Medical Billing and Coding Education in Massachusetts - MA

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 15 2010

Steps to Earning Medical Billing and Coding Certification in Massachusetts

The steps to becoming a Medical Biller and Coder in Massachusetts are as follows:

1. Familiarize yourself with the day-to-day requirements of the job by talking with people in the field.
2. Research the vast opportunities and specializations to better determine job and career goals.
3. Enroll in a one to two year program for medical billing and coding certification in Massachusetts. Online Massachusetts medical billing certificate programs can be completed in as few as three to six months.
4. Complete the internship program (usually a few weeks in duration) to qualify for medical billing and coding certification in Massachusetts.
5. Pursue your career as a Medical Biller and Coder on a full-time basis with a hospital, doctor’s office, insurance firm, or billing and coding business.
6. Continue to increase your knowledge and advance your career by pursuing higher levels of certification and specialization.

There are a number of ways to pursue a career as a certified Medical Biller and Coder in the state of Massachusetts.  The more basic hands-on experience you get, the better chance you have to branch out into other specializations.  As the areas of treatment and research expand opportunities in supervising and management also open for those who have work experience in the field.

The industry profile for hiring lists hospitals as the leading employer of medical biller and coder hires.  Next in number of hires are physician offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers and other healthcare offices. 

Professional Associations for Illinois Medical Billing and Coding Specialists

AHIMA, American Health Information Management Association, offers training, exam preparation, exam, CEU (continuing education units) and other resources and benefits.  A student membership is $35 and active membership (credentialed professional) is $165.  You are automatically connected to one of 52 component state associations in your field. More details are available by contacting them at www.ahima.org 

AAPC, American Academy of Professional Coders, is a training and certification organization offering both classroom and online programs to prepare for exam and certification.  Individual membership is $120 and a student membership costs $70.  Specific details are available at www.aapc.com

Certification for coding specializations can also be obtained through these national organizations, BMSC, The Board of Medical Specialty Coding, www.medicalspecialtycoding.com  and PAHCS, The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists, www.pahcs.org  as well.  The costs involved depend on the type of exam you are applying for and whether or not they are a membership-based organization.  

It is beneficial to be a part of these organizations to keep up with all that is taking place in this fast-growing field.