Medical Billing and Coding Job Outlook

Healthcare is one of the few industries that remain impervious to the pressures of economy. It has long been lauded as a recession-proof sector and if the only reason you're staying off a career in healthcare is because the sight of blood makes you uncomfortable, then worry not for you have no dearth of job options that involve little or no direct patient care.

One of them is medical billing and coding. Medical billers and coders are part of the health information technician team entrusted with specific responsibility of ensuring the services provided by physicians and other healthcare practitioners are properly reimbursed.

Although medical billing and coding is referred to as one occupation, the specific job role of a billing specialist is different from that of a medical coder. Medical coders assign standardized codes to the clinical procedures performed at a healthcare facility, whereas medical billing specialists deal with billing process and insurance claim procedures.

Medical Billing and Coding Careers

If you're considering a medical billing and coding career, then there are two main paths you can choose from:

Outpatient coders: Professionals who code the records of patients that receive outpatient services in a healthcare center such as emergency rooms, clinics, etc.

Inpatient coders: They have the job of coding records of patients who are admitting to a hospital or any other healthcare facility.

But before you enter the medical billing and coding field, it's important to know the employment landscape of this profession.The good news is that employment of medical billing and coding specialists is expected to grow at a much faster than average rate through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

It projects that the employment of all health information technicians, including medical billing and coding specialists, will increase by a whopping 20 percent.*1 This growth in employment is likely to result from:

    * Increase in the number of clinical procedures being performed in healthcare facilities.
    * Increase in age-related health problems on account of high percentage of older population in the country.
    * Need to fill vacancies created by health information technicians who retire or leave the profession.

Threats to Medical Coding - Real or Perceived?

Those who follow trends in the industry would probably know that a few recent (or not so recent) developments have led to the fear that the sun is setting on the medical coding and billing profession.

The first threat comes from the fact that a lot of medical billing and coding jobs are being outsourced to countries like India. While that may indeed be the case, but what's also true is that outsourcing has not led to any significant decline in the demand for local talent as is obvious by the Department of Labor's job projections.

The other threat to the medical billing and coding industry is posed by technological advancement or more specifically the development of the Electronic Health Record system. Though the EHR system has streamlined the way medical records are created, stored and maintained, professionals in the health information industry are feeling the heat from its widespread use.

But as of now, they have nothing to worry so far as the EHR system is concerned. The need of the hour is for them to add computer skills to their list of proficiencies when seeking employment.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that job prospects will be particularly good for professionals with strong computer software skills as the EHR system will continue to broaden and alter their job responsibilities.

Medical Billing and Coding Training

Post-secondary training is essential for the job of a medical billing and coding specialist. This training can be received through a college degree or a vocational course at a career school. Interested individuals should prepare for their post-secondary training by taking courses in math, biology, chemistry, health sciences and computers in high school.

Once you are through with your medical billing and coding training, it may be worth your while to get certified through organizations like the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Getting certified is one way to enhance your job prospects.

The news is no less cheerful as far as medical billing and coding salary is concerned. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wages of health information technicians is $35,010.*2

Sources:

1.bls.gov/oco/ocos103.htm
2.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292071.htm#nat

Nancy is a 35-year old stay at home mom of two. She worked as a medical assistant for five years before taking a break to be with her children. Her experience as a medical assistant gave her valuable insights in to the medical transcription industry, which she likes to share with others through her writing. Medical transcription training often finds mention in her writings. Being an SAHM, Nancy is a huge exponent of online vocational training programs that provide women like her the power to be their own boss.

Smartphone Apps for Students

When smartphones first came out, many schools banned them because students used them during class to play games or even cheat. However, as time has progressed, so have the apps for smartphones. Sure, there are still plenty of games that are out there, but there are now more apps that can help students on a day to day basis. Students now have the option to download apps that fit their study needs and help promote productive students and study times.

myHomework is a free app that can be very helpful for someone who has trouble remembering when assignments are due and what they are. The free app lets you track your classes and class schedule as well as organize homework assignments for all of your classes. You can also input when you have a test or an assignment due. It gives you an easy way to view of your assignments; a calendar view has your assignments organized by date, and when you click on a date it gives you a list of your assignments due. The only downside to this app may be that you have to register the app on their website so that you can sync your computer to your smartphone.

Another app is called Evernote. This app has won many awards and is highly recommended for just about anyone, not just students. It is very user friendly and allows you to record video, take photos, and take notes so you can remember everything possible. The app also can sync up to your computer or other device so no matter where you are you have your notes. It has other features like note sharing and collaboration of projects with friends, classmates or coworkers. You can even save your favorite webpages with links and everything on that page, plan your next trip with itineraries, maps, and official travel documents, or take pictures or notes of items you like online or in person so you can always remember it.

If you need help studying and your normal study tool is a set of flash cards, this next app is for you. gWhiz, LLC has an app available in iTunes called gFlash+ Flashcards & Tests. The app is great for any type of student, whether in high school or graduate school. gFlash+ is a free app that allows you to create and edit you own flash cards, and you can even add different aids to your cards like video or audio clips. You can even integrate your Google Docs with this app so you can create spreadsheets then upload them into your app. When you use your app for studying you can shuffle or scramble your cards, create different card groups, or combine or mix you decks of cards.

If you have an iPhone, Blackberry, or an Android phone, be sure to use it to your advantage. Don't abuse the chance to use your smartphone apps for class by playing games or texting friends during class. Some instructors will allow you to use your smartphone during class if it will help you academically. Of course, if you take your classes online they can't tell if you are using your phone, but you might as well use helpful apps so you aren't distracted during class, even online.

Legacy of the SEC

Unless you have been living under a rock your whole life, you know that colleges are typically divided into conferences. These conferences come into play during athletic competitions. As the conferences continue to make headlines and fight about who is best, we wondered if these conferences were anything more than just athletics. Since it has been in the news quite a lot lately, I decided to look at the SEC. With so many schools wanting to be in the SEC and the national championship titles, I assumed it was all about athletics and money. However, this article will take a look at the conference and help you learn a little bit more about how it became the powerhouse that we know it as today.

If you haven't guessed yet, SEC stands for the Southeastern Conference. Therefore, the SEC encompasses schools predominately from the Southeastern part of the country. The SEC was founded in December, 1932. Members of the Southern Conference were unhappy and met together to discuss the formation of their own conference. Ten of the current schools involved in the SEC were part of the original formation group. After a few changes the 10 remained the whole conference until they added two new schools in 1991. The SEC was the first conference to work with the NCAA and develop an east versus west championship within their own conference.

Those who have attended and SEC school know that competition is fierce, and that every school believes it is truly better than the next. This makes it one of the toughest conferences in terms of sports. Nine of the twelve current teams have all had their chance to duel it out every year for the SEC Championship. Currently, the east division leads the series. On a national level also, for the last six years a SEC team has won the national championship title. In fact, this year it was two SEC schools that battled it out for the national trophy. Also three of the last five Heisman trophy winners were from and SEC school.

Not to be outshined by football, both women's and men's basketball teams, and the baseball team also perform with exceptional results in the SEC. As a conference whole, the SEC continues to pick up the top honors winning the college world series and the NCAA basketball tournaments. Currently, with all the sports combined LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia have the most nation titles won by an SEC school.

So if you are going to college soon what does this mean to you? Have you even decided if you want to go to a traditional school or if you want to get an online degree? All of these awards may seem like bragging, but with the national titles, comes big money. Money leads to furthering education. When you are looking at a school whether it be online or an actual campus, it is important to make sure that the school has a good reputation and is part of an organization that will continue to work to foster your education.

Federal Student Loan Guide

After reading over some of my previous posts, I decided that it may be a good time to start at the beginning seeing as I never really did. I've given suggestions on how to curb average college graduate debt but in all reality some students and parents alike may be wondering what kind of loans there even are for college educations.

1. Stafford Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are loans offered by the Department Education to help subsidize your personal and families resources. They also cover above and beyond scholarships, work study, and grants. Almost all students can get Stafford Loans no matter what your credit score is or other financial problems you may have had in the past. There are both Unsubsidized and Subsidized loans, both of which, are guaranteed by the Federal Government.

Below are the Stafford Loan Limits throughout your college career.

Stafford Loan Limits

Dependent Students Annual Loan Limits
First Year $5,500 ($3,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized)
Second Year $6,500 ($4,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized)
Third Year and Beyond $7,500 ($5,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized)

Independent Students Annual Loan Limits
First Year $9,500 ($3,500 subsidized/$6,000 unsubsidized)
Second Year $10,500 ($4,500 subsidized/$6,000 unsubsidized)
Third Year and Beyond $12,500 ($5,500 subsidized/$7,000 unsubsidized)
Graduate or Professional $20,500 ($8,500 subsidized/$12,000 unsubsidized)

Lifetime Limits
Undergraduate Dependent $31,000 (Up to $23,000 may be subsidized)
Undergraduate Independent $57,500
Graduate or Professional $138,500 (Up to $65,000 may be subsidized)
or $224,000 (for Health Professionals)

2. Parent PLUS Loan

A Federal Parent PLUS Loan is a loan that parents of dependent students can apply for to help pay for the remainder of school that the financial aid package did not cover. It can cover up to the full cost of the student's tuition. Parents must pass a credit check to be approved for this loan, the only way around it is to get a friend or a relative to guarantee the loan. I would not suggest this for anyone.If someone asks you to do this, who is not your own personal child, you are setting yourself up for disaster. As of right now the interest rate for this loan is a 7.9% fixed rate. This loan is a 10-year loan and it is required that you must pay at least $50 a month and repayment begins 60 days after the full amount of the loan is dispersed.

3. Federal Perkins Loan

A Perkins Loan is a federal loan given to undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial needs. It has a low interest rate at 5% and unlike other loans, it has to be applied through the student's financial aid office at their school. Depending on what amount you need for school, the amount per year that an undergraduate student can obtain is $4,000, with the maximum amount allowed total per student is $27,500. For a graduate student, the maximum amount per year is $8,000 and $60,000 total which would include the undergraduate amount requested previously.

4. Graduate PLUS Loan

The Graduate PLUS Loan is almost exactly like the Parent Plus Loan except for the fact that it is for a Graduate Student to apply for. The Graduate PLUS loan is a fixed rate interest rate at 7.9%. Graduate students must apply for this based on credit scores and not on a need basis. The loan allows graduate students to apply for the loan for tuition, room and board, books, lab expenses, minus any other aid that the student is currently receiving. Payments can be deferred while you are currently enrolled in a program and the interest that is accrued is tax deductible for most graduate students.

This is just a basic overview of some student loans that you can receive or actually obtain. Depending on requests, I will write a more in depth analysis of each topic if people find it helpful. If not, I will leave it like this if everyone would like to research more on your own.

Kevin is the owner of http://collegegraduatedebt.com If you are interested in more, please come follow my blog on a quest to get future, recent, and graduated college students debt-free.

Tips For Preparation For Studying Overseas

Going Abroad

If you've made the decision to study abroad for a semester, you've got a lot of planning to do before you can leave. Preparing yourself for your trip will create a stress free and pleasant transition to your new study environment. Neglecting important information and steps to get ready can lead to an experience that is less than enjoyable, and this is an endeavor that you want to savor.

Getting Ready for Travel

You won't be able to go on your journey if you don't have a passport. A passport is a form of identification that proves to transportation staff, like those working in an airport, that you've been cleared to go to a foreign country. Applying for this a few months in advance will ensure that there is plenty of time for your information to be processed and for you to receive the appropriate travel identification.

Money comes in many different forms, so if you show up in Europe with a bunch of U.S. dollars, you'll be out of luck. You will need to convert your funds to the appropriate currency. Being aware of the exchange rate and average cost of items in your destination will help you figure out how much you will need to have available to you when you go abroad. Setting up a foreign bank account or making sure you can access your own bank account while overseas are avenues to consider when considering your financial stability in another country.

Packing for several months can be tricky, especially when you might only be bringing one large suitcase. Do some research on the weather patterns in the area you are visiting and see what it will be like while you are there. This will help you to narrow down the items you should bring, because you don't want to end up having winter clothing in the middle of summer. Versatile and durable items will be good staples for your wardrobe, especially since you may be wearing the same pieces of clothing many times.

Be aware of the customs in your destination location. America values individual freedom and expression very much so, even to the point that people can go to the grocery store in their pajamas. While this is a valuable right that you may not want to give up, fitting in where you are going may be even more valuable to you. Many other places around the world, especially study abroad destinations, have stricter dress codes. You want to avoid overly provocative or extremely casual items to be safe. Some research will reveal to you the best route to take when planning.

Unless you are fluent in another language, it can be very useful to have a translation dictionary. This is a great tool for you to use when you are out at a restaurant or trying to get information about the closest restroom. Even if you're pretty well-versed in the native language of your study abroad location, it can be useful to have this tool to help you expand your vocabulary.

Practicing the language prior to leaving will make you more prepared to handle the challenges of the communication barrier. There are plenty of great computer programs you can purchase that will train you to speak another language, or you could even hire a tutor.

The work you put in ahead of time will take pressure off of you during your trip.

Study abroad programs are supposed to be fun. Making lists, researching, and double-checking are all smart and necessary choices to make if you want to make your international studies abroad the best that they can be.