Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administration workers handle the business side of medical care, including medical billing and coding, patient scheduling, records and office management.
See healthcare administration jobs
What does a healthcare administrator do?
These workers keep medical offices and hospitals running without providing hands-on patient care. Medical coders translate diagnoses and procedures into standard codes. Billing specialists submit claims and follow up with insurers. Front office and patient access staff schedule appointments and verify insurance. Practice managers oversee the office. Several of these roles suit people with office, finance or healthcare backgrounds.
Typical responsibilities
- Schedule appointments and register patients
- Verify insurance coverage
- Assign medical codes to records
- Submit claims and follow up on denials
- Maintain accurate, confidential health records
- Answer patient billing questions
Skills and qualifications
Useful skills
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of medical terms
- Understanding of insurance and billing
- Computer and health record systems
- Confidentiality and privacy rules
- Clear communication with patients
Common qualifications
- A high school diploma for many front office roles
- A postsecondary certificate for many coding and medical records roles
- Coding certifications from recognized professional bodies are preferred by many employers
- Practice manager roles usually expect healthcare office experience
Working conditions
- Where the work happens
- Hospitals, physician offices, clinics, insurers and billing companies. Coding and billing work is sometimes done remotely after experience is gained.
- Physical demands
- Mostly seated computer and phone work.
- Remote work
- Sometimes available, depending on the employer. Remote healthcare administration jobs
- Part-time work
- Sometimes available, depending on the employer. Part-time healthcare administration jobs
- Pay
- Pay varies by employer and location, and we don't estimate it. Current listings that state pay show it on each job. For national figures, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in a new tab).
How to get started
- Choose a focus: front office, billing, coding or management.
- Take a course in medical terminology if you do not already know it.
- For coding, look at certificate programs at community colleges and the certifications employers in your area ask for.
- Start in an in-person front office or billing role if remote coding jobs ask for experience you do not yet have.
- Be careful with training programs that promise remote coding jobs; research them before paying.
Experience that transfers
- Nursing or healthcare support: Clinical knowledge is a big advantage in coding, auditing and case review.
- Insurance claims: Claims processing and coverage rules carry over to medical billing.
- Administrative work: Scheduling, records and office systems are central to the role.
- Bookkeeping: Accuracy with payments and accounts helps in billing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do medical coding from home?
Some medical coders work remotely, but many employers want coding experience first. Plan on completing training and possibly a certification, and be open to starting in an office. Be cautious with programs that promise a remote coding job after a quick course.
Do I need a healthcare background?
Not for every role. Front office, scheduling and billing jobs often train people with general office or customer service experience. Coding requires learning medical terminology and coding systems, which a certificate program covers. A clinical background helps but is not required.
Is this a good option if I want to avoid physical work?
Yes. Healthcare administration roles are generally desk-based, with no hands-on patient care. They let you work in healthcare while sitting at a computer or front desk. Read each listing for any physical requirements.