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Medical Billing & Coding Careers

By DeVry University

February 21 2022

6 min read

Explore Career Opportunities in Medical Billing & Coding

Combine your love of technology, appreciation for science and desire to work in healthcare by exploring medical billing and coding careers. See how you may put IT to work in healthcare through the following medical billing and coding careers and more when you partner with DeVry University to chart your course forward.

The titles listed below are potential career pathways which may be considered by students in Medical Billing and Coding. Some of these positions may require additional qualifications, including education, certification, or experience.

Get to Know Medical Billing & Coding Careers

Medical Billing and Coding Job Opportunities and Responsibilities

Completing the medical billing and coding program at DeVry can enable you to:

    • Work with healthcare professionals to correctly identify the services and treatments a patient has received
    • Ensure that medical records correctly reflect their patients' care
    • Stay up-to-date with new coding regulations and standards
    • Submit claims to insurance companies
    • Ensure that the responsible party pays for claims
    • Manage payments and invoices

Industries That Employ Medical Billing and Coding Professionals

Our medical billing and coding program can help you prepare to pursue roles in multiple industries and healthcare settings like:

    • Physicians' offices
    • Hospitals
    • Medical billing services
    • Emergency rooms
    • Ambulatory centers
    • Insurance companies

Medical Billing and Coding Jobs & Career Opportunities1

Those who study health information and medical billing and coding may pursue careers such as:

    • Certified Coding Specialist (industry certifications may be required for this position)
    • Claims Coding Specialist (industry certifications may be required for this position)
    • Health Information Clerk
    • Medical Coding Specialist
    • Medical Records Analyst
    • Medical Records Clerk
  • Medical Records Coordinator

  • Medical Records Technician

Looking for more options? Explore additional careers in healthcare.


1Keep in mind that the requirements for these jobs may vary depending on the company you’re applying to. Job titles and requirements are not standardized across the wider business industry, so while you may meet the application requirements to be a marketing manager at one company, it doesn’t mean that you will meet those requirements at every company. Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.

Medical Billing and Coding Related Job Descriptions

Medical Billing and Coding or Health information degree programs may prepare you to pursue some of these opportunities.

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

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 Specialist

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 CPC or CCS certification.

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.

Health Information Clerk

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 Specialist

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.

Medical Records Analyst

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.

Medical Records Clerk

Medical records clerks manage office records for a hospital or clinic. They ensure that the correct parties receive the correct information about a patient to guarantee proper care is provided to the patient.

Requirements: Candidates should have excellent organization and analysis skills, as well as an associate degree in health information technology or a related field.

Where You Might Work: Most medical records clerks work in a hospital or clinic.

Medical Records Coordinator

Medical records coordinators ensure that health information is properly processed and doled out to the relevant parties for each patient. They are of a senior level and typically coordinate other employees.

Requirements: People interested in pursuing this career may find that employers prefer candidates that have at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Because this is a senior level position, a certification in medical billing and coding, such as a CCS certification may help candidates stand out.

Where You Might Work: These professionals work in healthcare offices at hospitals and clinics.

Medical Records Technician

A medical records technician works in a medical office setting as a record keeper.

Requirements: While some medical records technician positions may only require high school diploma or equivalent, having an undergraduate certificate in medical billing and coding or a related discipline can help show employers that you have established knowledge and skills in this area. Oftentimes, people in this field also have a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification.

Where You Might Work: A majority of medical records technicians work in hospitals, clinics or doctors' offices.

Career Outlook for Medical Billing and Coding Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the medical billing and coding field to grow by 8% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average growth rate for all other industries.2 If that projection holds, there could be as many as 16,500 new job openings for qualified medical billers and coders. Experts expect that this growth pattern will increase the amount of both high level and entry level medical billing and coding jobs.

2Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their career and not just entry level.

Benefits of Having a Medical Billing and Coding Job

A job in the medical billing and coding field can potentially provide numerous benefits. These include:

  • Expected industry growth

  • Clear qualifications and certification requirements

  • Task variety

  • Defined career paths

When you choose to become a medical billing and coding professional, you may be able to find a job that contains some of the above benefits. Your specific benefits will vary depending upon your job and employer.

Is a Career in Medical Billing and Coding Right for You?

If you're considering a career in medical billing and coding, review the following information to gain a better understanding of this exciting career field:

  • Job requirements

    Many jobs in this field require an undergraduate certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding, health information technology or a related field. You may be able to pursue higher-level roles with a certification or a bachelor's degree in the same field.

  • Useful job skills

    These jobs require high levels of focus and organization in addition to more concrete skills such as computer proficiency. Those who naturally excel in these areas can expect to make use of their talents to advance their career.

  • Working environment

    Medical billing and coding professionals thrive in agile workplaces with a shifting workload. Every patient requires a high degree of focus which can make the job satisfying for people who like to experience variety in their workday. Many jobs take place in offices though remote work opportunities may be available providing flexibility to job candidates within the field.

  • Booming locations

    Everyone requires some degree of healthcare, and providers need medical billers and coders to carry out their duties. Because of the nature of healthcare, high population areas tend to have the highest need for medical billing and coding professionals. In many instances, a variety of medical billing and coding jobs can be found in the largest cities in the most populous states.

When considering these items it's clear that this career field is full of exciting opportunities for both experienced professionals and entry-level job seekers. Medical billing and coding is an exciting and growing field with opportunities for dedicated and qualified professionals. With an education from DeVry, you can find the tools you need to take the next step in your journey toward becoming a medical billing and coding professional.

Education Requirements and Experience Needed for a Medical Billing and Coding Job

To pursue medical billing and coding jobs, you may need to have relevant post-secondary education. You can pursue a certificate program to help prepare you to pursue the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exams through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). These exams require demonstration of knowledge in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, billing guidelines and industry standards, and show employers that you have the skills you need to perform essential job tasks.

Credentials such as CPC, CCS, Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) must be rectified every two years. You can do so by taking formal educational programs, participating in tele-seminars, delivering presentations, publishing academic work or conducting an independent study.

Here are examples of healthcare programs that can prepare you to pursue certification exams and advance your knowledge in the healthcare field:

++Our Medical Billing and Coding program offers a built-in CPC certification exam preparation course. A second option at DeVry, the Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding program, has a built-in CCS certification exam preparation course.
+Minimum time to complete is per 12 month period, does not include breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment in 6-13 credit hours per semester
++Normal time to complete is per 12 month period, does not include breaks, assumes 2 semesters of full-time enrollment in 6-13 credit hours per semester

  • Master procedural and regulatory knowledge as you obtain technical skills needed for advanced administration roles. After successful completion of the Health Information specialization of this degree, you may choose to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam through American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

  • Learn how to implement new technologies, ensure data security and control costs in various healthcare settings. After successful completion of this degree, you may choose to sit for the Registered Health Information Associate (RHIA) exam through American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

  • Prepare to pursue a career in healthcare management by learning the political, social, cultural, economic and technical influences that shape the industry.

  • Gain the knowledge to prepare to pursue a career in healthcare policy, hospital or healthcare operations, managed care, insurance, information systems and finance.

Learn More About Medical Billing and Coding Careers

Degree Programs

1Keep in mind that the requirements for these jobs may vary depending on the company you’re applying to. Job titles and requirements are not standardized across the wider business industry, so while you may meet the application requirements to be a marketing manager at one company, it doesn’t mean that you will meet those requirements at every company. Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.

2Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their career and not just entry level.

+Minimum time to complete is per 12 month period, does not include breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment in 6-13 credit hours per semester.

++Normal time to complete is per 12 month period, does not include breaks, assumes 2 semesters of full-time enrollment in 6-13 credit hours per semester.

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