Medical records contain a wide range of information about patient symptoms, examinations, test results and reports, diagnoses, treatment plans, and outcomes. A medical coding and billing degree prepares you to process insurance claims related to those consultations, tests, and treatments. A medical coding and billing degree is usually an associate degree acquired through a one-year or two-year program at a community college, career education, or technical/vocational school. Medical coding and billing degree programs teach students how to use the diagnosis and procedure classification manuals and to use computers to assign the accurate “diagnosis-related groups” (DRGs) that determine insurance coverage and reimbursement for each doctor or hospital bill.

Because of the high demand for medical coding and billing specialists, the number of medical coding and billing degree programs is on the rise. Many career schools and colleges are developing medical coding and billing programs as a part of their allied health curriculum. Increasingly, it may be possible to get your medical coding and billing degree online.

Beyond achieving your medical billing and coding degree, you may want to become health information technician. If you graduate from a 2-year program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), you can then take an exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Many employers prefer to hire people with this designation, so you will likely increase both your job opportunities and your pay when you earn the RHIT certification.

Medical Billing & Coding Degree Related Careers

Medical coding and billing is a specialization of the health information technology field. A medical coding and billing degree trains you specifically for processing health insurance claims. Other health information technicians may do coding only, using medical classification manuals to computerize and maintain patients’ medical records. Medical coding technicians also may specialize in monitoring the nationwide cancer registry, maintaining databases, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes of cancer patients.

What’s the Job Outlook?

Employment opportunities for health information technicians specializing in medical billing and coding, is expected to grow nearly 20% between 2006 and 2016, as the demand for medical records maintenance increases along with an aging U.S. population. A 2009 study looking at higher education and earnings found that the median income for graduates with associate degrees and certificates in health-related fields was higher than that of similar graduates in 75% of all other fields.

How much does it pay?

In 2006, the median annual salary for medical billing and coding degree holders ranged from $20,000 to more than $45,260, with a median salary of $28,030.

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