Healthcare reimbursement is a growing field that requires you to be good at organizing and retrieving information. You can earn an associate's degree and qualify for a job as a healthcare reimbursement specialist. Learn about the coursework needed for this degree and facts like career outlook and certifications.
What Healthcare Reimbursement Specialist Associate's Degree Programs Are There?
Community colleges and technical schools around the U.S. offer associate's degree programs for aspiring healthcare reimbursement specialists. These programs are commonly referred to medical billing and coding, health information technology, medical records and medical reimbursement programs. Certificate programs are also offered by many schools, and you can find some programs that allow you to earn your degree online. Web-based programs allow students to complete coursework online; however, practical experiences must be completed on-site.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Levels</b></td><td> Certificate programs; associate degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Medical coding, communications, office management, medical terminology, pathology</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 8% growth (<i>for all medical records and health information technicians</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td> Various organizations certify, but it may not be necessary for a job</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>In a healthcare reimbursement specialist associate's degree program and similar programs, you learn how to use medical coding techniques to process medical documents, such as insurance and billing forms. Work on communication, typing skills and medical office management is completed. Major courses focus on medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology and pathology. Reimbursement courses discuss billing procedures, health insurance policies and medical billing laws.
</p><p>Much of your time is spent learning about coding procedures and memorizing classification systems. Many 2-year healthcare reimbursement specialists programs require you to learn in a clinical setting in addition to your classroom work. These internships or practicum experiences take you into a real medical office to observe professionals and apply your knowledge. Associate's degree programs also require general education courses.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyCareerOpportunities">What Are My Career Opportunities?</h3><p>If you earn an associate's degree in healthcare reimbursement, you can expect a favorable job market, stated the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact, the BLS predicted job growth to be at 8% from 2019-2029 for medical records and health information technicians. The median salary for these positions was reported to be $44,090 in 2020.
</p><h3 id="section---DoINeedCertification">Do I Need Certification?</h3><p>The BLS stated that certification can help you land careers, but it's not always required. There are a few credentialing agencies for healthcare reimbursement specialists. The American Health Information Management Association awards the Registered Health Information Technician credential to applicants who have an associate's degree through an accredited program in health information technology and pass a written exam.
</p><p>Additional coding associations include the American Academy of Professional Coders, the Board of Medical Specialty Coding and Compliance and the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists. You can also become a cancer medical reimbursement specialist by earning the Certified Tumor Registrar credential through the National Cancer Registrars Association.</p>
