Medical Billing & Coding Careers

The health information technology world is an essential one, and the detail-oriented professionals who work in it keep it all running smoothly and accurately.

As you consider a career in medical billing and coding or health information career, keep in mind that the job descriptions below are meant to be a general snapshot. Requirements for each of these medical billing and coding careers may vary from one employer to another, since job titles and requirements are not standardized across the wider business industry. Employment in some occupations may require years of relevant experience.

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 who have passed the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) exam and have an undergraduate degree in an IT or healthcare field.

Where You Might Work: Most certified coding specialists work in inpatient facilities like 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 part of the healthcare system, including providers, patients and insurers, as they ensure 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 Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) or CCS certification.

Where You Might Work: These professionals work in a variety of healthcare facilities and 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 a postsecondary certificate or degree in areas like health records management, healthcare delivery systems, medical terminology or healthcare law.

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 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 may need to hold an associate or 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 clerks manage office records for a hospital or clinic. They ensure the correct parties receive the correct information about a patient to guarantee the proper care is provided.

Requirements: Medical records clerk candidates should have excellent organization and analysis skills, as well as an associate degree that covers coding and data systems, anatomy, and other health related information.

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

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.

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: Many medical records technicians work in hospitals, clinics or doctors' offices.

Pursuing a career in medical billing and coding may be a good choice for several reasons, including the favorable job outlook for the occupation, the flexibility to work in several different kinds of healthcare settings, the potential for continuing professional and career development and the satisfaction that comes from supporting the delivery of quality medical care.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for medical records and health information specialists, a category that encompasses medical billing and coding professionals, is expected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 job openings each year, on average, over the decade.¹ This growth is 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 careers and not just entry-level.

The BLS attributes this job growth to a number of factors, including an aging U.S. population that requires more medical services, and the growing prevalence of chronic health conditions. As a result, more medical billing and coding professionals will be needed to translate patient information and services into the standardized codes used in insurance claims and other work, ensuring that physicians, hospitals, diagnostic facilities and others are promptly and accurately reimbursed for their services.

When people think of healthcare facilities they may think of hospitals first, but as we’ve seen in our job description breakdowns, the work environments can be varied. While many medical billers and coders do work in hospitals, many others work in doctor's offices, physical therapy clinics, nursing centers or even at insurance companies

If you're the type of person who always wants to be learning, medical billing and coding offers plenty of opportunity to grow and expand your abilities throughout your career. As part of your work in this field, you’ll need to keep up with the latest updates to medical codes and procedure changes so you can provide better care to patients.

Many people in this field also choose to pursue professional medical coding certifications so they can broaden their knowledge or prepare to pursue a wider variety of career options.

If you're interested in working in healthcare but don’t like blood, a medical billing and coding career could be a great non-clinical option. People working in medical billing and coding use their knowledge in a way that directly impacts patients and the quality of medical care without having to interact with or see blood.

Medical billers and coders may work behind the scenes in the healthcare system, but they directly impact the quality of care patients receive. By maintaining smooth billing processes, they help patients avoid frustrations after they receive treatment.

Accurately coding procedures also helps administrators determine where funding should be directed to support patients or more efficiently run their care facility. Patient information can also help policymakers and public health officials make informed decisions, or study trends in data.

After gaining experience, opportunities for advancement may present themselves. Sometimes, certain industry certifications may help you stand out as a candidate or be required for a higher-level position.

Working as a medical biller and coder may allow you to work as a freelancer (an independent contractor rather than an employee) in some cases. While this route is not for everyone, it can allow you the ability to set your own hours, rates or select what organizations you work with.

Here at DeVry, Undergraduate Medical Billing and Coding Certificate programs will introduce you to essential skills in medical data classification, health information technology, health insurance and reimbursements and procedural terminology, and prepare you to pursue industry-relevant certifications.

Choose our Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding or our Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding program. Either credential can be earned 100% online, helping you to balance your commitment to education with your busy life.

Our Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program helps students interested in working in outpatient facilities prepare to pursue the CPC exam with a preparation course built right into the curriculum. Qualifying students will also receive a voucher for one exam attempt.

This certificate can be earned in as few as 10 months when you enroll full-time, completing 3 semesters at 6-13 credit hours each with no breaks. Or follow a normal schedule and complete your program in 1 year and 2 months when you enroll full-time, completing 2 semesters at 6-13 credit hours each per 12-month period.

Another option is our Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding Certificate program, which helps students prepare to pursue inpatient roles and the CCS certification exam. Qualifying students enrolled in this program will also receive a voucher for one exam attempt.

The certificate can be earned in as little as 1 year and 2 months when you enroll full-time, completing 3 semesters at 3-13 credit hours with no breaks per 12-month period. Or follow a normal schedule and complete your program in 1 year and 6 months when you enroll full-time, completing 2 semesters at 3-13 credit hours each per 12-month period.

What’s it like to study medical billing and coding at DeVry? Check out what 2023 graduate Candie Clark has to say about our Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program, as she describes her experience with early discussions about her career path to learning on an online platform and working with DeVry’s knowledgeable professors.

DeVry can help you take your first steps toward a career in health information technology with our skills-focused online Undergraduate Certificates in Medical Billing and Coding programs.

Why study medical billing and coding with DeVry? Our programs were designed to help you learn what you need to prepare to pursue a career in this fast-paced and vital part of the healthcare industry. Our Medical Billing and Coding program was built to help you prepare to pursue the CPC certification exam and roles in outpatient care, while our Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding program is geared toward students who want to prepare to pursue the CCS certification exam or roles at inpatient facilities.

Build your career with DeVry, the university with the highest number of Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program graduates for 5 consecutive years, according to IPEDS.²

Ready to learn more? A conversation with a DeVry Admissions Representative is a good place to start.