Certified Medical Insurance Specialist Courses and Certifications

<h3 id="section---WhatYouNeedToKnow">What You Need to Know</h3> <p>As a medical insurance specialist, you ensure that the health care facility receives payment from patients. There are a variety of degree and certification options available for students to prepare for a career in this field, including prep classes and self-study options. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Working with paperwork and insurance companies to ensure proper payment</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Programs</b> </td><td> Certificates, Associate's Degrees</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Medical Terminology, Medical Coding and Billing, Insurance Billing, Human Anatomy, Disease Processes, Computer Applications</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatDoesAMedicalInsuranceSpecialistDo">What Does a Medical Insurance Specialist Do?</h3> <p>Medical insurance specialists assess patients' insurance coverage and then submit the correct paperwork to insurance companies. You can work in a hospital, doctor's office or nursing home. You will need knowledge of medical terminology, reimbursement procedures and coding. As a certified medical insurance specialist, you may or may not have the responsibility of managing others. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfTrainingDoINeed">What Kind of Training Do I Need?</h3> <p>You can choose a medical insurance specialist certificate program to prepare for a career in the field. These short programs are available full-time or part-time and include courses in medical terminology, medical coding and billing. You can also qualify for an entry-level position in this field through programs in medical coding and insurance billing, as well as in medical office administration. Some of the courses you'd study for an associate's degree in medical coding include: </p> <ul><li>Human anatomy </li><li>Pharmacology </li><li>The business of health care </li><li>Medical terminology </li><li>Insurance </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheCertificationProcess">What Is the Certification Process?</h3> <p>There are various ways that you can earn your certification in this medical field. The Practice Management Institute (PMI) has created a prep course that is available at various technical and community colleges. To take the course, you will pay for your exam and the prep course at the same time. The prep course will cover exam subjects such as coding, insurance claims and processing, medical terminology and insurance fraud. </p> <p>Another option is the self-study program, where you purchase coursework that you complete on your own time, in your own way. You can also choose the exam only option, where you only pay for the cost of the exam. You will receive an exam study guide as well. If you already have certification from another organization, you may be able to take the abbreviated exam, which requires prior approval from PMI's Professional Services Department.</p>