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When you are sick, you don't care how your doctor gets paid-all you care about is getting better. Lucky for you, someone does-your medical billing and coding specialist. If you are like the majority of Americans, you pay your co-pay, take your receipt and go on your way. But long after the doctor, nurses and pharmacists have all done their jobs, the medical billing specialist's job is just beginning.

Once a patient has been treated, it is up to the billing specialist to file the appropriate paperwork with their insurance provider. Using the right codes ensures that the insurance company (not you) realizes its responsibility to pay the remainder of the physician's bill. Put in the wrong code, and you are likely to have your claim denied!

Most medical billing programs are offered over a 9-12 month course and as a graduate you may handle health insurance claim forms, medical documentation, billing, or even electronic data entry. Even government programs require medical billing and coding specialists and there is truly no shortage to where your services will be needed.

All across the country, doctor's offices, dentists' offices, hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation clinics require the skills of certified medical billing and coding specialists. They are in such demand, that the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects it to grow faster than any other occupation through 2014, due to increasing federal legislation and paperwork filing by hospitals, insurance companies and courts. Add to that, the growing number of baby boomers hitting retirement age and you have a career that is in hot demand.

Medical billing and coding experts will not only be in hot demand, but they will also have the luxury of choosing their work setting. Do you prefer to work in a hospital? Or maybe a doctor's office? Or even better, would you like to work from the comfort of your own home? That's right! Medical billing and coding experts are able to work from home and still make on average $30,000- $40,000/year!

Once you have worked in a clinical setting for a few years, you may be able to start your own home-based business. Doctor's offices often hire independent billing consultants to do their coding due to decreasing office space and downsizing. If you are an independent contractor you can work as little or as much as you want, depending on the size of the client load, and you can name your hours.

Are you looking for a rewarding, flexible, and high paying job that is virtually recession proof? If that sounds good, medical coding and billing may be just what you have been looking for. Won't it be nice to be in demand for a change?

Learn more about this author, Bonnie Ferrar.
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