How to Prepare for a Career in Medical Billing & Coding

A career as a medical billing and coding specialist allows you to work for hospitals, insurance companies and medical groups, or even work independently. Medical billing and coding professionals keep accurate records of charges to patients' accounts and bill their insurance companies. This ensures that patients are not being under or over charged for health services. There are training opportunities available both on campus and online for anyone interested in a career as a medical billing and coding specialist. This type of career is good for people who like working in a health care setting but do not want to work with patients.

Instructions

• 1

  If you do not have a high school diploma, get a GED. This is the only requirement to get into a training program. If you will be attending a community college for the program, you may be able to test out of this requirement. Some colleges allow students without a GED or diploma to take an assessment test to determine their ability to learn the material. As long as you achieve a passing grade, you are in.

• 2

  Find an accredited medical billing and coding training program in your state or online. Since there is no patient care involved, the course can be completed entirely online. Choose from a diploma, associate degree or bachelor's degree program. Students opting for the four-year bachelor's degree will be eligible to advance to the job of health records technician.

• 3

  Apply for federal financial aid. This will provide funding for the tuition, books and supplies needed for the course.

• 4

  Obtain certification as a medical billing and coding specialist. After completing the training program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders.