Herzing University Online

Medical Billing and Coding Certificates

For those looking to further their education in the field of Medical Billing and Insurance Coding, various options are offered by the Herzing University Online. Each program combines the core courses necessary for successful entry into the field with additional courses dependent on the level of education sought by the student.

Medical Billing and Insurance Coding Diploma

Students wishing to pursue entry-level employment in the area of Medical Billing and Insurance Coding will be well-served by this Diploma program which includes only the core courses necessary. It will take you about 12 to 18 months to complete the 45 credit program. Graduates of the Diploma program will be prepared to seek career opportunities as Medical Coders, Medical Billing Specialists, and Insurance Claims Analysts.

Those in the Medical Billing and Insurance Coding field play an intricate role in today's health care industry. The demand for trained Medical Billing and Insurance Coding professionals is increasing as health care provides change over from paper formats to computerized files for patient records and billing. Their professional work ensures that both insurance companies and patients are properly billed for the health care they receive. When dealing with medically related lawsuits, doctor's offices, hospitals, insurance companies, other health care providers and law firms employ Medical Billing and Insurance Coding specialists.

Medical Billing and Insurance Coding are actually two separate career paths which are often referred to collectively as a single occupation. Although some employers put all the jobs together into one position, bigger institutions such as hospitals hire separate individuals for each department.

What is involved in Medical Billing?

It is the job of the medical billing specialists to ensure that health care providers are accurately reimbursed. To ensure that health care professionals are properly compensated, medical billing specialists type information into a medical billing computer system relating to the work completed by the health care professionals. They are also responsible for performing duties such as preparing statements for mailing, working with patients and insurance companies to ensure timely payment, and running reports to determine which accounts have been paid and which are past due. Those seeking a career in this field will need to understand medical terminology and anatomy, be able to read coding language and possess strong communication and social skills.

What is Insurance Coding?

Every medical procedure or diagnosis has to be given a code in order that proper payment is made to the medical provider - this includes everything from triple-bipass surgery to a headache. It is the duty of the medical coder to give the proper code to each procedure. The coder may have to research which code needs to be used, and decide if several procedures can be included into a single code in order to accomplish this task. A coding specialist must notice any irregularity in the documentation on the patient's chart and consequently should be very well learned about the aspects of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and how to treat disease. A successful career in Insurance Coding also requires a thorough understanding of coding languages, exceptional attention to detail, good organizational skills, problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities necessary for the analysis of data, and self-direction.

Or you may choose medical coding or billing as your career chice. The ability to analyze data, work independently, and attend to detail, all with good organizational skills, are among the characteristics required for insurance coders. Insurance coders contact insurance companies and patients, and assist in dealing with the billing process. Individuals in this career field find that they have incredible staying power in their jobs, have plenty of room for advancement, and are backed up by a wonderful benefits package.

For those looking to further their education in the field of Medical Billing and Insurance Coding, various options are offered by the Herzing University Online. Each program combines the core courses necessary for successful entry into the field with additional courses dependent on the level of education sought by the student.

Medical Billing and Insurance Coding Diploma

Students wishing to pursue entry-level employment in the area of Medical Billing and Insurance Coding will be well-served by this Diploma program which includes only the core courses necessary. It will take you about 12 to 18 months to complete the 45 credit program. Graduates of the Diploma program will be prepared to seek career opportunities as Medical Coders, Medical Billing Specialists, and Insurance Claims Analysts.

Those in the Medical Billing and Insurance Coding field play an intricate role in today's health care industry. The demand for trained Medical Billing and Insurance Coding professionals is increasing as health care provides change over from paper formats to computerized files for patient records and billing. Their professional work ensures that both insurance companies and patients are properly billed for the health care they receive. When dealing with medically related lawsuits, doctor's offices, hospitals, insurance companies, other health care providers and law firms employ Medical Billing and Insurance Coding specialists.

Medical Billing and Insurance Coding are actually two separate career paths which are often referred to collectively as a single occupation. Although some employers put all the jobs together into one position, bigger institutions such as hospitals hire separate individuals for each department.

What is involved in Medical Billing?

It is the job of the medical billing specialists to ensure that health care providers are accurately reimbursed. To ensure that health care professionals are properly compensated, medical billing specialists type information into a medical billing computer system relating to the work completed by the health care professionals. They are also responsible for performing duties such as preparing statements for mailing, working with patients and insurance companies to ensure timely payment, and running reports to determine which accounts have been paid and which are past due. Those seeking a career in this field will need to understand medical terminology and anatomy, be able to read coding language and possess strong communication and social skills.

What is Insurance Coding?

Every medical procedure or diagnosis has to be given a code in order that proper payment is made to the medical provider - this includes everything from triple-bipass surgery to a headache. It is the duty of the medical coder to give the proper code to each procedure. The coder may have to research which code needs to be used, and decide if several procedures can be included into a single code in order to accomplish this task. A coding specialist must notice any irregularity in the documentation on the patient's chart and consequently should be very well learned about the aspects of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and how to treat disease. A successful career in Insurance Coding also requires a thorough understanding of coding languages, exceptional attention to detail, good organizational skills, problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities necessary for the analysis of data, and self-direction.

Or you may choose medical coding or billing as your career chice. The ability to analyze data, work independently, and attend to detail, all with good organizational skills, are among the characteristics required for insurance coders. Insurance coders contact insurance companies and patients, and assist in dealing with the billing process. Individuals in this career field find that they have incredible staying power in their jobs, have plenty of room for advancement, and are backed up by a wonderful benefits package.

Health Information Management (HIM)

Health Information Management HIM professionals do work as experts in the field of medical coding, billing, and handling and security of patients' records. Increasingly, an aptitude for computer technology, including systems and security techniques, is required of health information personnel as the health care industry is electronically integrating its patient information. Health Information Managers should have strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills when they keep on leading the insurance coding and billing departments of larger facilities.

What is meant by Health Information Management?

The overseeing of all patient data a facility holds is called Health Information Management. The managerial responsibilities are two-pronged, namely: securing the safe storage of paper and electronic data and the enforcement of relevant federal, state and institutional guidelines and regulations. The organization president or CEO manages directly one or more departments that work with patient records, such as the medical billing and insurance coding departments, and reports.

Health Information Management - Is this program for you?

A professional in Health Information Management must possess sharpened skills, if not expertise, in three aspects, namely: medical coding and billing, computer information systems and business management, all of which requires an aptitude in and appreciation of technology and of the medical and computer sciences.

Students who pursue a management career will develop their skills in communication, management and overall understanding of the many components of a successful business enterprise.

Health Care Management

Professional administrators with degrees in Health Care Management are key to a high organizational scorecard of facilities entrusted with patient care in the health care industry. The administrator's skills must include astute knowledge of the health care industry, business acumen and understanding of the medical law and ethics as well as federal laws. With the global technological revolution in mind, managers in the health care sector have to be tech-savvy and learned in order to be able to navigate through the constantly changing modalities in the health care industry.

How will you know if Healthcare Management can be your lifelong career?

A job in Health Care Management/Administration is perfect for the person who wants to use their business expertise in the health care market. Administrators and managers in the health care industry are expected to be adept at multi-tasking, having taken related courses in business management and health care administration. A HIM professional is responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment and they must have the ability to analyze and understand numerical data. With probably legions of employees under their command, they must be adept in people skills, including the necessary tact, leadership and communication strategies. A health care administrator is expected to employ excellent decision making techniques and leadership which is important for him to interact with and motivate a large workforce. Health care managers as executives would have to withstand the rigors at work, seeing through the final stages of special projects and staying late in order to respond to emergencies and crises.

Medical Office Administration

Herzing University Online is an accredited institution affiliated with Herzing University's physical campuses. Students at Herzing University Online can earn diplomas, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees in one of 30 different programs. Attending Herzing University Online provides students with the flexibility to learn from home, on their own schedules, which makes it ideally suited for students with time constraints or adult students who are also working full-time jobs.

The Herzing University Online curricula is broken down into five programs of study: Technology, Business, Health Care, Design, and Public Safety. Each area of study is further divided into various areas of concentration, such as accounting, entrepreneurial studies, software engineering, medical assisting, graphic design, criminal justice, or marketing. Some of these programs are available in multiple formats; for example, associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees, while others offer only one degree option.

For graduate students, Herzing University Online offers an MBA program. Students can earn an MBA in Business Management, Health Care Management, or Technology Management. Prospective students should consult Herzing University Online for specific graduate admissions requirements, or students may also take advantage of an undergraduate dual enrollment to begin the MBA program during their undergraduate studies.

Herzing University Online operates on a ""Students First"" philosophy, and provides admissions counseling to ensure that students get the right program and career path to meet their educational and career goals. Herzing University Online advisors can help students select the right program, and inform them of any industry certifications that may be required in their new careers.

Students who are interested in a Herzing University Online education are encouraged to contact an admissions advisor for a detailed discussion of available programs and educational goals. Undergraduate and graduate admissions vary, so prospective students should consult their program to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.

Herzing University Online is an accredited institution affiliated with Herzing University's physical campuses. Students at Herzing University Online can earn diplomas, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees in one of 30 different programs. Attending Herzing University Online provides students with the flexibility to learn from home, on their own schedules, which makes it ideally suited for students with time constraints or adult students who are also working full-time jobs.

The Herzing University Online curricula is broken down into five programs of study: Technology, Business, Health Care, Design, and Public Safety. Each area of study is further divided into various areas of concentration, such as accounting, entrepreneurial studies, software engineering, medical assisting, graphic design, criminal justice, or marketing. Some of these programs are available in multiple formats; for example, associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees, while others offer only one degree option.

For graduate students, Herzing University Online offers an MBA program. Students can earn an MBA in Business Management, Health Care Management, or Technology Management. Prospective students should consult Herzing University Online for specific graduate admissions requirements, or students may also take advantage of an undergraduate dual enrollment to begin the MBA program during their undergraduate studies.

Herzing University Online operates on a ""Students First"" philosophy, and provides admissions counseling to ensure that students get the right program and career path to meet their educational and career goals. Herzing University Online advisors can help students select the right program, and inform them of any industry certifications that may be required in their new careers.

Students who are interested in a Herzing University Online education are encouraged to contact an admissions advisor for a detailed discussion of available programs and educational goals. Undergraduate and graduate admissions vary, so prospective students should consult their program to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.

List of education programs offered by Herzing University Online