subject: An In Depth Look At A Career In Chicago Medical Billing [print this page] If you have an intense interest in the health field, but are not particularly interested in working directly with the patients, then a career as a Chicago medical billing specialist may be the answer for you. This career allows you to play a crucial role in this amazing field without obtaining any specific medical skills, or working directly with the patients. Additionally, this career can provide you with the skills you need to work in a variety of different positions within the medical administration field.
The number one reason why people who are interested in becoming a Chicago medical billing specialist do not pursue their goal is because they assume that the process will be long and complicated. After all, most medical careers require you to have at least seven years of post high school graduation to even get your foot in the door. In order to help put an end to this myth, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you exactly what you need to know in order to start your career in Chicago medical billing.
Educational Requirements
Unlike most medical careers, a career as a Chicago medical billing specialist will not require you to obtain a college degree. In fact, there are many certificate programs available that will teach you everything that you need to know to obtain an entry level position in this field. These certificate programs typically take six months or less to complete depending upon the institution that is offering the program.
While a college degree is not required to take an entry level position in this field, it is important to remember that the more education you have, the more likely you will be to advance within the field. As a result, many medical billing specialists choose to obtain an associates degree in this field of study prior to beginning their career. If you choose not to obtain this degree at the start of your career, you may wish to consider obtaining a degree as a part time student while continuing to work within the field. This will help to prepare you for advancement opportunities in the future.
Choosing a Specialty
Not all medical billing specialists choose to specialize in one area of medicine however, choosing a specialty often proves to be more lucrative. This is especially true for individuals who choose to specialize in an in demand field. For instance, there is currently a very high demand for billing specialists who specialize in cancer. As a result, qualified candidates for this position are often offered much higher salaries than people in a general position.
Starting Salary
While your decision of which career to pursue in your life should not be based on money alone, it would be irresponsible to discuss the requirements of this position without also discussing the rewards. Starting salaries for medical billing specialists often begin around $35,000 and extend to as much as $45,000. The starting salary which you enjoy will depend upon a variety of factors. These factors typically include your level of education, any relevant work experience, the employer you are working for, and the area in which you live. In order to get a more accurate idea of what you can expect to make as a beginning billing specialist, you may wish to check out salary information that is specific to your credentials and local area. You will also need to take into account whether you will be seeking a job in a specific medical area or as a general billing specialist. This will have a large impact on the salary that you are offered.
