over 20 years’ experience working with healthcare employees, DMC is an expert at matching healthcare workers with their ideal work environment. Contact DMC today at (602) 468-6300.

Resources for this article

• https://www.nyci.edu/medical-billing-coding-job-outlook/
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-1
• https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292071.htm#(2)
• http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/qnas/the-coder-is-in-demand-medical-billers-coders/
• https://desmedcar.com/medical-billing-specialists-job-duties/

If you would like to be placed in a medical billing job, contact Desert Medical Careers at (602) 468-6300.

Medical records and health information technicians work to review, record, and code patients’ medical data. They also bill insurance companies and record data for analysis or statistical purposes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these individuals earned an average salary of $38,860 per year and $18.68 per hour in 2014 (see medical coding and billing salary statistics below).

Individuals in this profession may be called by different titles, such as medical records and health information technicians, billing techs, coders, or health information technicians. In this article, you’ll learn about the job duties, certifications, likes and dislikes, and salary statistics for medical coding and billing professionals.

Here are some of the common job duties of a health information tech (medical coding and billing):

• They review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data.
• They organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries.
• They track patient outcomes for quality assessment.
• They use classification software to assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis.
• They electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting.
• They maintain confidentiality of patients’ records.

Although health information techs do not provide direct patient care, they play a very important role within the healthcare industry. They often work with other healthcare professionals such as registered nurses and doctors. In cases where a healthcare worker’s documentation is unclear, medical coders and billing professionals may have to contact them for clarification.

Thanks to the emergence of new technology and the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare laws, health information technicians will have to adapt. Technicians will need to be familiar with, or be able to learn, EHR computer software, follow EHR security and privacy practices, and analyze electronic data to improve healthcare information, as more healthcare providers and hospitals adopt EHR systems.

Health information technicians can specialize in many aspects of health information. Some work as medical coders, sometimes called coding specialists, or as cancer registrars.

Job Duties for Medical Coders:

• Review patient information for preexisting conditions, such as diabetes.
• Assign appropriate diagnoses and procedure codes for patient care, population health statistics, and billing purposes.
• Work as a liaison between the health clinician and billing offices.

Cancer Registrar Job Duties:

• Review patients’ records and pathology reports to verify completeness and accuracy.
• Assign classification codes to represent the diagnosis and treatment of cancers and benign tumors.
• Conduct annual follow-ups to track treatment, survival, and recovery.
• Compile and analyze cancer patient information for research purposes.
• Maintain facility, regional, and national databases of cancer patients.

Health Records Information Technician Education Requirements

In order to become a health records information technician, you’ll first need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Next, you’ll have to complete a certificate program or graduate from an accredited associate degree program. Certification programs generally last 6-12 months, whereas an associate degree program lasts approximately two years.

In addition, you can earn a bachelor or master’s degree, which is recommended if you want to advance to management positions such as a medical or health services manager.

Health Information Tech Certifications and Licensing

Some states require licensing for health information techs, which will require the passing of an accredited education program, as well as obtaining necessary certifications (which may vary depending on the state).

Most employers will require or prefer certification.  Certified Coding Associate (CCA) is the most common certification for coders. Other certifications include the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), which usually requires an associate degree. The Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) is a certification for those who wish to specialize as cancer registrars.

Obtaining certifications can be a great way to increase your salary and grow in your career. For more information on the different certifications available, as well as accredited programs available, visit on of the resources below:

• AHIMA.org
• AAPC.com
• CAHIIM.org

Do Medical Coders Like their Job?

Most medical coding and billing workers seem to enjoy their job. However, as with any profession, they do have their likes and dislikes.

Here’s what most health information technicians like about their job:

• Many enjoy the opportunities for advancement.
• Many report a feeling of job security.
• This is a great job for introverts or those who are not “people persons.” You may work alone in a room or even work from home.
• The pay is relatively competitive considering the low education requirements.

Here’s what most medical coders and billing workers dislike about their job:

• It can be repetitive and boring. You will have to do the same tasks repeatedly. Some people like this, and some don’t.
• It can be frustrating when a doctor or nurse has sloppy documentation habits.
• You can get eye strain or back pain from the sedentary nature of the job.
• It can be a pain to bill and contact insurance companies.

Medical Coding and Billing Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 15 percent between years 2014 to 2024. That is faster than the average growth rate for all other occupations. As of 2014, 184,740 health information techs were employed in the United States.

Medical Coding and Billing Average Salary

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Top paying states for this occupation:

Lowest paying states:

Average salary for health information technicians for all 50 states:

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Health Records and Information Technicians, on the Internet at bls.gov.