Medical Auditor: Job Description, Salary & Training
Medical auditors play a vital role in providing quality healthcare and improving the sustainability of a healthcare facility by ensuring correct clinical documentation in the healthcare system. Learn about the requirements, salary and training required to decide if this career could be the perfect fit for you.
Career at a Glance
Medical auditing is beginning to become an increasingly popular career choice. Medical auditors carry out audits of a healthcare facility and draw attention to areas of weakness, such as issues with efficiency, delivery of care and finances, to prevent litigation. The table below provides a brief overview of the key details you need to know about pursuing this career, such as the education required, the salary and the career outlook.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Postsecondary certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Health information</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Certification and Licensure</b></td><td> Certification required by some states; preferred by employers</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2021)</b> </td><td> $58,971 (medical auditor)**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 9% (medical records and health information specialists)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) **Payscale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoMedicalAuditorsDo">What Do Medical Auditors Do?</h3><p>Medical auditors check the work of medical coders and billers. A medical auditor identifies incomplete documentation that could affect a healthcare facility's livelihood by examining the coding procedures and ensuring the organization complies with regulatory requirements. A medical auditor would be expected to identify fraudulent claims, outliers, reimbursement deficiencies, inefficiencies, incorrect codes and poor documentation to improve the organization being challenged by the government or insurance companies. They also provide education to other healthcare professionals regarding correct documentation and detailed recommendations to improve the organizations procedures and policies.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIBecomeAMedicalAuditor">How Do I Become a Medical Auditor?</h3><p>You will need at least an associate's degree in health information or a similar field, where you will learn critical coding concepts and medical record auditing skills. Certification as a professional medical auditor is required by some states. You will need to check with individual states to learn if certification is optional. Additionally, most employers prefer that applicants possess certification. Certification is obtained from passing the Certified Professional Medical Auditor exam.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAMedicalAuditorEarn">How Much Does a Medical Auditor Earn?</h3><p>According to <i>Payscale.com,</i> a medical auditor could expect a median salary of $58,971 a year as of 2021. Those working in hospitals, scientific services and technical services earn the most while those working in physicians' offices earned the least. Based on national occupation data compiled by the BLS, medical records and health information professionals, including medical auditors, had a median salary of $45,240 as of May 2020.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSkillsAndAttributesDoINeedToBecomeAMedicalAuditor">What Skills and Attributes Do I Need to Become a Medical Auditor?</h3><p>A medical auditor would be expected to be detail orientated and have good attention to accuracy to identify outliers and inefficiencies. Good written and verbal communication skills will be necessary to present findings and results effectively. You will need good critical thinking skills in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in an organization and suggest resolutions for the problems areas.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheCareerOutlookAndAdvancementOpportunitiesForMedicalAuditors">What Are the Career Outlook and Advancement Opportunities for Medical Auditors?</h3><p>According to the BLS, job opportunities for medical records and health information technicians are expected to grow by 9% by 2030. This is as high as the national average of 8%. In 2020 there were 416,400 jobs, and by 2030 there is expected to be an additional 37,100 jobs for medical records and health information technicians. Medical auditors can progress to become clinical data specialists or managers of health facilities with the right education requirements, such as a bachelor's or master's degree, certification and experience.</p>