One third of the billing specialists' jobs were in health services, mostly in physicians' offices. Transportation and wholesale trade industries each accounted for 1 out of 10 jobs. Most of the remaining jobs were found in manufacturing or retail trade. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Employers typically require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Although many employers prefer to hire billing specialists with a higher level of education, it is only required in a few places.
Most employers prefer workers who are computer-literate.
Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software is especially valuable, as are experience working in an office and good interpersonal skills. Medical billing specialists often learn the skills they need in high schools, business schools, and community colleges. Business education programs offered by these institutions typically include courses in medical office insurance, anatomy, physiology, diagnostic and procedural coding, typing, word processing, business communications, records management, and office systems and procedures. Some entrants into medical billing occupations are college graduates with degrees in business, finance, or liberal arts. Although a degree is rarely required, many graduates accept entry-level clerical positions to get into a particular company or to enter the finance or accounting field with the hope of being promoted to professional or managerial positions.