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Medical billing is an exciting, fast-growing career with plenty of opportunities for specializing and advancement. The medical biller is an office specialist who handles patient bills, insurance claims, and much more. Those who choose this career will work a regular 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday, with occasional overtime. Experienced medical billers may have the option of telecommuting.

A medical biller handles the paperwork for HMO's, Medicare claims, and private insurance carriers, manages copays, and makes sure all papers are filed correctly and in a timely manner. An extensive knowledge of government rules and regulations regarding these claims is essential, as is an understanding of how to deal with denied claims. Medical billers also handle past-due collections or work with an independent collection agency. In large medical environments, a medical biller can specialize in any aspect of billing.

Most medical billing courses average nine months to two years. Coursework is designed to prepare a student for a career in medical billing, and will include, among other things, medical terminology, types of insurance, claim forms, medical codes, patient and inter-office relations, and use of medical billing software. Governmental rules are covered in a study of HIPAA. This is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act established by Congress to ensure a medical office is uniform in office procedure and compliant with regulations. Certification exams give the medical biller the credentials needed for placement and advancement.

Those who are best suited for a career in medical billing are individuals who have good organizational and communication skills, workable computer knowledge, the ability to handle responsibility, and a good understanding of the importance of patient privacy. The medical biller will handle a high volume of confidential information. High ethical standards are a must.

The future of medical billing is very promising. Since the medical profession is growing steadily, and medical billers are essential to the financial success of a medical office, there is a growing need for the special skills a well-trained biller offers. With good basic training, on-the-job experience, and continuing educational opportunities, a medical biller can advance to higher positions of trust and responsibility. They can specialize, become office managers, group supervisors, or can even manage multiple offices if the facility has multiple venues. With time and dedication a biller can also start a private consulting business.

Starting wages are usually somewhere around $8 an hour or slightly higher depending on the office and location. Advancement comes as experience is gained. Well-seasoned billers can make much more than this, and will find that medical billing is a rewarding career, not just monetarily but in the knowledge that their unique skills are vital to the medical profession.

Learn more about this author, Nannie Kate.
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