A day in the life of a medical billing & coding student: What to expe

A medical billing and coding career may be a great way to join the healthcare field. Professionals in this role are responsible for vital duties in medical offices, hospitals, insurance companies and large healthcare organizations. They take on tasks such as carefully handling patient data and coding it for medical billing. Like many healthcare careers, medical billers and coders are in demand, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 8.7% growth in roles through 2033. So, what does a student of medical billing and coding have to look forward to in order to start this career field?

An educational program is the best way to start this career. Medical billing and coding programs are offered by community colleges, technical schools, colleges and other career schools around the country, and some programs can be completed 100% online.

If you’re considering a career in medical billing and coding, you might have several questions about the required education. A look into the daily life of a student can help answer these questions and give you an idea of what to expect if you enroll in a medical billing and coding program.

In this Article

• Attending classes
• Study tips

• Preparing for professional certification
• Balancing your education and other priorities

Attending classes

The first order of business is to choose the right education program. Your coursework is the foundation of any educational program so review it carefully before selecting your school. Medical billing and coding students should study topics that will prepare them for their healthcare careers. For instance, medical billing and coding programs often start with courses such as a medical terminology, anatomy and medical coding.

Tracie Rivera, an instructor for the City College of the City University of New York School of Continuing and Professional Studies Medical Billing and Coding program explained that these courses are important because medical billers and coders need to be very precise in their work.

“Taking courses in anatomy and pathophysiology, health insurance, claims processing and coding, as well as legal and regulatory requirements, is crucial for those taking on the responsibility of navigating the healthcare revenue cycle,” Rivera said. “Without that education, healthcare facilities will not have steady or reasonable cash flow and will risk financial instability.“

On average, a medical billing and coding program lasts between six and 12 months. As you move along in your program, you’ll take additional courses. These will give you a more in-depth understanding of processes such as medical documentation, insurance regulations and healthcare revenue cycles.

“In healthcare, services are rendered on credit, but the credit is extended based on payment from a third party as well as the customer, and the charges, the payments and the entire responsible for the payment changes from sale to sale of service,” Rivera explained. “This requires understanding the process of translating medical documentation into code, that code being inserted into health insurance claims, along with other data.”

Your courses will be a mix of lectures, hands-on activities and exams. Typically, instructors will be healthcare professionals with years of experience in billing and coding. The size, timing and exact structure of your courses will depend on your school and the format of your program.

Example of a weekly course schedule for medical billing & coding students

Some schools may offer courses on the weekends and late in the evenings. Online programs may allow you to take courses at any time of day or night.

How to study for medical billing and coding

It’s a great idea to take time out during each day to study as staying on a study schedule can help you keep up with your coursework, and even get ahead. It’s also a great way to ensure you understand the material. You can focus on areas that need extra review, or topics you’d like to ask an instructor about if you study consistently especially because Rivera said that some topics may present an extra challenge for students.

“Different students will find different aspects of a medical billing and coding program challenging. Some find the anatomy and pathophysiology difficult to master because there is so much to learn that requires taking that newly acquired knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy and translating it into codes. These are so specific that there are over 75,000 codes for diagnoses alone.”

Learning how to work with medical insurance can also be complex and challenging. Riviera explained that practical application and experience are often the best way to master this skill. “It can be extremely difficult to learn because it is not black and white and it requires an incredible amount of critical thinking.”

“Insurance companies sell many different insurance plans with a very wide variety of provisions and requirements for payment,” Rivera said. “Health services often submitted and paid by one plan for one insurance company may not be allowed or paid for by a different plan for the same insurance company, no less another insurance company. Understanding this is a skill needed in the profession.”

No matter which area presents a challenge, studying can help a students overcome the hurdle. It may be a smart to start by using a mix of study techniques, such as flashcards, study guides or practice tests. Many schools will provide students with study assistance, such as study groups or individual tutoring. Taking advantage of these benefit can be a good way to help students stay on track and keep up with the coursework.

Preparing for certification

Students who’ve successfully completed a medical billing and coding program may choose to apply to take a certification exam. Holding professional credentials shows employers and peers that you take your studies and chosen career field seriously, and while professional certification isn’t mandatory for medical billers and coders to work in any state, many employers prefer certification, and some may even require it.

A medical billing and coding program can help prepare students for the certification exam and it’s common for students to study for certification testing during their educational program. This can be an advantage since the information learned in class is the information the exam will cover. Additionally, taking this path allows students to hold a credential as a new graduate. 

“There are two things that students are learning when they take medical billing and coding programs. One is the skill of being part of the revenue cycle team in real-world work application, and the other is the skill needed to achieve success on the certification exams.” Rivera said.

Students can choose from a few nationally recognized certifications:

The Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

The right certification can depend on factors such as location and the desired employer. Often, schools that offer medical billing and coding are designed to help students earn a specific certification. No matter which exam you take, online study materials, such as practice exams and study guides, are available. “Purchasing the study guides and practice exams is highly recommended even if the student takes a medical billing and coding program,” Rivera said.

What skills can help students succeed in a medical billing and coding program?

A medical billing and coding program can be a quick way to start a medical career, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for everyone. Medical billing and coding students will need to take science and medical courses, such as anatomy, and gain an understanding of complex topics.

Skills such as attention to detail and critical thinking can be key to success in a medical billing and coding program. “Students should come into a billing and coding program aware that they need to have focus, patience with themselves, good critical thinking skills and excellent attention to detail. They also need to plan to study beyond class time,” Rivera recommended.

Balancing your education with other priorities

Some students enter a billing and coding program right after high school while other students are working adults with full-time jobs and children. For students of all ages and life stages, it’s important to balance courses with important daily priorities. This can mean taking time for not just work and family commitments but for essentials such as a balanced diet, exercise and self-care. 

Time management can be the key to helping busy medical billing and coding students make time for themselves, school and their other commitments. Sometimes, a written schedule can allow students to plan out each day and create blocks for tasks such as attending classes, studying, work shifts and space for workouts and hobbies. Other timesaving tips, such as meal-prepping or family share duties, can also be a great way to stay healthy during an educational program. 

However you may see fit to manage school with life and responsibilities, it’s important to remember why you’re going through this difficult balancing act, and keep an eye on the outcome from all your hard work and sometimes seemingly impossible course load. If you’re ready to begin, simply click find schools to start researching accredited medical billing and coding programs that are either classroom-based or online.