Medical billing specialist programs are meant to provide only the basic information a graduate will need for an entry-level position. Therefore, there are few prerequisites for these programs. Schools do ask that students have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. It's also recommended that students have a strong background in the rules of English grammar, style and spelling as most of the coursework students will encounter and entry-level work graduates will complete will involve English composition.
The coursework you complete in a medical billing specialist program will train you in the areas of medical practice and terminology and give you the necessary business skills you will need to be a successful employee at a health care office. Some of your classes may include medical terminology, health information management fundamentals and medical software applications. You'll find that most schools also require that you complete an internship near the end of the program with an organization that provides medical billing services.
The job prospects for a medical billing specialist are quite good. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that the medical records and health information sectors -- which includes medical billing -- would experience approximately 20 percent job growth in employment from 2008 to 2018. Also according to the BLS, in 2009 the average salary for workers in this field was approximately $34,000. As a medical billing specialist you could find work in such settings as hospitals, insurance companies and doctors' offices.
Once you obtain a certificate from a medical billing specialist school, you can gain further education from a professional organization. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers specialist programs that will prepare you to acquire such titles as registered health information administrator, certified coding associate or certified health data analyst. To be admitted to one of these specialist programs you will need prior certification in medical billing or a related degree and before you are certified you will have to pass an exam.