How can I become a certified medical biller and coder?

Is a medical biller's salary higher, if they are certified?

• How much can a medical biller make in their first couple of years of work, if they become certified? The employment rate will be rising for this position for the next decade, so ...show more

• Answer:

  There are 2 medical billing associations that I could find. AMBA (American Medical Billing Association) and HBMA (Healthcare Billing & Management Association). Both offer medical billing certifications (where you take an exam, once you pass, it proves to employers you know your stuff) but neither had data on if certified billers earn more than non certified. Generally, it is true but I have no data to support this for medical billing. I will say that the HBMA certification is for HBMA member company owners and top executives who participate in HBMA activities and wish to certify that participation. So may not be the place to look in your situation. Really, to get a higher salary, I would suggest medical coding in addition to medical billing. A lot of companies are lumping those 2 jobs together so if you were trained in coding as well, you would be more marketable. And there is data to support higher salaries for medical coders who have certifications. All the salary info from the medical coding associations are at medicalcoderinfo.com/salary Yes the employment rate is rising but that doesn't necessarily mean that coders should get paid more. It just means there will be a greater need to fill these positions. Salary could increase because employers will be willing to pay more for more qualified coders. (Supply and demand). The department of labor reported an average salary of approx. $33,000 but that was for 2010. Doesn't mean that won't increase but you don't know if it will either.