What is the difference between medical coding and health information technology
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When most people think of healthcare careers, they immediately consider nursing or becoming a doctor. However, there are plenty of other healthcare-focused careers that don’t involve direct patient care but are critical to quality care. Two of these career paths include health information management and health information technology. Show
What’s the difference? Is there any difference at all? Here, we compare and contrast the career paths so you can decide which one is right for you. What Is Health Information Management?Health information management is the most complex of the two career paths. It involves improving patient outcomes through medical records. Health information managers create, collect and analyze health records, use software to improve outcomes, manage the quality of recordkeeping processes and more. Because health information management is a complex career that requires both business and healthcare knowledge, most careers will require a Bachelor’s degree. What Is Health Information Technology?Health information technology is a bit different and slightly more focused than health information management. Health IT specialists are responsible for simply tracking patient information such as their medical histories, systems and test results inside EMRs. Many will also use specialized coding such as CPT/HCPCS and ICD-10 to enter health conditions, procedures and diagnoses. Their main responsibility is to ensure patient health records are accurate at all times. Another key difference is that health IT only requires an Associate’s degree, which will take two years to complete instead of four. Which Career Path Is Right for You?If you want to work in healthcare but don’t believe you would enjoy direct patient care, you can’t go wrong with either of these career paths. Both are critical behind-the-scenes roles that move patient care forward. You should consider how fast you want to start your new career. If you want to get started fairly quickly, health information technology might be best as it requires an Associate’s degree. If you want to take your time when it comes to education, health information management might be a great choice as it requires a Bachelor’s degree. Join the Medical Field With Support From CambridgeIf you’re ready to join the field of health information management or health information technology, we’re here to support you. We offer an Associate’s degree in health information technology and a Bachelor’s degree in health information management. To learn more about the programs or to apply today, give us a call at 877-206-4279 or send us a message. Are you interested in a career in a growing field? Would you like to learn the most up-to-date patient-record technology in the medical field? Do you enjoy being in an office environment? Would you like the opportunity to work from home? If so, the Health Information Technology program may be the perfect fit for you!  Graduates with a HIT Associate degree are eligible to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) examination. The HIT program is designed to provide students flexible scheduling by offering an online connected learning opportunity with faculty and remote learning environments, with the exception of the work-based learning practicum. HIT Medical Records CodingObtain your HIT Medical Records Coding Certificate in as little as one year at Gateway. Medical coders analyze patient records to determine the correct diagnoses and procedure codes for many different types of healthcare facilities. The certificate can prepare you to earn a coding credential such as CCS, CCA, or CPC. You can also complete your certificate while earning credits towards an Associate degree in HIT. The HIT Coding certificate is offered 100% online with connected learning opportunities with faculty. The work-based practicum will be completed in an approved facility in collaboration with our Program Coordinator. What are my career choices?
Where can I work?
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?Health Information Technology - AAS: 60-64 Total credit hoursAcademic Plan HIT Coding - Certificate: 31-37 Total Credit Hours Academic PlanRelease of Information Data Specialist - Certificate: 12-16 Total Credit Hours Academic Plan View moreLength of ProgramYou can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status. This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements. Program Statistics for 2019-2020Retention rate: 76% Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)This program is participating in Gateway's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and is committed to enhancing employability skills for students. Click here for more information about our QEP. Is health information management the same as coding?Health information management involves data in a broader sense. It would include the same information as medical coders and billers use but go beyond it. For example, health information management covers all patient data while certified billers and coders stick with payment processing information.
What are the three types of health information technology?Electronic medical record systems (EMRs, EHRs, and PHRs). Electronic prescribing. Telehealth.
What type of medical coding pays the most?What specialty in medical coding pays the most? Certified professional compliance officers earn an average of $77,190 a year, followed by certified professional coder-instructor professionals, who make $73,620. Certified documentation expert-outpatient coders also make an average annual salary exceeding $70,000.
Which degree is best for medical coding?A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or health information management is a longer but more complete path to working in medical coding.
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