Learn more about obtaining an online certificate in medical billing. Find information on courses, skills, career outlook, and salary info. View popular medical billing schools that prepare students for careers in medical billing and coding.
Program Overview
The curriculum within an online medical billing certificate may include an externship alongside several courses, which students may be able to complete in six months to a year. Students may learn the basics of medical billing and coding as well as specific medical terminology. These courses may cover different types of medical codes depending upon in-patient and outpatient settings. Students may also spend time learning the administrative functions and medical office management. Select programs may provide students with the skills and training needed to sit for national certification exams offered by the American Medical Billing Association, the American Health Information Management Association, and the American Academy of Professional Coders. Popular courses found within an online medical billing certificate program may include the following:
- Medical Billing
- Medical Terminology for Billers and Coders
- Hospital-Based Course Studies
- Medical Billing Software
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Insurance and Billing
- Reimbursement Methodologies
Skills Required
Individuals who seek careers as medical records and health information technicians should possess several important skills that may help them succeed at their job. They should be thorough in completing their tasks with little or no supervision and use logic to problem solve.
Those who work in medical coding and billing should also know how to use specific computer software programs geared toward their line of work as well as computer systems used by their employer. In addition to technical skills, individuals may need to have strong communication skills when working with physicians and financial personnel. Skills that may benefit those who work in medical billing may include the following:
- Analytical
- Dependable
- Detail Oriented
- Flexible
- Independent
Career Outlook & Salary Info
Graduates of online medical billing certificates may find career opportunities in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and the government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as medical records and health information technicians are expected to increase by 21% from 2010-2020. In addition, the BLS reports that the median annual wage of these individuals was $34,160 as of 2012, with an hourly rate of $16.42.