Health Information and Medical Billing & Coding Careers

A certified coding specialist classifies medical data from patient records to ensure efficiency and proper billing.

Requirements: In most instances, employers prefer certified coding specialist candidates that have passed the CCS exam and have an undergraduate degree in an IT or healthcare field.

Where You Might Work: Most certified coding specialists work in hospitals, though some are employed by physicians' offices and other healthcare providers.

Claims coding specialists focus on managing billing claims to the proper party. Their function is critical to every party in the healthcare process, provider, patient and insurer, as they ensure that claims are properly submitted and billed on time.

Requirements: Claims coding specialists often have more than a year of experience working in the medical billing and coding field, an undergraduate degree in an IT or healthcare field, and a CCA or CCS certificate.

Where You Might Work: These professionals work in a variety of healthcare provider locations such as hospitals and physicians' offices, and may also work directly for an insurance company.

Also known as health information management clerks or HIMs, a health information clerk organizes and maintains medical records for their employer.

Requirements: These professionals have a health information and technology background, and excellent data entry, computer and organization skills. Most HIM jobs typically require an associate degree, and prefer candidates with a degree in health information technology. A certificate is not required to become a health information clerk but having one may help you stand out in competitive job listings.

Where You Might Work: Most health information clerks work at a healthcare provider's office at a hospital or clinic. A smaller percentage of health information clerks work at insurance companies.

Medical coding specialists apply proper codes to medical procedures provided to a patient during their visit to a hospital or doctor's office. They code the services, diagnoses, treatments and procedures received by a patient, track payments and correct rejected claims.

Requirements: Many employers require medical coding specialists to have at least a certified professional coder (CPC) certification and an associate degree in health information technology from an accredited college or professional school.

Where You Might Work: Most people with this title work at the office of a healthcare provider, such as a hospital or doctor's office.

A medical records analyst manages, analyzes and organizes healthcare records. They use this information to improve the efficiency of the provider and work to develop ways to better share information between parties in the healthcare process.

Requirements: To become a medical records analyst, you will likely need to possess a bachelor's degree in health information technology or a related field. Candidates are preferred to have some level of prior experience in the field at an insurance company or healthcare provider office.

Where You Might Work: Medical records analysts tend to work for a healthcare provider at their office. Some are employed by insurance companies.