After fourteen years working as a medical assistant, including time as an office manager, Danielle wanted to focus on the behind-the-scenes portion of healthcare. She wanted to gain knowledge of health information programs to pivot her career, and also to aid her in her future goals of becoming a registered nurse. She chose ANU to get her to this next stage of her career. She joined the Health Information Management program for many reasons. “I chose ANU because, for one, I know that it’s veteran-owned, veteran-founded,” she says. She continues, “when I was researching, I wanted something that had multiple stars, not just general reviews. I wanted something that had strong reviews. And I knew with ANU – looking at the reviews for the college and on social media also – you just see the high reviews for the college. So, for me, that’s what stuck out. And seeing students’ reviews is a huge plus for me.”

Through her experiences with ANU, Danielle’s professors have always stood out to her. Not only is she learning the skills she needs to succeed in her future career, but they have always been there for her to rely on, even when she isn’t in their classes. One who really stands out is Sherry Davis, the very same professor who nominated her to be a Term Trailblazer for Term 254. “I’ve been happy so far! My professors are amazing, I love Mrs. Davis,” she explains. “She’s been there for me through everything, from the beginning to now. Any questions I have, I can just reach out to her with no problem.

It just makes me feel that I’m wanted there as a student – that’s huge!”

Not only that, but Tracy Dingle has stood out to her for the same reasons. “She has high expectations for us as a student, but also if there’s questions, then don’t think we can’t ask [them],” she says of Professor Dingle. No matter what the question is or what Danielle is looking for, her professors have stuck by her side. “They always said, ‘if you’re not in my class, or in any one of the classes I’m teaching, we’ll always be here. Just reach out’.”

In her classes, Danielle is also receiving the experience she needs to jump into the workforce. Through simulations, she has been able to practice the skills she’s learned within her classes. “And doing the simulations we have to do, right now, on the sims chart – it’s fun for me! I sit there and I zoom through a lot of them because I’m like, ‘this is just fun!’ Inputting data, inputting medical history – it’s intriguing to me,” she explains.

“So they’ll give us a patient chart and tell us exactly what to do to document it – under appointment, immunization records, office visits, insurance data – so you’re doing what you would actually be doing in the field! You’re getting the hands-on portion of it.”

Many of Danielle’s initial goals revolved around being there for her family. “My first goal was, obviously, CPC (Certified Professional Coder) in billing and coding. I surpassed that goal – I passed. Ultimately, my goal with that was to work from home and to be able to have the flexibility with my kids,” she says. Upon reaching that goal, Danielle had realized she wanted and could do more. “I’m always one of those that likes to have more than one certification or career – it makes me more well-rounded. So I decided, ‘okay, let me go back for my RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician)’ which will give me another step up with my CPC. Because I’m finding a lot of jobs – if you have both, you have a better opportunity at getting that job.” When she finishes her education at ANU, she hopes to work in a hospital setting. And then, in the future, she hopes to return to school to either become a registered nurse or to move into respiratory therapy, as she’s asthmatic and has been researching that field.

Something that is important to Danielle is the way she has returned to education even while taking care of her family. With children in sports and needing more healthcare, her life remains busy, but even so, she is pursuing education. “I am being that example for all four of my kids. If mommy can go back to school, and I can graduate, and I can get high honors, and I can have the 4.0 GPA – you can, too! It takes a little work ethic, it takes a little bit of effort, it takes the time to study, but anybody can do it. And I’m going to be that example for my kids.”

Would she recommend ANU to others? “I have – I’ve actually referred ANU to several people already! One, for the flexibility. Two, for the professors. And three, for the foundation of what they stand on and the education part of it. It’s worth it in the end.”

Her advice to new students: “Have a plan, have a calendar, you have got to set times aside – you got to [have] time management. You can’t just think you can whip through your assignments in one night – it’s not like that… You just got to take the time out and pick and choose what’s important to you. For me, it’s my classes and passing with a 4.0, and me learning and getting my education. And learning the material! The number one thing I can tell somebody is time management and play with the system until you get it down in what works for you, because everybody is going to be different.”

The post Being the Example: Danielle Garcia’s Path to Education at ANU appeared first on American National University.

After years of hardship and uncertainty, Kayla was encouraged by a friend to take control of her future. She began at a community college and even took a leap outside her comfort zone, moving away from home for the first time to work at Disney in Florida. After stepping back to refocus on her career path, a conversation with someone close to her led her to discover that Medical Billing and Coding was exactly where she wanted to be. “You have so many options in it,” she explains about her choice of career. Kayla enrolled in a local institution in West Virginia and worked in the field for a few months before relocating to North Carolina. However, upon moving, she discovered that her original certification didn’t transfer between states—so she needed a nationally recognized certification to continue her career.

While Kayla had the work experience and the education that she needed to test for her certification upon her move, Kayla is a lifelong learner. She valued the opportunity to learn more about her field to fully immerse herself into it. “I was just doing research, and I knew I wanted it to be all online. I didn’t want to go anywhere in person. And so I found ANU,” Kayla explains upon how she found ANU’s program. “I knew I needed my CPC (Certified Professional Coder certification) so I went through [ANU]. I’m glad I did! I like the support I’ve had.”

“Sherry Davis is probably my favorite person. She was my biggest supporter. Like, before my [certification] exam, I was freaking out. And she was like, ‘you got this!’ She was the first person I told [that] I passed… She was just great!”

“I did have a great experience with ANU,” she explained, reflecting back on her diploma program, “I love the Zoom classes, I like being able to talk to people and having my classmates [around].” Even though she’s already gone through a program prior, she still gained a lot of knowledge and support she needed to succeed from ANU. She explains in her career that she now audits codes doctors put in.  “In the place I’m in now, [the doctors] do all of the coding. I just make sure it’s correct!” She says. This kind of work is something she’s been able to achieve with the education she’s had and the experience she has put into her career.

Her future goals, now that she’s earned her CPC certification, are to continue to work her career and to enjoy her life with a flexible career. She hopes one day to work remotely so she can travel the world, “and I want my job to be able to go with me!”

Would she recommend ANU to others looking to get into Medical Billing and Coding? “I would! I like the support I had from my advisors… they always reach out! Any questions I’ve had, they’ve always been answered.” She even goes on to say that her professors have been great. “I’ve enjoyed all of my professors… they’re just willing to help, and they encourage you, and they support you. Especially Sherry Davis!”

She gives advice to her fellow classmates about the journey it may take to get their perfect career.

“[The jobs] are there, they just want people with experience. You get experience by starting somewhere… school will teach you blue, red, pink, yellow, and black. Working in it is going to teach you turquoise, teal, lime green, hot pink, baby pink, sky blue – it’s going to teach you all the shades of colors… schooling [and experience] is so important.”

The post From Small Town to Big Dreams: Kayla’s Journey with ANU appeared first on American National University.

Current Job Market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment for medical records specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 – which is much faster than the average for all careers, “About 15,000 openings for medical records specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.” This kind of growth indicates that there will be a steady demand for those skilled workers.

What Drives Demand in Medical Billing and Coding?

1. Aging Populations: The aging population brings two stems of demand. First, the existing workers that are growing older that work in the field will retire. Second, the aging population will seek more healthcare than other generations, which in turn generates more patient records and insurance claims.
2. Healthcare Digitization: With technology constantly expanding, the medical field is relying more and more on the digitization of health records. The shift to electronic health records (EHRs) has increased the need for professionals who can accurately code and process medical data.
3. Insurance Expansion: Insurance is more widely available to people today than before. As more people gain access to healthcare services through government programs and insurance plans, the need for billing and coding services grows.

Career Opportunities and Versatility

Wherever there are electronic health records, a medical biller and coder will follow. You may ask is medical billing and coding in demand at my doctor’s office/hospital/insurance company? The answer is a resounding yes. And many of these jobs can be performed remotely or in freelance positions. According to BLS, the largest employers of medical records specialists are hospitals (state, local, and private), physicians offices, management of companies and enterprises, professional/scientific/technical services, and administrative and support services. Most of these jobs are performed on a computer and most specialists work full time.

Expected Salary

As pulled from BLS in September 2024, the median annual salary of a medical records specialist was $48,780 in May of 2023. With experience and certification, this number can increase, making it a lucrative option for those interested in a healthcare career without direct patient care. These projections do not guarantee a salary but is rather an estimation of what a medical biller and coder can make.

How to Get Started

American National University offers a Medical Billing and Coding diploma program that students can complete in as little as 9 months. Learn how to complete and submit medical insurance forms, maintain medical charts, ethical and legal requirements, and working with sensitive information like patient records. You will also be eligible to take the Medical Biller certification exam through the American Association of Medical Billers (AAMB), or the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam through the American academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Additionally, students are eligible to sit for American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification exam or AHIMA’s Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification exam. In our courses, we will answer yes to the question: is medical billing and coding in demand?

Not only that, but your credits could lead you straight into our Health Information Management associate degree program.

So, is medical billing and coding in demand? Absolutely. With the growing healthcare industry, an aging population, and advances in medical technology, the need for skilled professionals in this field will continue to rise. If you’re considering a career in healthcare that offers flexibility, job security, and competitive wages, medical billing and coding is a great option. To learn more about our program, go to virginia.an.edu.

American National University – Be live, in class, from anywhere.

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Ellen Fuhrken’s Time at ANU

After saving a dog falling from an exam table and gaining a back injury in the process, Ellen Fuhrken needed a career change. With so many years as a veterinary assistant, she decided her best leap was into the human medical field. Along with that, Ellen moved into her mother’s home just about an hour away from American National University’s Salem campus. With ANU’s affordability, Ellen made the plunge into our Medical Billing and Coding program. And her hard work and dedication to her new career field has earned her the title of Medical Billing and Coding Student of the Term for term 232!

When Ellen began searching for her new career path out of veterinary science, she found interest in Medical Billing and Coding programs. Once she saw an advertisement for ANU online, she found that we were her cost-effective option. “ANU was the first one that popped up,” she said of her research, “and they were the most affordable! And I was like, ‘Alright! Let’s give them a try!’ So, it worked out really well.” Her previous years working in veterinary science also helped her transition into this program because of the familiarity with terminology, drugs, and tests she performed. Not only is Ellen satisfied with the price of her program, but she enjoys the flexibility as well. When her classes for her term were put together, she could take her classes according to her schedule. “It’s not like you have to take this class on this day, it’s like ‘hey, these are the options and I have others.’” If she can’t attend a class on a certain day, her student services advisor can give her other days and times to fit with her schedule.

Even though she’s only in her second term, Ellen believes that her classes are preparing her to enter the Medical Billing and Coding workforce. She describes that her first term gave her the bearings of the program, where in the second term she’s in the thick of coding classes. Her textbooks, which were sent to her physically and some electronically as included in her tuition, have been invaluable to her education. “While I’m learning the lessons, I’ve got the book right in front of me, and I can search for codes. The books are really helpful.” Ellen describes that the books online are also helpful in how they’re laid out and how they match with her classes.

Because of her experience in her classes, she warns, “if you’re going to go for coding, you absolutely need to get an education on it. Don’t just try to do it yourself.”

Ellen boasts her instructors for their dedication to their students. One she mentions, Amy Smith, who taught her Anatomy and Physiology class, went above and beyond for her students. “She is fantastic… she cares about her students. She cares that we pass, she cares that we succeed,” she says. “She’s personable, she’s a regular person. She’s not an instructor that’s just lecturing at you. She talks to you and she’s real.”

Ellen says she was initially intimidated to take a class like anatomy and physiology because she thought it would be a difficult class. However, she says her experience at ANU was fun and enjoyable as she learned the material.

In her future after graduation, Ellen envisions going back to school because she enjoys learning, “I’ve always considered myself a life-long learner.”

Ellen definitely recommends ANU to those looking to earn their higher education.

“They’re affordable, and easy, and flexible. I’ve had a lot of support. The first term, I got a phone call every week going ‘hey, how are you doing? Do you need anything?’ I got emails… The support is fantastic.”

Her advice to new students at ANU: “Make sure you have your priorities in order. Make sure you know how to manage your time. Time management is huge… Make sure you know what you want, and you have priorities.”

The post Learning for Life appeared first on American National University.

Amanda Reed’s Story with ANU

For Amanda Reed, earning her education was not only a conquest to better her future, but a chance for her to show her children that school is possible at any time and any age. She enrolled in American National University’s Health Information Management associate degree program, to not only show her children that school is for anyone at any time, but to attain her goal of earning her education to better her future. And through ANU’s eLearning platform, Amanda has been able to balance taking care of her three children and starting a new job while attending her classes.

When it came to earning her education to achieve her personal goals, Amanda chose ANU because of our 100% online education programs. Her children were a big part of why she wanted to attend an online program, “if they’re sick, they can be at home while I’m in school, and I don’t have to miss class.” Not only that, but Amanda wants to be able to work from home for the same reasons – and Medical Billing and Coding, a core foundation to the Health Information Management associate degree, provided that opportunity for her. “My kids are all very active in sports and I don’t want to miss that, so with a work from home job, I have that flexibility. And medical billing and coding has a lot of [opportunity].”

Through her classes, Amanda has found success because of her instructors. “ANU has really good professors,” she says. She believes she is being prepared to enter the workforce because of their attention to their students. “Dr. Dingle has been my favorite – she’s very well-spoken and taught us to be well-spoken. She just made it a professional class… I feel like the professors and the school itself gives you that professional aspect.” Amanda can work at her own pace within her classes, and she’s able to do most of her classwork during the day when her children are in school. “That’s my favorite thing about ANU – I can prioritize when I get my work done.”

With ANU’s term structure, where a term begins every ten weeks, Amanda is set to graduate by next year. “I like the ten-week classes because you learn a lot and it is quick, and it goes by quickly as well… at [an in-person] school, it’s hard to get back in the mindset for school because of the gaps in breaks.” She believes that her ethics class had a profound impact on her because it allowed her to not only speak her mind without judgement, but also allowed her to open her mind to other opinions of her classmates. She says her classes have also allowed her to build a network with her classmates, “I am building a bond with them… you make those friends, you message them like ‘hey I don’t understand this, can you help me?’”

Her future goals include finding a job in Health Information Management that she can do from home so that she can be with her family. “Family is the most important to me.”

Amanda would recommend ANU to others looking to pursue their higher education. “With online school, it makes life a little bit easier. It makes it easier to achieve those goals.”

Her advice to new students at ANU: “Reach out to your teachers, they are there for you, they will get in contact with you.” She advises students to not procrastinate and to keep on top of their classes.

The post Making Time with Family While in School: Amanda’s Story with ANU appeared first on American National University.