Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Michigan

Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Michigan - MI

The Michigan Health and Hospital Association names health care as Michigan's top industry, and medical billing and coding specialists are an integral part of that industry. Medical billing and coding specialists are considered a subcategory of medical records and health information technicians by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) and are responsible for organizing and managing health care data. They make use of various classifications to categorize patient information, thus helping ensure accuracy, quality, accessibility and security of medical records. They also provide vital information for insurance reimbursement purposes.

Degree programs at medical billing and coding schools in Michigan

Several Michigan schools offer medical billing and coding courses or programs. In most cases, medical billing and coding specialists must earn a postsecondary certificate to qualify for entry level work, but some might choose to earn an associate degree. Some schools also offer a bachelor's degree in health informatics and health information management. A list of medical billing and coding programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) can be found at CAHIIM.org.

Certificate and degree programs typically require education in the following topics:

  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Classification and coding systems
  • Healthcare reimbursement
  • Other related courses, such as statistics or computer systems

Training in the legal issues surrounding medical records, including HIPPA laws, is usually also an important aspect of these programs.

Though certification is not required in Michigan, most employers prefer to hire those who have earned it, according to the BLS. Several national organizations offer medical billing and coding certification for those who qualify. According to the BLS, one of the most common certifications include the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Certification might require passing an exam and coding experience.

Specialized coding certification from American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) includes:

  • Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
  • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
  • Certified Coding Specialist-Physician based (CCS-P)

Specialized billing certification from the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) includes:

  • Certified Medical Biller (CMB)
  • Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS)
  • Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

Medical billing and coding career overview

According to the BLS, growth of medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow by 22 percent nationwide between 2012 and 2022, driven in part by an aging population and the move to electronic health records. In Michigan, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow by approximately 11 percent through 2020, according to Projections Central.

The BLS reports a mean annual wage of $37,710 for medical records and health information technicians nationwide as of May 2013, while those in Michigan earned $37,340. The majority of medical billing and coding specialists work in hospitals, though some work in the offices of physicians, nursing and residential care facilities, and for the government.

Sources:

CAHIIM, http://www.cahiim.org/index.html

"Health care industry is Michigan's biggest employer," Jackie Headapohl, February 28, 2011, mLIVE.com, http://www.mlive.com/jobs/index.ssf/2011/02/health_care_industry_is_michigans_bigges.html

Medical Coding Education, Davenport University, http://www.davenport.edu/ipex/healthcare-skills-certifications/medical-coding-education

Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Delta College, http://www.delta.edu/lifelonglearningcontent/career-training/health/medicalinsurancebillingandcoding.aspx#.UzLQfIXYg9Y

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2013, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292071.htm

Michigan, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/2013/may/oes_mi.htm

Michigan, Projections Central, http://projectionscentral.com/Projections/AboutLT

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