Health Information Management vs. Healthcare Administration

Both Health Information Management (HIM) and Healthcare Administration operate on the business side of healthcare, which is part of why the two fields sometimes get lumped together. Both are essential to how healthcare organizations function, and both offer strong career prospects. But they draw on very different skill sets and lead to different kinds of day-to-day work, so understanding where they diverge makes it easier to figure out which path fits you.

Below, we break down what each field covers, where they overlap, and what kind of career each one tends to support. By the end, you'll have a clearer sense of whether managing health data and information systems or leading healthcare operations and strategy is the better match for your interests

What Is Health Information Management?

Health Information Management centers on the data that keeps healthcare running: patient records, medical coding, data privacy, and the systems that store and protect all of it. Rather than managing people or budgets directly, HIM professionals ensure that health information is accurate, secure, and compliant with regulations like HIPAA, while also supporting the systems that convert that data into reimbursement, research, and operational insights.

Typical coursework includes:

• Medical coding and classification systems
• Health data governance and information systems
• Healthcare privacy, security, and compliance
• Health informatics and data analytics
• Healthcare law and reimbursement methodologies

HIM is commonly studied at the associate's or bachelor's degree level, and programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduating from a CAHIIM-accredited program is required to sit for the field's core credentials: the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam at the associate degree level, or the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam at the bachelor's or master's degree level. Both credentials are administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

What Is Healthcare Administration?

Healthcare Administration centers on people and operations rather than data. It trains you to lead and manage healthcare organizations, overseeing the staffing, finances, and strategy that keep hospitals, clinics, and health systems running smoothly. Where HIM focuses on the integrity of health information itself, Healthcare Administration focuses on the broader business of delivering care.

Typical coursework includes:

• Healthcare finance and budgeting
• Organizational leadership and human resources
• Health law and policy
• Strategic planning and operations management
• Quality improvement in healthcare settings

Healthcare Administration is most commonly studied at the master's degree level, particularly for leadership-track roles, through programs like the Master of Health Administration (MHA). Many of these programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the primary accrediting body for healthcare management education.

Key Differences Between Health Information Management and Healthcare Administration

The two fields sit on different sides of the healthcare business, and the differences show up in what you study, the credentials you pursue, and the work you do day to day.

• Focus: HIM centers on health data, records, and information systems. Healthcare Administration centers on people, operations, and organizational strategy.
• Typical degree level: HIM is commonly studied at the associate's or bachelor's level, with credentialing tied to those degree levels. Healthcare Administration is most often pursued at the master's level, particularly for leadership roles.
• Accreditation and credentials: HIM programs are accredited by CAHIIM, leading to RHIT or RHIA credentials through AHIMA. Healthcare Administration programs are commonly accredited by CAHME, without a parallel licensing exam tied to the degree itself.
• Skill sets: HIM builds technical skills in data governance, coding, and compliance. Healthcare Administration builds management skills in finance, leadership, and strategic planning.
• Work settings: HIM professionals often work within health information departments, coding units, or informatics teams. Healthcare Administration professionals often oversee entire departments, facilities, or organizations.

Similarities Between the Two Fields  

Even though they draw on different skill sets, HIM and Healthcare Administration support the same overall goal: keeping healthcare organizations running effectively.

• Both operate on the business and operational side of healthcare rather than direct patient care.
• Both require a solid understanding of healthcare law, regulations, and compliance.
• Both can lead to leadership roles, whether managing a health information department or an entire healthcare organization.
• Both fields are increasingly shaped by technology, from electronic health records to data analytics.
• Both are essential to how healthcare organizations operate, and neither functions well without the other.

Career Paths and Job Titles

The degree or credential path you pursue shapes the roles you're prepared for, though both fields offer strong long-term prospects.

HIM professionals typically move into roles centered on data, coding, and information governance. Common job titles include:

• Medical records specialist
• Health information technician
• Medical coder
• Health information manager
• Clinical data analyst

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical records specialists earned a median annual wage of $50,250 as of May 2024, with 7% projected job growth through 2034. Health information technologists and medical registrars, a related and often higher-paying role, earned a median annual wage of $67,310, with 15% projected growth through the same period.

Healthcare Administration professionals typically move into operational and executive roles within healthcare organizations. Common job titles include:

• Hospital administrator
• Practice manager
• Health services manager
• Chief operating officer

The BLS reports a median annual wage of $117,960 for medical and health services managers as of May 2024, with 23% projected job growth through 2034. It's worth noting that health information managers, who oversee a facility's records and data systems, actually fall under this same medical and health services managers category, showing just how closely these two fields can intersect at the leadership level.

How to Decide Which Path Fits You

The right path comes down to whether you're drawn to data and systems or to people and operations.

HIM tends to fit you well if you enjoy detail-oriented, technical work involving data accuracy, coding, and compliance. You'll spend your career close to the systems that keep patient information secure and usable, often without managing large teams or budgets directly.

Healthcare Administration tends to fit you well if you're energized by leading people, managing operations, and making strategic decisions that affect an entire department or organization. You'll spend more time on staffing, finances, and big-picture planning than on the data itself.

If you're not sure which path fits, think about the kind of problems you want to solve day to day. If you picture yourself ensuring health data is accurate, secure, and properly coded, HIM is likely the better fit. If you picture yourself leading a team or running the operations of a healthcare facility, Healthcare Administration is probably the stronger match. Your comfort with technical systems versus people management can also be a useful gut check.

Combined and Related Programs

Because HIM and Healthcare Administration intersect so often in practice, particularly as electronic health records and data analytics become more central to running a healthcare organization, some schools offer programs that combine the two. These pairings are less common than combinations like MHA/MPH or MHA/MBA, and they tend to pair Healthcare Administration with health informatics, a closely related field, rather than a strict HIM degree.

This path tends to appeal to you if you want leadership skills alongside a strong technical foundation in health data systems, positioning you for roles like chief health information officer or director of health informatics that require fluency in both areas.

A few schools that offer this kind of pairing include:

• University of Alabama at Birmingham: UAB's coordinated degree program combines its Master of Science in Health Services Administration (MSHA) with a Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI), letting students complete the MSHI before their administrative residency.
• Saint Joseph's University: This dual degree pairs a Master of Health Administration with a Master of Science in Health Informatics, available on campus or online.
• University of Maryland Global Campus: UMGC offers a dual-degree pathway between its Master's in Healthcare Administration and its Master's in Health Information Management and Technology, allowing credits to count toward both degrees. 

FAQs About Health Information Management vs. Healthcare Administration

Here are answers to some common questions about choosing between Health Information Management and Healthcare Administration.

Does Health Information Management Require a Coding Background?

Not necessarily before you start, since most programs teach coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT as part of the curriculum. Some prior familiarity with medical terminology or healthcare settings can help, but it isn't typically a prerequisite for entering an HIM program.

Can You Move From Health Information Management Into Healthcare Administration?

Yes, this is a fairly common career path. HIM professionals who move into management, particularly those who earn the RHIA credential or pursue a master's degree, often transition into broader healthcare administration or health information leadership roles.

Is Healthcare Administration a Good Fit if You Dislike Working With Data?

It can be, though some comfort with data and reporting is still useful, since healthcare leaders rely on data to make operational and financial decisions. The difference is that Healthcare Administration uses data to inform decisions, while HIM focuses on managing and safeguarding the data itself.

Which Field Offers More Remote Work Opportunities?

Health Information Management often offers more remote flexibility, since much of the work involves coding, data entry, and system management that can be done from anywhere. Healthcare Administration roles, particularly at the leadership level, more often require an on-site presence to manage staff and daily operations.

Do Both Fields Require Ongoing Continuing Education?

Yes. HIM professionals with credentials like RHIA or RHIT must complete continuing education to maintain certification, and healthcare regulations and coding systems change regularly. Healthcare Administration professionals also benefit from ongoing education to stay current on healthcare law, policy, and management best practices, even without a mandatory renewal requirement tied to the degree itself.

Find a Healthcare Program

Choosing between Health Information Management and Healthcare Administration comes down to whether you're drawn to data or to people and operations. Whichever direction fits your goals, Learn.org's program listings can help you compare schools and formats as you plan your next step.