Chapter 1 : education and training for health insurance specialists

Health Insurance Specialists receive education in

• Anatomy and Physiology

  • So they understand what they are reading in order to code correctly

• Diagnosis and Procedure/Service coding

  • Learn to use the coding tools

• Verbal and Written Communication

  • Must be excellent in order to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals

• Critical Thinking

  • Necessary

• Data Entry

  • To ensure mistakes are avoided and programs are used correctly and claims are submitted according to federal regulations

• Internet Access

  • To network, research, etc

• Health Information Management

  • The rules and laws around working with patient information

• Medical Terminology

  • So they understand what they are reading in order to code correctly

• Pharmacology

  • So they understand what they are reading in order to code correctly

• Coding and Reimbursement

  • How it all works

• Insurance Processing

  • To understand how reimbursement is facilitated

• Student Internship

  • For hands-on experience in an office