The healthcare industry has been one of the most expansive fields today. According to the April 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the healthcare field has grown an average of 28,000 jobs per month over the last 12 months. One of the best online degrees you can get in the healthcare field is medical billing. An accredited degree program could prepare you to work at a dedicated medical billing office, a hospital or a doctor’s office. There are several top online degree programs that you can access on the Internet, and receiving an associate or bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in medical billing from one of several accredited colleges or universities will help you build a secure future.
Featured Top Medical Billing Programs
1. Ultimate Medical Academy – AS in Medical Billing and Coding
2. Grantham University – AAS – Medical Coding and Billing
3. U.S. Career Institute – Medical Coding and Billing Specialist Certificate
Preparing to Get a Degree in Medical Billing
To prepare yourself to attend an accredited college or university for medical billing, you should have a GED or high school diploma. Skills in typing, data processing, various software packages and general math will also help you in your program. An accredited, online school is your best choice if you currently work and need a flexible schedule or if your family or other activities require your time. Through an online school, you can obtain a degree or certificate usually within one or two years of study. Upon completion of your program, you should plan on taking the Certified Medical Billing Specialist Exam in order to place yourself above the competition.
Online Undergraduate Degrees in Medical Billing
The best online undergraduate degree programs in medical billing include courses on medical terminology; how to fill out insurance claims; how to bill insurance companies; how fill out patient records on the computer; medical coding; anatomy and physiology; and the law and ethics of medicine.
An online bachelor’s degree will give you a major in business management and accounting or business management and technology with a concentration in medical billing and coding. This will prepare you to take the Certified Medical Billing Specialist Exam. While you have the option to obtain a BS in Medical Billing, you can complete your online degree in medical billing at the associate degree level in two years or less. If you opt for the associate degree, it will be more difficult to move on to the master’s level.
Online Masters in Medical Billing Degree Programs
A Master’s degree in medical billing does not exist; however, there is a master’s degree program in health information management. To qualify, you would need a B.S. in healthcare management or business management with a concentration in medical billing and coding. The best online master’s degree programs in healthcare management would offer you courses in human resources management, electronic health records and management principles, among others. An MS degree in healthcare management would allow you to take your medical billing experience to a whole new level and may double your salary.
Choosing the Best Online Medical Billing Degree
In order to select one of the best online degrees in medical billing, be sure you select a good school that has gotten excellent online reviews and offers good student support. Also, select a reputable online school that has medical billing degree rankings in the USA. Obtaining a certificate or associate or B.S. degree in medical billing is one of the best decisions you could make. It is a career with a great future, and with these tips, you’re sure to make a good choice in your online college or university.