Some workers categorize medical information for purposes such as insurance reimbursement and providing data to clinicians. They may gather patients’ medical histories, symptoms, test results, treatments, and other health information and enter the details into electronic health records (EHR) systems. Medical records specialists have a variety of data entry and recordkeeping tasks.

Ensure confidentiality of patients’ records.

Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting.

Maintain and retrieve records for insurance reimbursement and data analysis.

Use classification systems to assign clinical codes for patients’ diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and related information.

Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy.

Medical records specialists typically do the following: They also may classify and enter patients’ medical information into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files.

Medical records specialists validate and enter patients' health information into electronic health records systems. Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Similar OccupationsĬompare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.Įxplore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists. Job OutlookĮmployment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.Ībout 15,000 openings for medical records specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $47,180 in May 2022. Certification may be required or preferred. Others might need an associate’s or bachelor's degree. Medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some qualify with a high school diploma. How to Become a Medical Records Specialist Medical records specialists typically spend many hours at a computer. Please enable javascript to play this video.

Medical coder salary by state