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Table of Contents Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 Your First Options: Healthcare Associate ---------------------------------------------------------4 Your Second Options: Medical Administrative Assistant -------------------------------------9 Your Third Option: Medical Billing & Coding ----------------------------------------------------13 Which healthcare career is right for you? -------------------------------------------------------19 Why NYCI? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20 2
Introduc)on There is no reason to stay stuck in a dead-end job when exciting career paths in the healthcare field are open to you. Best of all, many of these careers have a short education path to be career-ready. According to data supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers as allied medical professionals have a high projected growth potential. This can be attributed to medical advances that keep senior citizens healthy longer, as well as increased health insurance coverage options for all Americans. Making the decision now to embark on a new career trajectory can lead you to a brighter future. 3
Your First Op)on: Healthcare Associate The primary focus of healthcare associates is managing patient data, which can include collecting, storing, analyzing and transmitting it securely to avoid any security breaches. Healthcare associates are the record-keepers of the facilities that employ them, and must adhere to stringent professional, legal and ethical standards. Below are some examples of patient information for which you may be responsible: Demographic - Maintaining and categorizing patient census in facilities. Clinical - Updating patient direct care notes and lab results. Financial - Managing costs and meeting budgetary requirements. Epidemiological - Identification and analysis of health care trends and disease patterns. Regulatory - Ensuring compliance with HIPPA and other state and federal regulations. 4
Earning Poten)al for Healthcare Associates Because the title "Healthcare Associate" can be broadly applied to many different positions, the salary range can vary a great deal. However, obtaining a two-year Associate's degree can boost wages considerably. In some metropolitan areas, after a few years on the job, the annual salary may be as high as $61,000. Starting salaries for a case manager or healthcare assistant with an Associate's degree usually are about $26,000. Growth Trends for Healthcare Associates As technology expands, doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities are transitioning from traditional methods of record-keeping for their patients' financial and medical information. Just a few short years ago, doctors' chart notes were all handwritten and patient records often were voluminous and contained in numerous charts, with the oldest often being kept in offsite storage facilities. Digital data entry and storage methods have streamlined the record-keeping process and made patient information remotely accessible to physicians and insurance providers. These advances have opened up many more employment opportunities for those with an interest and aptitude for working in the field of healthcare information management. Having the following skills can be helpful for launching a career as a healthcare associate: Analytical aptitude Knowing how to effectively communicate with a diverse group of people Problem-solving abilities Being detail-oriented Technical capabilities 5
Overview of Healthcare Associate Degree Program With a two-year degree as a healthcare associate, students prepare for careers in many types of diverse medical environments. Areas of study focus on business, medical and legal courses. You ll receive instruction and training in a classroom setting in various courses like medical terminology, computer skills, finance and budgeting, human resources management, record-keeping and the changing state and federal health care laws. After completing the required coursework, students are placed in supervised internships in the local healthcare community. Internships run for 160 hours, and allow you to hone your skills and acquire on-the-job experience to assist in job placement. Although this is never a given, upon completion of the requisite hours, some internships may lead to offers of employment being extended to those who do well, show initiative and are a good fit for that particular organization. In order to enroll in a two-year program, prospective students must either be a high school graduate or have obtained a GED. 6
Curriculum for Associate of Healthcare Administra)on Curriculum courses are split between the medical, legal and administrative categories to ensure that students are well-rounded and able to perform all functions required by their future employers. The curriculum includes some of the following, plus a general elective of the student's choice: Principles of Accounting Computer Concepts Medical Document Processing Computerized Medical Billing Medical Office Coding Medical Insurance Professional Development Quality Assurance and Improvement Medical Office Internship Medical Law & Ethics Basic Human Anatomy Medical Terminology Cer)fica)on Exam Upon successful completion of their course work, students can take the Certified Medical Administrative Specialist exam that is given by the American Medical Technologists, the agency that provides certification for allied health professionals. 7
Career Opportuni)es There has never been a better time to enter the field of allied healthcare, as the projected growth trajectory for the 10-year period from 2012 to 2022 is estimated to be an increase of 23%, higher than the nation's average for other industries. Graduates with Associate's degrees in healthcare can pursue employment opportunities in the following medical venues: Doctors' offices Clinics Hospitals Nursing care facilities Corrections institutes Public health agencies Graduating students usually qualify for entry-level positions as: Medical secretaries Medical transcriptionists Medical administrative assistants Medical billers This list is not all-inclusive, and motivated individuals who accept entry-level positions and continue their educational careers can conceivably go on to even more lucrative employment opportunities in the field of healthcare administration. 8
Your Second Op)on: Medical Administra)ve Assistant Medical administrative assistants are the backbone of the healthcare facility or physician's office where they work. They handle matters not related to direct patient care that keep the office or ward running like a well-oiled machine. Some of their job duties on a typical shift might include: Being the first point of contact in the office or clinic for patients and others, greeting them and offering assistance. Scheduling appointments online using medical software programs. Managing multiple telephone lines and routing calls. Routine clerical tasks like data entry, medical transcription and managing basic correspondence. Proficiency with medical terminology and familiarity with procedures specific to the facility at which they are employed. Abiding by all ethical standards of the medical community, as well as local, state and federal laws, including HIPPA. Providing information and assistance to indigent patients regarding Patient Assistance Programs for which they may be eligible in order for patients to receive free or discounted medications. Schedule diagnostic tests and labs for patients. 9
Earning Poten)al for Medical Administra)ve Assistants There is great potential for medical administrative assistants to launch a thriving career in New York City. As of September 2015, the average salary for this position in NYC was $47,000. However, the pay scale for entry-level positions will be considerably less. Depending on the type of employment setting, there can be some wage disparity. Benefit packages offered by some employers can be considered additional compensation. Job Growth in the Healthcare Field According to data supplied by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the decade between 2012 and 2022, jobs for medical assistants (both clinical and administrative) have a projected growth increase of 29%. This means that the demand for qualified workers to fill these positions is higher than the median for all other occupations. As baby-boomers become senior citizens and the Affordable Care Act continues to be implemented across the nation, there will be an ongoing need for qualified medical administrative assistants to swell the staff ranks of expanding medical practices, hospitals and various types of clinics. Getting in on the ground floor now is a good career decision. 10
Overview of Medical Administra)ve Assistant Cer)fica)on Program Students pursuing this course of study receive a certificate of completion after all program requirements are satisfactorily met. Those considering a career as a medical administrative assistant may wonder what that entails. A typical program of study consists of the following classes: College English Medical Law & Ethics Medical Document Processing Medical Insurance Medical Terminology Medical Office Management Medical Office Internship Computer Concepts Microsoft Word Professional Development 11
Cer)fica)on Exam Although some allied health professionals, like nurse's aides, must be certified, certification for medical administrative assistants is voluntary. But, taking the additional step to get certified can expand your career opportunities as well as boost the salary offer that you receive. Additionally, some hospitals, doctors' offices and other medical facilities only hire those candidates who are certified. The National Healthcareer Association offers certification for medical administrative assistants. The CMAA exam takes 130 minutes and consists of 110 questions, along with an additional 20 pre-test items. To learn how to purchase both paper and online study guides and practice tests, and the prices for all, visit their website. Career Opportuni)es One of the biggest perks of being a medical administrative assistant in New York City is the sheer number of career opportunities that are available in such a wide variety of employment settings. Few careers offer this much diversity to job seekers. While this list is by no means all-inclusive, below are some of the places students may find gainful employment after completing their program of study: Private medical practices - About 60% of administrative medical assistants wind up working for a sole practitioner or a small group of physicians. Hospitals - There are many hospitals located all over the five boroughs of New York City that employ qualified administrative medical assistants. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities - As the nation's population ages, there will be even more staff needed to fill these jobs. Corrections institutes - From county jails to sprawling federal prison complexes, there will always be a need to manage the trove of inmate medical data. Clinics and labs - Those who are highly organized and possess strong analytical skills could excel in this employment setting. Other medical settings - Chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists often hire administrative medical assistants to ensure their offices run smoothly. 12
Your Third Op)on: Medical Billing & Coding Gone are the days of receipts and insurance forms filled out by hand and submitted by mail. Technology has changed the way medical facilities and doctors' offices do business, which is good news for those contemplating a career in the field of medical billing and coding. Many are surprised to learn that the history of medical coding goes back to England in the 1600s. It was then used to track and analyze the causes of death of the population, and over time, evolved into the modern International Classification of Diseases. Together with the Current Procedural Terminology manual for every type of healthcare service provided, the two form the basic procedural coding system for Western health care. 13
Job Du)es of a Medical Billing & Coding Professional Professional medical billers and coders must be proficient in all aspects of the ICD-10 codes the office or health care facility uses for billing purposes. They must remain up-to-date on any changes in HIPPA laws and federal or state regulations governing which procedures and services are covered by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. They must also work closely with insurance companies to make sure that claims are paid promptly, as well as have a good grasp of human anatomy and medical terminology. As the custodians of a facility's billing records, these allied health professionals are responsible for: Organizing and maintaining databases of all patient records to give nurses and doctors quick access to patients' information. Ensuring medical records on procedures and treatments are updated regularly to track the provision of service and results. Transcribing physicians chart notes to codes preset by industry standards. Being the liaison between those involved in direct patient care and the billing agencies that authorize and pay for treatments for patients. Qualified job applicants in this field should be proficient in both Microsoft Word and Excel applications and be able to grasp the principles involved in basic accounting. Having both conflict resolution and analytical skills, as well as an aptitude for mathematics, are pluses in this industry. 14
Earning Poten)al for Medical Billers and Coders There is a huge demand now for trained, competent medical billing and coding specialists in the United States. According to data supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for medical coders is $16.42 per hour, or $34,160 annually. Wages can top out at over $56,000 per year at some facilities in metropolitan locations. Most medical coders in professional office or hospital settings also receive generous benefits packages and the opportunity for advancement through continuing education. Job Growth in the Industry Jobs for medical coding and billing professionals are in high demand and increasing rapidly at an annual rate of more than 20 percent. In keeping with the general trend of higher wages for those professionals in the medical field, these positions pay considerably higher salaries than most other jobs held by those without four-year college degrees. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics expect this industry to employ nearly 37,700 additional billing and coding specialists between now and 2020. 15
Overview of Medical Billing & Coding Program The program of study for medical billers and coders will include some of the following courses: College Mathematics Principles of Accounting Computer Concepts Medical Insurance Computerized Medical Billing Medical Law and Ethics Basic Human Anatomy I Basic Human Anatomy II Medical Terminology Procedural Coding Diagnostic Coding Medical Document Processing Cer)fica)on Exam Upon completion of this program of study, students can take the Insurance and Coding exam in order to be certified by the National Center for Competency Testing. 16
Associate Degree vs. Cer)ficate There is an obvious academic advantage to pursuing an Associate's degree in the field of medical billing and coding. The longer program delves into far more depth and detail than a much shorter certification program that focuses solely on coding. Employers typically will give preference to degreed applicants, all other factors being relatively equal, and starting salaries for those with degrees are usually higher. However, those with experience in the medical field or an earned Bachelor s or Associate s degree may be able to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this field by enrolling in a shorter certificate program. 17
Medical Billing and Coding Career Opportuni)es It is an exciting time to be embarking on a career as a medical biller and coder. Implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system means that even experienced billing and coding professionals will be learning the new system, so there will be far less disparity between their knowledge base and that of those who are newly hired. As the Affordable Care Act continues to allow more and more Americans the opportunity to purchase health insurance, this field will continue to grow and expand in the years to come. Coding and billing specialists might find employment in the following healthcare sectors: Hospitals Clinics Private physicians' practices Insurance companies Consulting firms Public health 18
Which healthcare career is right for you? There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to determining which career choice will be the best fit for a student. There are many factors to consider that pertain to each student's individual and familial situations. For some students, the idea of working a 9 to 5 shift five days per week is the ideal fit for them and allows them to meet their familial obligations. Someone with those concerns may prefer working in a traditional medical office setting as an administrative medical assistant or healthcare associate. Others may be more suited to the shift work they could find doing billing and coding for a large medical facility where an early morning shift could begin around 4:30 a.m. There is also the issue of how much time a student is able to commit to becoming career-ready. The appeal of a shorter one-year program cannot be overlooked when finances are stretched tight and there is a pressing need to secure full-time employment fast. Others may have more time to devote to a longer study program that will culminate with an Associate's degree and allow them to command a higher rate of pay. Loca)on, Loca)on, Loca)on Students intending to remain living and working in New York City have the advantage of many employment opportunities available to them in all five NYC boroughs. But, some may intend to establish their careers in another part of the state or in a completely different locale. Taking the time to research employment opportunities wherever you intend to live can help you make the best and most lucrative decision for your particular set of circumstances. An admissions advisor can assist you with determining which program of study will be the best fit for your lifestyle. 19
Why Choose NYCI? NYCI is the best place to study for these healthcare careers in New York City. The small class sizes allow professors to get to know their students well and gives students plenty of one-on-one time with their instructors. The flexible class schedules are perfect for those with jobs and families, and for single parents juggling childcare responsibilities with their academic studies. NYCI also offers its students access to high -profile internships and lucrative career opportunities that they may not find elsewhere. Don't settle for a job that doesn't make ends meet when you can take the steps to launch an exciting new career for yourself in just one or two short years. Learn how you can make your future brighter as an allied health professional by scheduling an appointment with an NYCI Admissions Advisor. Meet with an Admissions Advisor 20
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