What if I want to expand my education beyond my medical coding and
billing certification?
There are numerous certifications and degrees to develop the
necessary skills for those who are passionate about medical coding and billing.
But, the medical
field is constantly evolving, and the demands for accuracy and compliance with insurers’ rules are
mandatory for smooth RCM. Owing to this, acquiring education or certification in other medical
careers is beneficial not only for your competency but also for medical organizations because
medical practices necessitate professionals that are skilled in improving their practice’s accuracy,
proficiency, and revenue. In terms of advancing one’s career, this article will dive into details of
several other professional alternatives available if you are considering whether there are any
additional choices than the conventional medical coders and billers.
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certificate is among the most renowned career
designations one may obtain with a background in medical billing and coding. As part of their tasks,
RHITs:
- Utilize computer programs to gather and evaluate patient information to enhance patient
healthcare or reduce expenses.
- Validate the correctness, precision, and appropriate input of medical and health information
into computer software to guarantee excellence.
- Specialize in coding procedures using ICD-10 to reimburse.
RHITs not only serve in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes but are
also found in firms that utilize patient data, such as pharmaceutical companies, insurance
companies, etc.
Eligibility requirements
To take the RHIT test, the participant is supposed to meet one of the following requirements:
- Graduate from a Health Information Management program that has been approved by an international
organization with which AHIMA has reciprocity agreements.
- Fulfill the academic criteria for an HIM program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
for Health Informatics and Information Management Education at the associate degree level.
When reviewing medical records
Medical coders may have to review a patient’s medical records to ensure that all necessary
information is included and accurately coded. This may involve asking the patient questions about
their medical history or treatment. It may also include their personal information such as their
name, number, date of birth, address, etc.
Salary
May 2021 saw a median yearly salary of $55,560 for medical registrars and health information
technicians (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The pay may vary according to the person’s
capability, location, and experience.
Bachelor of science in health information management
Individuals with a Health Information Technology degree or an official RHIT certification prefer to
pursue this degree. Practitioners in health information management are skillful and crucial to the
day-to-day administration of EHR and health information.
Role of a health information manager
- According to the AHIMA committee on professional development, HIM professionals are in charge of
enhancing healthcare quality by ensuring that the most accurate data is provided for making any
healthcare decision.
- According to Health Information careers, the utmost levels of data quality, privacy, and safety
are maintained by an organization where the staff has HIM specialists because they ensure that
the firm has appropriate information when and where it is required.
- They frequently perform linking roles connecting administrative, operational, and clinical
tasks.
Salary
According to Payscale, HIM (health information manager) make an average income of $61,559 annually.
Bachelor of science in health information management
Individuals with a Health Information Technology degree or an official RHIT certification prefer to
pursue this degree. Practitioners in health information management are skillful and crucial to the
day-to-day administration of EHR and health information.
Role of a health information manager
- According to the AHIMA committee on professional development, HIM professionals are in charge of
enhancing healthcare quality by ensuring that the most accurate data is provided for making any
healthcare decision.
- According to Health Information careers, the utmost levels of data quality, privacy, and safety
are maintained by an organization where the staff has HIM specialists because they ensure that
the firm has appropriate information when and where it is required.
- They frequently perform linking roles connecting administrative, operational, and clinical
tasks.
Salary
According to Payscale, HIM (health information manager) make an average income of $61,559 annually.
Cancer Registrar
The National Cancer Registrars Association states that a “cancer registrar is data and information
expert who registers full medical history, diagnosis, course of treatment, and current health status
of every cancer patient.” These records are used by healthcare agencies, researchers, and doctors to
find appropriate cancer treatments.
CTR Certification
To become a Cancer registrar, CTR certification must be earned by the National Cancer Registrars
Association. By achieving this certificate, one may show they have the skills and information
necessary to work as an expert in the cancer registry field.
To begin working as a cancer registrar:
- A candidate has to complete NCRA-accredited training. During this course, you will study medical
terminology, coding, computer skills, human anatomy, and more.
- Get an associate’s degree in cancer registry management, complete a clinical practicum.
- Receive an associate’s degree with two semesters of anatomy and physiology, 1,950 hours of
cancer registry work experience
When you complete the NCRA training, you have to get CTR certification to be titled as a certified
tumor/cancer registrar, and then you are eligible to find jobs for this seat.
A Medical Auditing Specialist
You can gain job advancement with the Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) certificate. A
CPMA is skilled in showing proficiency in the:
- Collecting medical records and identifying missing paperwork
- Detecting false claims
- Medical record auditing skills and abstraction Ability
- Coding concepts to boost the organization facing obligations from the government or insurance
companies
- Scope and statistical sampling techniques
- Sharing of findings and results
- Risk analysis for coding and quality assurance
The CPMA Exam
The CPMA exam is an open code book exam with 100 Multiple Choice Questions that a candidate must
attempt within 4 hours.
- Coding and reimbursement concepts
- Medical record standards and documentation guidelines
- Category risk analysis and communication
- Coding and documentation compliance guidelines
- Medical record auditing abstraction
- Scope and statistical sampling methodologies
Medical Auditing Specialist Salary
They help health practitioners obtain enough payment for the patient care they offer. As a result,
According to the AAPC survey, CPMAs are well rewarded, taking home an average of $70,320 yearly
(2022 Medical Coding and Billing Salary Report).
The clinical Data Specialist
The job duties of a clinical data specialist include the following:
- Evaluation of information from clinical trials and research studies
- Ensuring that computer-generated information is accurate
- Checking data entry
- Spotting data patterns
- Determining areas for improvement
- Ensuring that patient data collection adheres to the billing and coding criteria set out by the
healthcare sector
Required Qualification
A bachelor’s degree in data science analytics or a closely related discipline, along with expertise
in electronic data capture (EDC) technologies, is required for this job.
Pay
In May 2021, the average salary for specialists in health records was $46,660, but it may vary
depending on the education, skills, experience, and location.
A medical transcriptionist
A medical transcriptionist converts the voice-recorded report of physicians into formal, official,
and easily readable reports because they can comprehend medical abbreviations and languages and
amend medical paperwork and patient discharge report.
Duties and responsibilities of a medical transcriptionist
- Correctly transcribes and rectifies any inaccuracies in patient’s data or report
- Transcription of patient data, including name, DOB, insurance number, and medical record
- Keeps track of the transcriptions
- Follows up on the prescriptions of doctors and promptly sends back reports
- Examines dictionaries and sources for medical terminology
Medical transcriptionist requirements
- Education: Earn a school diploma or GED. An associate degree specializing in
medical transcribing is one of the acceptable levels of accreditation. This typically requires
two years to accomplish and covers a comprehensive review of medical vocabulary, anatomy, and
transcribing methods.
- Certification: Medical transcriptionists must hold a medical transcription
certificate to be employed in several countries. Two crucial medical transcriptionist
certificates are provided by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI):
- Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) certification is for those
transcribers who are fresh graduates with less than two years of experience.
- Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) certification is for those with more
than two years of expertise.
- Skills:
- Typing skills
- Writing skills
- Computer skills
- Medical knowledge
- Good listening skills
- Attentiveness, focus
Salary
According to the BLS, the median yearly salary for medical transcriptionists is between $27,810 and
$42,690 (U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS).
