Why Should I Become a Medical Billing Specialist?
A medical billing specialist is responsible for patient billing, insurance claims and other light clerical duties. They work in medical facilities with medical insurance companies to ensure that patient care is covered by their insurance policies. Not only are medical billing specialists considered to be frontline workers, but they are also in demand. As a medical billing specialist, you can make a difference in the lives in your community by helping to ensure that they receive the best coverage for their treatments, as well as by identifying potential errors in coding and payment claims. If you are looking for a career where you can make a positive difference in the lives of others, medical billing specialist may be the perfect fit for you.
What Does a Medical Billing Specialist Do?
Medical billing specialists fulfill an important role in the healthcare system. They perform daily task to ensure proper functioning of the day-to-day operations within a medical facility. As a medical billing specialist, you will compile a large amount of health information data, as well as file complete medical histories of patients that are seen at medical facilities in your community. You will also document symptoms, examination results, treatment methods, and diagnoses prescribed by the patient’s healthcare provider.
The safe gathering and storage of this information is critical to ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment to address their healthcare needs. This information must be organized, and its accuracy must be verified, prior to entering the data into a computer. In addition to these tasks, you must also process patient billing and insurance claims. If claims are denied, you will then research the reasons behind the denial and attempt to rectify the situation. When necessary, you will also assist medical staff with clerical duties, especially during busy shifts.
Are Medical Billing Specialists Frontline Workers?
Medical billing specialists play an important role in the healthcare system. Not only do they act as liaisons between the hospital system and health insurance companies, but they also streamline the entire process and ensure that billing practices remain compliant and free of error. Because they are so critical to the overall success and functioning of hospital systems, this also means that they are considered to be frontline workers. By performing their duties to the best of their abilities, they can support the nurses and doctors within the hospital so they can help and treat more patients, saving more lives in the process.
Why Become a Medical Billing Specialist?
All careers in the healthcare industry are important, but medical billing specialists fulfill a particularly important role. Following are a few of the reasons why you should consider becoming a medical billing specialist.
Make an Important Difference in the Lives of Others
Any career in which you can make a positive difference in the lives of others is always inherently rewarding. However, a career as a medical billing specialist is particularly fulfilling. By working directly with healthcare providers and insurance companies, you are helping to ensure that patients get the coverage they need for life-saving treatments, medications, surgical procedures, and follow up appointments. Not only are you helping your community receive the care they need, but you are also making sure that the medical facility you work for receives the financial compensation they need as well. This allows your employer to continue seeing patients and provide them with positive health outcomes.
Work in the Medical Field Without Working Directly with Patients
Do you find the world of medicine fascination but prefer to work behind the scenes? As a medical billing specialist, you have the opportunity to work within the medical field without working directly with patients. This allows you to improve the lives and well-being of patients without having to work directly in patient care.
Use Your Problem Solving and Research Skills
Do you enjoy problem solving and using your research skills? While most claims will get approved, some claims are denied. Sometimes there are miss-communications between the insurance company and the medical office. In these situations, you will have the opportunity to use your critical thinking and research skills to address these issues. If you enjoy solving problems and making meaningful differences in the lives of others, a career as a medical billing specialist may be the right one for you.
Enjoy Job Stability and Future Career Growth
Over the last several years, the demand for high quality healthcare and insurance coverage has increased. Because of this, those who find themselves employed in healthcare industry are enjoying enhanced job stability and the opportunity for career growth. If you are interested in a job that provides for upward mobility, a good work/life balance, and job security, you should consider becoming a medical billing specialist.
Enjoy a Sense of Independence
If you have ever worked in a position where you were micro-managed, you know how draining this type of work environment can be. Medical billing specialists enjoy a great deal of autonomy and independence, and many are able to make claim-related decisions throughout the course of their workday. If you enjoy working independently, then this might be the right career for you.
Complete a Relatively Quick Training Program
The medical industry is in need of professional medical billing specialists to provide services for doctor’s offices, hospitals, and medical facilities in your community. Because of this, training programs are created with your needs in mind. You can complete a medical billing training program in as little as 9 months, attending full-time. This allows you to gain the insight and knowledge necessary to find gainful employment quicker than someone who is enrolled in a traditional 4-year degree program.
What are the Benefits of Attending a Formal Training Program?
There are many reasons why you should consider enrolling in a formal training program. Following are a few of the most important reasons to consider when thinking about attending a formal training program to become a medical billing specialist.
Benefit #1: Meet Like-Minded Individuals
The people you will meet in a formal training program may come from different backgrounds and life situations, but they will all have one thing in common. Every student has decided to dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others by embarking on a career within the health care industry. You will meet others who share similar goals and aspirations as you and may even make a few great friends and professional contacts along the way.
Benefit #2: Develop Interpersonal and Soft Skills
To be highly effective in any workplace it is important to know how to communicate with others, as well as know how to work in a group setting. While most medical billing specialists work independently, it is still important for you to know how to communicate should the need arise. By attending a medical billing program, you will have many opportunities to put these skills to good use. Furthermore, you will also develop soft skills that can help you in various areas of your life. These skills can include leadership, responsibility, time-management, problem-solving, decision-making, flexibility, and negotiation.
Benefit #3: Enjoy a Highly Portable Career
By attending a formal education program, you will not only become proficient in the skills you need to become a medical billing specialist, but you will also enjoy a career that is highly rewarding and flexible. Many careers require a commute to and from the office every day. However, many medical billing specialists can work within their community. And attending a formal training program will make you a much more desirable job candidate and increase your likelihood of landing the perfect job that you’ve been waiting for.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about making a career change, or recently graduated high school, you may want to consider embarking on a career as a medical billing specialist. Not only will you enjoy the opportunity to work in the health care industry, but you will also work on the frontline of healthcare, helping your community along the way.
Want to Learn More?
The Medical Billing and Coding training program at Peloton College provides students vital knowledge in Medical Terminology and Understanding Health Insurance Claims and prepares students to be able to work with and maintain electronic health record systems in the health care industry. Graduates of this Medical Billing and Coding training program will also be eligible to sit for the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Certification or the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certification.
The mission of Peloton College is to be the premier provider of hands-on training and education by providing students and graduates with the necessary skills to secure occupational careers. Contact us today to learn more.
