What a Medical Biller Does
What type of work does a Medical Biller do?
Medical Billers perform a variety of duties including (but not limited to) retrieving patient medical health records, reviewing records for completeness, accuracy and compliance, processing patient admission or discharge documents, posting medical insurance billings, resolving or clarify codes, scheduling patient appointments, and performing other various administrative duties around a medical office environment.
Where do Medical Billers work?
Medical Billers traditionally work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilitates.
Will I be able to find a job?
It’s important to note that no school can guarantee employment. Here at Dorsey College, we offer career services assistance to all completers of the Medical Administration and Billing program, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College. You can learn more about the assistance our Career Services team offers by visiting our Career Services for Students and Graduates page.
Are there other jobs I may be able to obtain as a Medical Biller?
Medical Billers may work under other occupational titles such as Coder, Health Information Clerk, Health Information Specialist, Medical Records Clerk, Medical Office Assistant, Medical Secretary, and Medical Records Technician. When looking at any position, it’s important to evaluate the duties of the position along with the required skills and knowledge to determine if a candidate may meet the requirements set forth by the employer.
How is a Medical Biller different from other healthcare professionals?
Medical Billers typically work in an administrative setting in doctors’ offices, nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. The Medical Biller is typically the person who codes and categorizes patient information for reimbursement purposes. They may also be responsible for maintaining patient health records in paper and/or electronic formats. It’s not uncommon for Medical Billers also to perform other administrative tasks in a medical/healthcare office.
Are there other career opportunities for Medical Billers?
Some may choose to use a career as a Medical Biller as an entryway into the healthcare field. It would not be uncommon for a Medical Biller to work in the field to gain experience and later advance in their responsibilities/duties and/or go back to school to further their education and/or strengthen their credentials.
Becoming a Medical Biller
How might I determine if this is a good career choice for me?
In choosing any career, it’s important that someone look at a variety of factors, some of which include:
- Can I see myself doing the work that this position/occupation performs and am I going to be happy performing those tasks in that type of work setting?
- Do I have the skills/traits/characteristics that one may need to be successful in a position like this?
- How is the employment outlook/trends for this position?
I have no medical background or experience in healthcare – can I really do this?
You can! Many Medical Billers have little to no Medical/Healthcare Billing experience prior to beginning their training. That’s why it’s very important for someone interested in becoming a Medical Biller to evaluate their school and training options closely.
What type of training is needed?
Medical Billers typically attend a post-secondary school or institution to obtain training. Many of these programs lead to a certificate or a diploma and training typically takes one year to complete. Some employers may prefer their medical billers to obtain certification, but that will vary based upon the employer and the type of position a candidate may be seeking. It’s also important to note that since it’s not uncommon for Medical Billers to work very closely with patients and other healthcare professionals in the actual occupational setting, it can be advantageous to a student to choose a program that has a strong hands-on component so they can “learn by doing.”
How long do I have to go to school?
Many Medical Billing programs can be completed in a year or less. In choosing a program, it’s important for someone to evaluate the training that is included so they can ensure they are receiving the training they need (and want) prior to entering the healthcare field as a Medical Biller.
What are important characteristics for Medical Biller to have?
While this isn’t a full list of important characteristics, medical billers should have good communication skills, technical skills, analytical skills, and be detail-oriented. If you’re lacking in one or more of these areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t be a good medical biller, and it may be an area you wish to focus on as part of your training.
Is Certification/Licensure required to obtain employment as a Medical Biller?
It’s always important to check if the position in which you are applying for has specific requirements for Medical Billers to obtain employment. Some employers may set this requirement for candidates they wish to hire. Furthermore, there are benefits to becoming Certified in Medical Billing, and certification may strengthen a candidate’s prospects during their search for employment. In order to assist our graduates, Dorsey College will pay the cost one time for graduates of this program to challenge a certification exam as selected by Dorsey College, contingent upon the graduate meeting Dorsey College’s exam preparation requirements.
The Dorsey College Medical Administration and Billing program
What will be covered in the program?
The Dorsey College Medical Administration and Billing program offers instruction in how to pursue an administrative occupation in the medical field. Instruction takes place in both a classroom setting as well as a hands-on environment by way of an externship that will take place during the final module of training. Students enrolled in the Medical Administration and Billing program will be exposed to a variety of topics including (but not limited to):
- Computer Applications for Allied Health Professionals
- Spreadsheets
- Word Processing
- Interpersonal Skills
- Principles of Accounting
- Hospital and Institutional Billing and Coding
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Insurance Software Applications
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Office Procedures
- Electronic Health Records
- And more…!
Is your program hands-on?
Yes! Students will have opportunities to practice the skills they are learning both on campus at Dorsey College as well as during their externship.
What’s the externship and why is that important?
The externship will take place during the last module of training and will provide students with an opportunity to apply skills they have learned throughout their training in an actual occupational setting such as a Doctor’s Office, Long-Term Care Facility, or another Medical Facility.
How long is the program?
The Dorsey College Medical Administration and Billing program is designed to be completed in just one year.
Who are the instructors?
Our instructors are caring individuals that possess experience and expertise in their respective field. Our instructors meet or exceed State of Michigan and accreditation criteria, guidelines, and qualifications. It’s not uncommon for students of Dorsey College to see their instructors as their coach and mentor throughout their studies.
Why should I choose Dorsey College over another school?
Students choose Dorsey College over other Career Training Schools for a variety of reasons. You can learn more about by visiting The Dorsey Difference page.
Which Dorsey campuses offer the Medical Administration and Billing program?
The Medical Administration and Billing program is offered at the following Dorsey College campus locations:
- Dearborn, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Grand Rapids, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Madison Heights, MI (Main campus)
- Roseville, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Saginaw, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Woodhaven, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Wayne, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
How do I enroll?
If you’re interested in enrolling in the Medical Administration and Billing program at Dorsey College, the first step you should take is meeting with one of our Admissions Representatives. Request information online and a member of our team will be back in touch with you shortly. You can read more about our Admissions process on our Admissions information page.
Does your program include certification?
While actual certification is not included in the curriculum of the Dorsey College Medical Administration and Billing program, graduates may go on to challenge a national certification exam. For those who wish to challenge a national certification exam, Dorsey College will pay the cost one time for graduates of this program to challenge a certification exam as selected by Dorsey College, contingent upon the graduate meeting Dorsey College’s exam preparation requirements.
Will your program prepare me for certification?
The Dorsey College Medical Administration and Billing program is designed to prepare students to go on to challenge a national certification exam, should they wish to do so.
Is your school accredited?
Yes! You can learn more by visiting our Accreditation page.
What is the tuition and fees for the program?
The current tuition and fees for the Dorsey College Medical Administration and Billing program can be accessed by clicking here.
Is Financial Aid available?
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. For additional information on Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance, we would encourage you to visit our Financial Aid Information page.
Can you help me find a job after graduation?
Dorsey College offers Career Services assistance to all program completers, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College. You can learn more about the assistance our Career Services team offers by visiting our Career Services for Students and Graduates page.
Additional Information
For your reference, we’ve included the links below of several very helpful websites where you can learn more about Medical Billers, info pertaining to Jobs as a Medical Biller, the work Medical Billers do, etc.:
Michigan Occupational Wage Information: http://milmi.org/?PAGEID=67&SUBID=124
O*Net Online: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-6013.00 (Medical Secretaries)
