The healthcare industry is already one of the largest industries in the United States and it's expected to keep growing over the next decade. For example, jobs in medical billing and coding will see a rise of 13% by 2026, according to a statistic by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If a career in healthcare has caught your eye, but you prefer an office environment against the more hands-on aspects of medical careers, then medical billing and coding could be the best of both worlds for you.

On the Job Duties

Medical billing and coding specialists begin the reimbursement process for the healthcare facility. Whenever any health care is provided to a patient by a health professional it must be documented in the patient's health record. Specialists assign clinical codes that represent the care and procedures administered by using classification systems like International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Aside from the tasks of coding and billing, specialists also handle administrative duties like scheduling patients, tracking their medical progress for quality assessment, and verifying insurance information.

What Has Changed with Billing and Coding

ICD-10 is the latest version of the ICD system, and includes over 69,000 new diagnosis codes. This number is 5 times more than its predecessor, ICD-9. It was implemented in the United States in 2015 and has since created a huge shift in the way medical records are updated. In hospitals, medical records are now required to be uploaded electronically in order to make records more accessible for patients, improve the quality of care and protect patient privacy. At outpatient facilities, a majority of offices use a hybrid of electronic and paper records to assist the patient.

Because of its complexity and importance, this new system requires more manpower, knowledge, and expertise. The projected job outlook is so strong because of this technological change.

What You Can Do with This Diploma

Because jobs in medical billing and coding are a necessity for any medical facility, they allow for plenty of flexibility and choice for the specialist. This means you can choose the right work environment for you; whether that be an insurance company, physician's office, or a long-term care facility.

If a flexible and rewarding career in this field seems like a good fit for you, you can enroll in the Medical Billing and Coding program at one of our YTI Career Institute campuses and complete your diploma in as little as twelve months.

Winter Term classes begin on January 25 at YTI Career Institute. For more information on how you can enroll, visit YTI.edu or call 1-800-795-0971.