To become a medical reimbursement specialist, one must complete training in medical billing and coding, ranging from a one-year certificate program to a two-year associate’s degree. Accredited programs and certification exams are necessary for employment. The job involves assigning codes, processing medical bills, and working with healthcare professionals. Continuing education is required to maintain certification. The demand for medical reimbursement specialists is increasing.
To become a medical reimbursement specialist, you must be trained in medical billing and coding. The training period ranges from a one-year certificate program to a two-year associate’s degree in health information technology. Online courses are available as well as traditional on-campus university programs that will allow you to become a medical reimbursement specialist. It is important to research and choose an accredited training program that will prepare you for a certification exam. Hospital settings often require an associate degree from an accredited private college or community college, such as the Commission on Accreditation for Education in Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) in the United States.
A medical reimbursement specialist assigns Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to accounts and is responsible for processing medical bills in accordance with payment guidelines. Medical reimbursement specialists work closely with healthcare professionals and physicians in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics and insurance companies to manage patients’ financial and medical records. Other duties may include investigating fraudulent claims, unnecessarily reviewing medical procedures, and resubmitting rejected insurance claims. If you want to become a medical reimbursement specialist, you must be detailed and organized because the work environment is often hectic and can require multitasking.
If you are in high school and want to increase your chances of admission to become a medical reimbursement specialist in an accredited program, consider taking classes in health information systems, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and informatics. College classes teach human relations, health information technology, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and ICD and CPT coding. Additional courses include database management, data analysis, healthcare reimbursement methods, and clinical rating systems. In the US, Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) certification is available from the American Medical Billing Association. By completing an accredited training program and passing the certification exam, you will increase your job search changes and earn a higher rate of pay in the healthcare industry.
Passing the certification exam provides verification of competency to become a medical reimbursement specialist and demonstrates to potential employers your skills and your commitment and credibility in the medical profession. The CMRS credential designation exam requires an accuracy score of 85% and is comprised of 16 sections, ranging from compliance to medical terminology. Each year after passing the exam, you will need 15 continuing education units to keep your CMRS credential designation fresh and current. Continuing education can also improve your chances of a management position and an increase in the rate of pay. The need for medical reimbursement specialists has increased as more and more healthcare providers seek certified medical reimbursement professionals with the skills and knowledge to increase revenue, prevent fraudulent claims, and keep costs down for patients and the healthcare industry.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
